The fairgrounds is hosting a pair of multi-cultural events this weekend. Come join the fun at the Chinese New Year Celebration, the Vietnamese New Year Celebration or both. The fairgrounds will also be busy preparing for one of its largest shows of the year, The Southern Farm Show. Information on all events is below.
Come celebrate the Year of the Monkey this weekend
Chinese New Year Celebration –
The Triangle’s largest Chinese New Year Festival will be held in Dorton Arena on Saturday. Come celebrate the Year of the Monkey with Chinese and Asian cultural performances such as the famous lion and dragon dances, songs, traditional Chinese music, exhibits, food and merchandise vendors offering arts and crafts. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 in advance and $8 at door. Children ages 6 and under are admitted free. Purchase tickets in advance at www.nctacas.org and at many local Asian grocery stores.
TET Festival (Vietnamese New Year Celebration)
The Vietnamese American Association of Raleigh presents its annual cultural celebration featuring food, vendors, martial arts demonstrations and traditional musical performances Saturday and Sunday in the Scott Building. Concert/ Da Vu is Saturday from 6:30 p.m to midnight and features national artists Thai Hoang (TT Mu’a Rung), Helena Ngoc Hong (California), Hoang Anh Thu (TT Asia), Thanh Hang (TT Mu’a Rung), and Mai Thanh So’n (TT Asia). Concert admission is $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Festival/ Hoi Cho is Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features traditional food, vendors, stage performances, children’s games and lion dances. Festival Admission is $5. Admission is free for children under 10 and adults over 70).
Raleigh Flea Market
Raleigh Flea Market will be selling antiques, furniture, collectibles and more in the Commercial and Education buildings and outside grounds from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Coming up:
Get ready for the Southern Farm Show.
Southern Farm Show, Wednesday, Feb. 3 – Friday, Feb. 5
The largest agriculture exposition in the Carolinas and Virginia. A major expansion onto the midway of the N.C. State Fairgrounds means even more equipment, experts and ideas. Filling the N.C. State Fairgrounds, the show features over 500 manufacturers with expert advice and the latest farm equipment, supplies and services. Hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Free admission
2016 NC Ag Development Forum – Thursday, Feb. 4
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hosting two events in the Holshouser Building aimed at farmers and agribusinesses.
The 11th annual Agricultural Development Forum will focus on N.C. farm families’ preparation for the future and innovative solutions to hunger and food insecurity. It will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., the department will host an information session about new federal food safety rules.
Admission to both events is free and lunch will be provided, but registration is requested by Jan. 29. Register online at www.ncagr.gov/agforum. Individuals with questions may contact Christina Waggett at 919-707-3008. The forum is sponsored by Publix. Both events are being held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show.
Southern National Draft Horse Pull – Friday, Feb. 5
Giant Percheron and Belgian draft horses from across the nation compete for prize money at the Hunt Horse Complex. Pre-show entertainment includes horse-drawn equipment demonstrations, Cowboy Mounted Shooting and Coon Mule Jump. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m.. Admission is $10 in advance (available at the Graham Building during the Southern Farm Show) or $12 at the door.
