Every October, the NC State Fair comes to town, attracting nearly 1 million visitors to the Triangle — the record was 2010, with 1,091,877 people attending over 11 days. What does all of that traffic mean for the community? Well for one thing, the fair turns a huge profit, which funds the fairgrounds site for a whole year without taxpayer assistance. For another, it drives revenue for local businesses, hotels + restaurants, with Wake County visitor volume and dollars spent on lodging and food peaking annually in the fall. 🍂
The fair was first held by the State Agricultural Society in 1853. It was moved to its current site in west Raleigh (1025 Blue Ridge Rd.) in 1928, where it’s been held ever since (except for a 4-year closure during WWII). With 344 acres of total space — about half the size of all of downtown Raleigh — the fair plays host to a wide variety of events, including home styling exhibits, livestock shows, grandstand performances, vendor stalls + all the rides and games.
This year promises a slew of new foods like deep fried garlic cheese curds, sloppy mac tater skins + chicken corn fritters (👉get the full list here), not to mention entertainment, including aerial acrobats and Street Drum Corps. So how can you make the most of your experience? 🎡
Admission: General admission for adults aged 13 to 64 is $13. Children 12 and under and seniors 65+ are admitted for free. Insider’s tip: Buy your tickets online today or tomorrow for a discounted rate. 🎟️ The Kegs, Corks + Pop pass will also get you two samples of NC craft beer or wine. 🍷
Parking: GoTriangle offers a $5 park-and-ride shuttle service along various routes in Raleigh, Cary + Garner. Click here for info and parking maps near the fairgrounds.
FAQs: Yes, you can bring food and drink into the fair in small carries — all bags are subject to search. Yes, there is an armed services discount: tickets are $8 with a military ID. Yes, reentry is allowed on the same day, as long as you get your hand stamped at the gate. No, you cannot bring in glass bottles or alcoholic beverages. No, pets are not permitted (not even emotional support chickens). 🐓
Freebies: There are more than 100 ways to entertain yourself and your family without dropping big bucks on every ticketed event. 💸 Some of our favorites include age-based scavenger hunts (pro tip: download the lists here before you go), the 72nd annual Folk Festival celebrating NC’s musical heritage, on-the-spot competitions (how far can you fling a rubber chicken?) + the Military Appreciation Day Parade at 11 a.m. on Oct. 23rd. 📅
Grandstand: Be sure to save the dates for these main events. The Tractor Pull will be held Oct. 18th + 19th at noon and 6 p.m. 🚜Motorsports Mayhem will be held Oct. 25th to 27th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per show. 👉Click here to get yours.
Animals: Since the fair is managed by the NC Department of Agriculture, spending at least some of your visit with furry friends is a must. 🐷 The Expo Center will have baby animals and their mamas including cows, pigs, goats + rabbits. Plus, don’t miss the pollinator exhibit where you can learn how to create your own backyard hive. 🐝
Food: Did you know peanuts are still one of the biggest cash crops in NC? 🥜You can grab samples at the Commercial + Education buildings, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Look for classic fare like cotton candy, hushpuppies, kettle corn and fudge throughout + don’t miss the bread-baking demonstrations from Neomonde and more than 20 new fair foods from local restaurants. 🍢
Fun+Games: While the SkyGazer ferris wheel may be the jewel of the fair, there are also nearly 100 other rides to help you get your whirl on + fair games, a fun house, and an ongoing flower show if that’s more your speed. 🌸 Get your wrist bands in advance to skip the line.
