2020 Horse Show spotlight: a dressage surprise

Jenna Smith has been riding horses on-and-off since she was about 12 years old. Now at age 23, she continues to find surprises – like the pleasant surprise to hear the N.C. State Fair Horse Shows would continue this year even if the fair did not. Her championship ribbon from the Oct. 23-25 show was a pretty nice surprise too. “Overall I think it went really well. We had some things we definitely could have improved on, but I acknowledge that I could have improved on it, so I wasn’t frustrated with whatever placing we got,” Smith said after racking…

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Weekend Update: Dinosaurs: Time Trek, India Fest, Puppapalooza and more

Puppies and cats and dinosaurs? Oh my! It’s that kind of weekend at the fairgrounds where there’s something for everyone. Visitors to the State Fairgrounds can travel back to prehistoric times with the Dinosaurs: Time Trek exhibit on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Graham Building. This event will feature a life-like interactive dinosaur exhibit as well as activities such as Design-A-Dino, Prehistoric Poop and Race Through Time Labyrinth. Visit the Time Trek Theater to meet baby dinosaurs. This is also a dragon-edition event featuring famous dragons and lore….

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Weekend Update: Auto fest, autocross and more

It’s a full house at the fairgrounds. Come on out and browse: The Carolina Collector Auto Fest takes over Dorton Arena, the Graham Building and the grounds between the buildings this weekend. This event is celebrating its 32nd year and will include a swap meet with more than 100 vendors and an indoor and outdoor car corral for buying and selling. Friday and Saturday will have car and truck shows for 1900-1989 vehicle years. On Sunday, the inaugural XTREME Car & Truck Showdown will be held in the Graham Building. Come see the baddest, coolest, tallest, most customized, wildest cars and trucks around for…

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Weekend Update: March 10-12

Need a little variety? Head on out to the fairgrounds this weekend. We’ve got something for everyone. The Carolina Collector Auto Fest takes over Dorton Arena, the Graham Building and the grounds between the buildings this weekend. This event is celebrating its 31st year and will include a swap meet with more than 100 vendors, indoor and outdoor car corral for buying and selling. Friday and Saturday will have car and truck shows for 1900-1989 vehicle years. On Sunday, the inaugural XTREME Car & Truck Showdown will be held in the Graham Building. Come see the baddest, coolest, tallest, most customized, wildest…

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Weekend Update: Dec. 30-Jan. 1

The Raleigh Indoor Holiday Classic Horse Show is today and Saturday at 8 a.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex. Admission is free. Old North State Antique Gun & Military Collector Show is Saturday and Sunday in the Scott Building. Antique guns, U.S. and foreign military arms and memorabilia will be exhibited, bought, sold, and traded. These include WWI, WWII, Civil War, and other conflicts. Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 12 and free for children age 6 and under. The Raleigh…

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Weekend Update: Sept. 30-Oct. 2

We’re in full gear getting ready for the opening of the State Fair on Oct. 13, so there are no events on the main fairgrounds until November, including the Raleigh Flea Market. There are a few events happening at the Hunt Horse Complex: Riders of all disciplines will be competing in horse shows this weekend at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. The N.C. Quarter Horse Association’s Tar Heel Fall Classic is Friday through Sunday at 8 a.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex. Admission is free. The NCQHA 2016 Tar Heel Quarter Horse Fall Classic Show is Friday through Sunday, with an estimated…

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Weekend Update: Sept. 16-18

Supporting North Carolina’s firefighters and paramedics can be as simple as buying a concert ticket. The Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of N.C. Presents Neal McCoy in Concert Saturday at 8 p.m. in Dorton Arena. General admission is $28, and doors open at 7 p.m. Buy tickets at www.pffpnc.net or at Dorton Arena Box Office beginning at 5 p.m. on the day of the concert. Other events this weekend include: The 59th Annual N.C. State Championship Horse Show is Thursday through Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. in the Hunt Horse Complex. Admission is free to morning sessions. Whiplash will perform each night…

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Weekend Update: Sept. 9-11

Opa! The 35th Annual Greek Festival is Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday  from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Graham Building. Adult admission is $3, but you can find a coupon for free on their website. Admission for children ages 13 to 19 and seniors is $2, while children ages 12 and under are admitted free. This event offers authentic Greek food, live music and traditional Greek dance groups. Part of event proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Go to http://raleighgreekfestival.com/ for more. Other events this weekend include: Meredith College…

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Weekend Update: July 29-31

Check out the horses at the Raleigh Summer Dressage I & II Show Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Barn E Ring of the Hunt Horse Complex. Admission is free. Also coming up: The Sportscard and Sports Memorabilia Show is Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Scott Building. Admission is $5 per day and $7 for a weekend pass; admission for ages 15 and under is free. The event features over 80…

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Weekend Update: July 22-24

  Parents seeking to outfit their ever-growing children are in luck because the popular Kids Exchange Consignment Sale is this weekend in the Graham Building and the Exposition Center. Sale hours are Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and most of the clothes, toys and other items are a third of their original price. Register to sell items at www.kidsexchange.net. All items are marked half-price on Sunday. Other events include: The Artisan and Craftsman Benefit Expo is Saturday from 10 a.m….

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