NC State Fair insiders gave us their ‘best day’ formula. Here’s how to plan your visit
Giant gourds. Live animals. Concerts. Rides. The North Carolina State Fair has it all.
With so many daily events and attractions, planning a trip may become overwhelming. We asked fair experts for their tips on how to make the most out of a trip.
Find a schedule of events and map here.
State Fair tips for grandparents & grandkids
There are typically fewer people at the fair on weekdays, Deby Russell, an event specialist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, told The News & Observer in an email.
The fair hosts plenty of free attractions that may appeal to younger fairgoers:
- See large fruits and vegetables in the Agri Supply Exposition Center (No. 7 on the map)
- See animals in the Graham Building (No. 9 on the map)
- See Smokey Bear in the Forest Area behind Pitzer Heritage Circle near the pond. At 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, there will be a campfire safety show with Smokey (No. 2 on the map).
A great activity for kids is at the Field of Dreams (No. 14 on the map), where they can pick vegetables and see the rabbits, Russell said.
Russell also recommended catching some shows. The Hot Diggity Dogs Show (No. 16 on map) and Agricadabra: The Magic of Agriculture (No. 15 on map) are a couple of highlights.
Seniors ages 65 and older receive free admission to the fair on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
State Fair tips for seeing fruits & vegetables
To witness the produce at its freshest, visit the State Fair early, April Blazich, the superintendent of horticulture for the fair, told The N&O in an email.
State Fair staffers are on hand, ready to tell visitors about the exotic fruits and vegetables in the competitions.
The Agri Supply Exposition Center (No. 7 on map) contains the giant pumpkins and watermelons, horticulture and bees and honey.
Tips for seeing animals at the NC State Fair
Animals are on display every day of the fair, but Summer Senter, the livestock office manger for the State Fair, recommends attending:
- The Junior Dairy Cattle Costume Class at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
- The Sale of Champions at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Both events are in the Graham Building (No. 9 on map).
There are no new events planned for livestock this year.
State Fair tips for college students
There are several ways to save on State Fair visits, Alana Moore, a N.C. State student and intern with N.C. Department of Agriculture, told The N&O in an email.
Tickets are available online through Thursday, Oct. 17, at a discounted price.
N.C. State students can visit the fair for an $8 admission fee on “Wolfpack Day,” which is Oct. 17. They just need to show their Wolfpack One ID card.
Thursday, Oct. 24, is Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day. Anyone who brings six cans of food to donate will receive free admission to the fair on that day.
If interested in enjoying the rides, fair visitors can purchase Unlimited Ride Wristbands. These are on sale ($10 off) until Oct. 17, and can be purchased online.
Visiting on weekdays may result in fewer crowds, but there’s also a way to get free admission to the fair: the Weekday Lunch Pass Program. Here’s how it works.
- Enter through Gate 9 off Trinity Road or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on a weekday.
- Purchase a lunch card at the gate for $20 (cash only).
- Purchase lunch from food vendors.
- Return the lunch card by 1:30 p.m. to the same gate used for entry on the same day it was purchased.
- Get a full $20 refund for the lunch card.
- Note: If you leave after 1:30 p.m., the refund will not be given. No food is included; this only covers admission.
The Weekday Lunch Pass Program was previously $10 cash, so note this year’s admission price is double (though those leaving on time will still get a full refund).
More tips for navigating the State Fair
- Bring snacks and drinks for the kids.
- Bring refillable water bottles. There are water stations throughout the fairgrounds.
- Purchase entry and ride tickets early online.
When is the NC State Fair?
The fair begins Thursday, Oct. 17 and ends Sunday, Oct. 27.
Hours:
- Thursday, Oct. 17: noon-11 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 18 - Saturday, Oct. 19: 9 a.m.-midnight
- Sunday, Oct. 20 - Thursday, Oct. 24: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 25 - Saturday, Oct. 26: 9 a.m.-midnight
- Sunday, Oct. 27: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 5:30 AM with the headline "NC State Fair insiders gave us their ‘best day’ formula. Here’s how to plan your visit."
