N.C. State Fair

Don't forget to buy tickets in advance and save money! 💸

From now until Oct. 16th, save money on admission tickets, ride wristbands and more. Get yours today!

Buy tickets here: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024/buytixnow

Don't miss your opportunity to register for the "Not Your Mama's Pimento Cheese" Home Chef Challenge, sponsored by PTA North Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers INC!

Show off your best pimento cheese recipe for the judges and take your chance at winning the blue ribbon and cash prize. This challenge will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26th at 11 a.m. in the north side lobby of Dorton Arena,

Deadline to register is THIS SUNDAY, Sept. 15th, so get started today on our website under General Competitions!

Only TWO DAYS left to register for livestock and general competitions at the N.C. State Fair this year!

From clogging and handicrafts, to dairy cattle and market lambs, we have many opportunities for you to win a blue ribbon this year. Find more information at the link below and register today! Deadline for all competitions is Sept. 15th.

Competition info: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024/competitions

The Daily Schedule is now online! Start planning all your must see and do items for a fun filled day at the fair, including music, entertainment and more. 🎉🎡

Daily Schedule here: https://www.ncagr.gov/nc-state-fair-2024-daily-schedule/open

The countdown to the 2024 N.C. State Fair is both maddening and exhilarating! 😱🎉

Only five more weeks until all your favorite rides, food, music and more. What are you most excited for?!

Are you ready to show off your creative cooking skills in the "Ain't No Thing but a Chicken Wing" Home Chef Challenge, sponsored by House of Raeford Farms?! 👨‍🍳

House of Raeford takes pride in producing high-quality chicken products in eastern North Carolina. They are excited for the Home Chef Challenge this year, not only because it helps spread awareness about their company and products, but also because they love to see how people use their products in creative and delicious ways.

Learn more about the company in the blog post below and register to enter the Home Chef Challenge competition by Sunday, Sept. 15th!

Read more: https://deepfried.ncstatefair.org/home-chef-challenge-aint-no-thing-but-a-chicken-wing-sponsored-by-house-of-raeford/

The Home Grown Music Fest Lineup is here!!! 🎤🎉🎼

We have so many talented groups gracing both the Curtis Media Group Live & Local Waterfall Stage and the N.C. State Fair Pitzer Heritage Circle Stage this year at the fair! Check the daily schedule in October for specific showtimes and mark your calendars to catch all your favorites! Deep South Entertainment

Meet our 2024 N.C. State Fair Farm Families of the Day, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co.! 🎉🚜

We are so excited to recognize these hard-working families each day of the fair! Look for our social media and blog posts each day to learn more about the families, hear the PA announcements and see the banners recognizing them across the grounds, and maybe even meet one of the families on your trip to the fair!

Join us in congratulating our farm families and thanking them for all that they do!

- Thursday, Oct. 17th: Shoaf Farms in Winston-Salem
- Friday, Oct. 18th: Red Barn Farm in Stanfield
- Saturday, Oct. 19th: Flavor Full Farms in Hendersonville
- Sunday, Oct. 20th: Maribees Boer Goats in Rockwell
- Monday, Oct. 21st: Walker Farms in Concord
- Tuesday, Oct. 22nd: Pope Farms - Knightdale in Knightdale
- Wednesday, Oct. 23rd: R&B Farms in Angier
- Thursday, Oct. 24th: Lutterloh Farm in Pittsboro
- Friday, Oct. 25th: Overman Farms in Goldsboro
- Saturday, Oct. 26th: Jack Pait Strawberry Farm in Lumberton
- Sunday, Oct. 27th: Sunset-Acres in King

There is less than a week left for you to enter the 'Pig in a Pot' Crockpot Home Chef Challenge, presented by Smithfield Foods!

Taking place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24th, this Home Chef Challenge allows you to create a crockpot meal centered around one of our state's biggest commodities...pork! Come up with your best recipe and show the judges why you should take home the blue ribbon and top prize of $500. Deadline to enter is Sept. 15th!

More info: https://www.ncagr.gov/media/7492/download?attachment

September is a busy month at the fairgrounds! Mark your calendars and come join us for many of the sales/shows detailed below. Also remember that the Raleigh Flea Market is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the Commercial and Education Buildings.

Tailgating season has arrived, which means it's time to show off your best chicken wings! Take on the competition this year during the "Ain't No Thing But A Chicken Wing" Home Chef Challenge, sponsored by House of Raeford Farms, on Friday, Oct. 25th!

The deadline to register for this competition is Sept. 15th. Find all information, including how to register, at the link below!

More info: https://www.ncagr.gov/media/7486/download?attachment

Don't forget to stop by The Raleigh Market every Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds! Shop hundreds of vendors both inside the Commercial & Education Buildings as well as outside on the grounds east of Dorton Arena. The market is open each weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The last weekend of The Raleigh Market before the N.C. State Fair will be Sept. 28-29.

We are only ONE WEEK away from the Southern Ideal Home Show (Raleigh Home Shows) at the fairgrounds!

Head on over to the Jim Graham Building and Agri Supply Expo Building on Sept. 13-15 to shop for stunning home displays, services and more. You can even check out workshops, such as the "Make it, Take it, Plant it" workshop! Times per day detailed below. Admission is $12 per day for adults and $7 for seniors on Friday.

Friday, Sept. 13: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 14: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 15: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

NC By Train tickets to the N.C. State Fair are on sale NOW! The train stop is located outside Gate 2 of the N.C. State Fair, giving easy access to all the fun!

The special train stop is wheelchair accessible. Use Station Code NSF and get your trip booked on their website: www.ncbytrain.org.

The train originates in Charlotte and hits all the stops along the way until they get here...Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary and then the N.C. State Fair before heading to Union Station in Raleigh. Book your trip today!

We are just SIX WEEKS AWAY from the 2024 N.C. State Fair!!! 🎉🎉

We can't hardly wait to see you on the grounds Oct. 17-27th to celebrate Home Grown Happiness in our state. What are you most excited about this year?!

Tomorrow is the last day to apply or nominate someone for the N.C. State Fair Farm Family of the Day Program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co.!

Did you know that you don't have to be a farmer, or even work in the agriculture industry, to nominate someone for this program? If you know a hard working farmer who deserves recognition for all that they do, submit their name at the link below and check back to see if they were chosen on Monday, Sept. 9th!

Nominate or apply here: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024/attractions/farmfamilyoftheday

Last year during the N.C. State Fair, John Tyler Moore of Durham took home first place in the Nahunta Pork Center's Not Your Mama's Sausage Ball Challenge!

John blew the judges away with his Brunch Balls recipe, which includes Nahunta Pork, corn muffin mix, maple butter and more. Find the full recipe at the link below and try them for yourself today!

Full recipe: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2023/10/22/durham-man-bookends-wins-state-fairs-home-chef-challenge-top-prize-nahunta-pork-centers-not-your

Application and nomination forms for our Farm Family of the Day program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co., are due THIS FRIDAY! ⏰⏰

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to represent our state's number one industry. Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day honorees will be awarded an N.C. State Fair prize pack including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2024 N.C. State Fair as well as a gift package from Tractor Supply Company.

The eleven families selected will be announced on our social media pages on Monday, Sept. 9th. Submit your completed forms to [email protected] by Friday to get your name in the pot!

Apply here: https://www.ncagr.gov/public-affairs/2024-tractor-supply-farm-family-day-application/download?attachment

Nominate someone here: https://www.ncagr.gov/public-affairs/2024-tractor-supply-farm-family-day-nomination-form/download?attachment

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the to***co tying and curing process that takes place every year at the N.C. State Fair!

To***co has a rich history in the heart of N.C. Agriculture. In 2004, the fair staff decided to celebrate and honor that history by bringing in to***co from local farmers, tying it and curing it in the barn on-site for people to see and enjoy. It has also proven a great educational tool for people that are unaware of the process of harvesting and curing to***co.

The to***co tying contest wasn't established until the following year, in 2005, but has also remained a strong tradition to this day! Be sure to visit the to***co barn in Heritage Circle this year at the fair, Oct. 17-27th!

Only two weeks left to register for one of our N.C. State Fair Home Chef Challenges!

Show off your home cooking skills in one of our sweet or savory competitions, taking place each day of the N.C. State Fair. From brunch and wings to cheesecake and cinnamon rolls, we can't wait to see what delicious dishes you come up with to wow the judges!

Deadline to register for all Home Chef Challenge competitions is Sept. 15th. Find more information at the link below!

Register here: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024/competitions/general-competitions/homechef

Last year at the N.C. State Fair, Kim Cooper of Carolina Beach earned a blue ribbon for her Mema's Mac & Cheese recipe that she entered in the Let's Get Cheesy: Mac-n-Cheese Home Chef Challenge! Find her full recipe at the link below and try it for yourself.

Recipe here: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2023/10/21/carolina-beach-woman-wins-lets-get-cheesy-mac-n-cheese-challenge-memas-mac-cheese

The Decorated Cakes Competition is a crowd favorite at the N.C. State Fair each year! If you have a talent for baking and cake decorating, register for your chance to win a blue ribbon in the competition this year!

Sponsored by Peachey's Baking Co,, the Decorated Cakes Competition is open to N.C. residents. The deadline to enter is Sept. 15th, so start working on your ideas today!

More info: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024/competitions/general-competitions/baking

Who doesn't love a good crockpot meal? On Thursday, Oct. 24th at 11 a.m., show us what flavors you can come up with using N.C. Pork products in the 'Pig in a Pot' Crockpot Home Chef Challenge, sponsored by Smithfield Foods!

The deadline to register your dish in the competition is Sept. 15th, so apply today and reserve your spot! Find all the information at the link below. We can't wait to see how you will impress our judges!

Register here: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024/competitions/general-competitions/homechef

Have you registered for livestock shows during the fair yet? Time is running out to enter - the deadline is THREE WEEKS from today on Sept. 15th! ⏰🐮

Livestock shows provide opportunities to showcase our state's livestock animals, teach showing skills to youth, and educate fairgoers on the livestock industry. To register in a livestock competition today, follow the steps below to using Show Works!

Showing livestock at the N.C. State Fair is so much more than walking an animal around the ring. It's a community, a partnership, a bond and an experience that families want to relive each year and pass down to the next generation.

Major Bond has been showing dairy cows at the fair for 45 years. Through the years, he has not only seen his own family grow up in the industry, but also helped teach others about the importance of agriculture and showing livestock. Learn more of his story in the blog post below and look for him this year at the fair!

Read more: https://deepfried.ncstatefair.org/45-years-and-counting-hickory-farmer-finds-the-fun-in-showing-dairy-cows-at-the-n-c-state-fair/

Only two weeks left to apply or nominate someone for our Farm Family of the Day program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co.!! ⏰🚜

The program seeks to recognize and celebrate the state’s rich agricultural heritage and many farm families that are behind the state’s $111.1 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry. Eleven families will be chosen to represent the agriculture industry throughout the duration of the fair, taking place Oct. 17-27.

Fill out the application and nomination forms below and email to [email protected] by Sept. 6th!

Apply here: https://www.ncagr.gov/public-affairs/2024-tractor-supply-farm-family-day-application/download?attachment

Nominate someone here: https://www.ncagr.gov/public-affairs/2024-tractor-supply-farm-family-day-nomination-form/download?attachment

It is with sadness that we share the unexpected passing of longtime State Fair vendor Felicia Turrentine Daniel, owner/operator of Chef's D'Lites.

Felicia dazzled us with her unique and delicious sweet and savory creations each year, putting her special touch on classic dishes and desserts. Beyond her culinary talents, she was a warm and welcoming presence who many people got to know through numerous TV interviews she did over the years. She will be missed.

Catch HGTV star Egypt Sherrod, of the hit show Married to Real Estate, appearing at the Southern Ideal Home Show on September 13th through 15th at the NC State Fairgrounds. Discover great ideas for your home, from kitchens and baths to landscaping and more. Get 50% off tickets using the promo code: FAIR.

https://raleighfairgroundshomeshow.mpetickets.com/?disc=FAIR

Don't forget to purchase your tickets early and score the discounted advance pricing! Visit our website below to book fair tickets, ride tickets and more today. We can't wait to see you Oct. 17-27th at the N.C. State Fair!

Buy tickets here: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024/buytixnow

Mark your calendar for the Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show on September 13th through 15th at the NC State Fairgrounds! From kitchens and baths to landscaping and more, come on out to find great ideas for your home. Get 50% off tickets using promo code: FAIR at the link below!

Tickets here: https://raleighfairgroundshomeshow.mpetickets.com/?disc=FAIR