The North Carolina State Fair's mission is to showcase and promote the state's agriculture, agribusiness, arts, crafts and culture through the annual agricultural fair. The Fair offers the agricultural community a venue to showcase its crops, livestock and new technology. The Fair is also an opportunity for the state's ever-increasing urban population to learn about agriculture through educational and competitive exhibits in the areas of livestock, horticulture, cooking, folk art and much more. More than $700,000 in prize money is awarded each year.
Special Event Days:
Thursday, Oct. 17 - $8 Student Admission for NC State Students. Students at NC State get admission for just $8 by showing their NC State Student ID card at the gate! This offer is only available at the gate on Thursday, Oct.17 and is valid only for students.
Sunday, Oct 20 - accessABILITY Day presented by Bandwidth.
Running from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, visitors can expect the following on accessABILITY Day:
Rides and games will open at 9 a.m. and will operate with no lights or music playing.
Vendors will operate with no lights or music at their booths.
Music stages will only play acoustic sets with light amplification.
The public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements.
Activities on accessABILITY Day include:
A “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” will be available to guests in the Graham Building with tables/chairs, low lighting and soft music playing for those who need to take a break from the busy atmosphere outside (9a.m. - 5 p.m.).
Guests can compete in specially designed inclusive and/or adaptive “on the spot” competitions (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.).
Noise cancelling headphones will be available to check out in the “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” for those who need them (9a.m. - 5 p.m.).
Tuesday, Oct 22 - Senior Citizens’ Day. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, seniors ages 65+ get free admission to the Fair! Beginning at 9 a.m., while supplies last, Bojangles' biscuits and coffee will be served on the Dorton Patio near the Waterfall at the Senior Fun Fest. A program with Commissioner Steve Troxler and music will kick-off at 10 a.m.
Accessible parking is available on a first come, first served basis outside Gate 10. Access the parking lot via Trinity Road. Overflow parking and overflow handicap parking will be available at Carter Finley Stadium (Gate A). Trams will be available to move fairgoers from the parking lot to Dorton Arena. Buses may drop off passengers at Gate 1, the closest gate to all the activities in Dorton Arena and then move to Carter-Finley Stadium for parking.
Wednesday, Oct 23 - Military Appreciation Day. The N.C. State Fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. Military for their service to the country on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Join us for a parade through the grounds at 10 a.m. Starting in the carnival midway, the parade will make its way through Kiddieland, past the Scott Building and back through the carnival midway.
Thursday, Oct 24 - Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day. Fairgoers can bring six cans of food to the fair gates to exchange for free admission.