Public House back and better than ever

If you’re looking to sample N.C. beer and wine when the N.C. State Fair returns in October, it might just be a bit easier to find. The North Carolina Craft Brewer’s Guild’s Public House, the only purveyors of alcohol on the fairgrounds, has a new home on the south side of Dorton Arena. Previously housed in Heritage Circle, the guild is the industry association for independent craft brewers in the state, and features a variety of products from local breweries. Director Rich Greene said that the move will allow the guild to expand its offerings. “Heritage Circle is a great…

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Got To Be NC takes on a new look and feel at the 2021 N.C. State Fair

The Got To Be NC tent at the N.C. State Fair is a sought after attraction each year. From delicious food products, like Bob’s Smokin’ Southern BBQ and Zulia’s Bakery, to other locally made products, like soap from Blinking Toad Workshop, the Got To Be NC area is a fair favorite to vendors and attendees alike. This year, vendors will take on a larger space in the Dorton Arena, aka the Got To Be NC Pavilion! Dorton Arena is the most iconic building on the N.C. State fairgrounds in Raleigh and sits proudly in the middle of all the action…

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You’ve Got to Be at the Got to Be NC Festival This Weekend!

With more than 100 tractors, North Carolina food and beverages, music, a carnival and free kids’ activities, the Got to Be NC Festival is an event you don’t want to miss at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, May 17-19. “The antique tractor and farm equipment display, featuring a daily tractor parade, and the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace are two of the unique highlights of the festival,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We have one of the largest antique tractor displays in the Southeast, and the marketplace features around 80 North Carolina companies offering the opportunity to sample the…

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Don’t just want to be NC, ‘Got to Be NC’

Locally produced cotton T-shirts, candles, muscadine juices, sweet potatoes, sauces, dry rubs. These are just a few of the products 30 vendors are showcasing in the Got to Be NC tent at the State Fair. Dozens of fairgoers gathered in the tent to sample and ultimately purchase some of North Carolina’s best. There was one that stuck out to me from all of the amazing vendors: Ms. Anne. As I’m taking photos of a woman sampling some maple butter, a smiling man approaches me and says, “That’s Anne.” I look up to see a stack of “Anne’s” products sitting neatly…

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Weekend Update: Nov. 23-25

With the holiday shopping season under way, don’t forget to visit the N.C. State Fairgrounds to check things off your list. Read on for more details about the events happening this weekend. A Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival It’s a complete holiday experience for the entire family in the Graham Building Friday to Sunday. The event will feature live holiday music, Santa and cooking demonstrations, as well as original artwork and crafts. Join in the fun Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors…

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