A favorite part of the N.C. State Fair for many fairgoers is visiting the thousands of ribbon-winning exhibits across the grounds. The North Carolina State Fair is known for its agricultural roots, especially among its competitive exhibits. The competitive exhibits include 23 competition departments, with over 150 divisions and over 2,000 classes, requiring someone to … Read more
From the livestock shows to the baking competitions to the music stages, the best North Carolina talent is on display at the North Carolina State Fair. This year, several exhibitors drew inspiration from a pop-u-lar movie ahead of the upcoming theater release of its sequel. With iconic scenes and song lyrics on painted rocks, LEGOS, … Read more
With dozens of rides, all the best food, countless animal exhibits, crafters and endless entertainment, a visit to the North Carolina State Fair is an all-day affair. Whether you just chugged your third lemonade on the Midway or finished another apple cider in Heritage Circle, you’ll need to find a restroom at some point during … Read more
Each fall, the N.C. State Fair offers unparalleled entertainment with thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights. No two days are the same, and fairgoers can make their visit unique to them. Several ticket package offerings allow fairgoers to customize their experience even further. Maybe you … Read more
Over the past couple of blog posts in this series I’ve given you all plenty of tips about transportation, photos and everything else a newcomer might need to know about the N.C. State Fair. At this point you should hopefully be prepared for your day at the fair and have a good idea of what … Read more
My name is Sydney Phillips, aka Fried Pecan Pie, and I’m the new State Fair public relations intern here at the N.C. Department of Agriculture. Now, before I tell you a little more about myself, I want to explain why I chose my persona for this blog. I’m a Raleigh native who’s been going to … Read more
The N.C. State Fair excels at showcasing the many talents local North Carolinians offer. The fairgrounds host countless competitions and exhibits highlighting delicious dishes, homegrown crops, homemade crafts and performing arts acts. One of these attractions is the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival. In 1928, the traditional festival was founded in Asheville by Bascom Lamar … Read more
For 20 years, the youngest of fairgoers have trekked across the N.C. State Fairgrounds to a garden that is ripe for the picking. They grab their baskets and step into the boots of a farmer, harvesting tomatoes, corn, beans, onions and more. While Field of Dreams has seen some changes and additions through the years, … Read more
Homegrown Music Fest is returning to the fairgrounds with a stacked lineup of gifted performers, including high tenor singer-songwriter Ben James. He will take the Heritage Circle stage on Wednesday, Oct. 23, to showcase his authentic country sound with bluegrass and gospel influences. Originally from Icard, Ben’s love of music stemmed from growing up in … Read more
Since its inception in 2002, the State Fair Pottery Expo tent has brought the work of dozens of North Carolina potters to Raleigh for fairgoers to admire and purchase for their own collections. The exhibit has grown every year, according to Don Hudson, a Sanford potter who started the exhibit in 2002. In 2023, the … Read more