The tractor parade officially kicks off the opening of the 2013 Got to Be NC Festival at the State Fairgrounds Friday through Saturday.Visitors watch as the parade of tractors roll by at the Got to Be NC Festival.
More than 400,000 books are for sale in the Graham Building at the Wake County Library Book Sale.
The Wake County Library’s annual Book Sale and Festival of Reading opened Thursday in the Graham Building and prices keep getting better throughout the weekend. But don’t fret if you didn’t make it there the first day. With more than 400,000 books, there are still plenty of bestsellers left on the table. The books are in good condition. Some are pulled out of circulation, and others come from donations if library locations already have duplicate copies. Cash, checks and all major credit cards accepted.
Admission is free.
Hours and prices:
The Scott Building will host the Sportscard and Sports Memorabilia 3-Day Show with more than 80 exhibitors buying, selling and trading vintage to new sportscards and memorabilia. Show hours are Friday 2 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $5 daily or purchase a weekend pass for $7. Admission is free for children ages 15 and under.
The N.C. Plantation Pleasure Walking Horse Tarheel Classic Horse Show runs Friday and Saturday in the Horse Complex. Free spectator admission.
The Holshouser Building is going to the dogs on Saturday and Sunday. The Mid Atlantic Hound Association Dog Show features hound breeds, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen testing, dog show tours, Coonhound Bench Show and more. Admission is free.
The Original Coin & Currency Show will be in the Martin Building Saturday and Sunday. The show offers a variety of numismatic items including rare coins, precious metals, paper money, tokens, coin collecting books and supplies. Bring your coins and currency to be appraised or bought. Admission is free. Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There’s a diverse lineup of events at the fairgrounds this weekend.
The Chatlee Boat Show & Sale kicked off on Thursday in the Scott Building, featuring a large selection of saltwater, skiffs, ski & deck boards. The show is open noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
The N.C. Diocese Ignited by Truth Conference is being held in the Graham Building Friday and Saturday. Dynamic Catholic speakers will offer two days of spiritual insight and inspiration for people of all faith traditions, with subjects ranging from sacred scripture to spiritual combat. The Friday evening workshop is for people considering the Catholic Church. The event begins with live music and will feature two speakers. Spanish sessions will also be offered. Saturday is a full day of presentations, including sessions for students and ending with a Vigil Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh. Other offerings include Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and a Vendor and Ministry Fair. Conference hours are Friday, 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free on Friday evening. Saturday’s program is $45 for adults or $25 for students ages 10 and up, and includes lunch.
Dorton Arena hosts the Pan Afrikan Comedy Show on Friday at 7:30 p.m. featuring Corwin C Dawg Ogsley, Rob Stapleton and Corey Holcomb. Admission is $5 for students, $10 for NCSU faculty and staff and $15 for general admission. On Saturday, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the NCSU BSB present the Pan Afrikan Step Show at 7 p.m. The show will feature competitive performances from various Greek organizations within NPHC and showcase other student groups such as a capella groups between step groups. Admission is $20 at the door.
The Flower Show area (inside Gate 6) will be the place to find a wide variety of plants Friday through Sunday. The Gardeners of Wake County Azalea Sale features 148 varieties and 4,000 plants – your only opportunity to choose from this many varieties. Also available are camellias, roses, flowering plants and other plants for sale. Gardeners of Wake County profits fund scholarships for the NCSU Department of Horticulture Science and other projects. The Raleigh Garden Club will offer a wide variety of herbs and perennials for sun and shade that thrive in the Triangle. Camellias and rhododendrons are being offered by the Wake County 4H Club, and the Pilot Club of Wake County will be selling geraniums to raise money for their charitable work. Hours are Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
The Raleigh Invitational Horse Show is at the Hunt Horse Complex all weekend. This American Saddlebred and Morgan horse show features the Equine Roadster Cup and the Equine Pony Cup and is a qualifier for the World Championship Horse Show. Free spectator admission. Sessions start Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 9 a.m.
The Pipe and Tobacciana Expo will be held in the Martin Building on Saturday. This expo includes distributors, collectors and pipe clubs. A selection of smoking pipes, pipe racks, humidors and accessories will be available, as well as custom-blended tobaccos from around the world, pipe makers and pipe trading. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $3; free admission coupons can be found in The News & Observer or N.C. State Technician.
The Raleigh Flea Market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, featuring hundreds of dealers, craftsmen and booths.
High schoolers are battling it out at the 2013 FIRST Regional Tournament in Dorton Arena Friday and Saturday. This varsity robotics competition features 54 teams from across the nation. Spectators are welcome and admission is free. Doors open at 9 a.m. The finals begin Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Raleigh Indoor Spring Classic “A” Show takes place all weekend at the Hunt Horse Complex. This is a USEF A-rated Hunter Jumper Horse Show sponsored by Triangle Farms, Inc. Shows begin daily at 8 a.m.
The North Carolina RV Dealers Association Spring RV Sale offers the largest selection of new and used RVs in one location. The show and sale take place in the Graham Building and Expo Center. Open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for ages 13 and older. See the website for special discounts.
The Holshouser Building is going to the cats on Saturday and Sunday. The Coastal Paws Cat Club presents the Rally in Raleigh Cat Show, a CFA all-breed cat show including household-pet class judging and feline agility competition. Learn about the many feline breeds in the educational breed ring. Shop for cat toys, grooming products, pet supplies and more. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, $3 for children ages 3-12 and free for children under 3.
The Raleigh Flea Market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, featuring hundreds of dealers, craftsmen and booths.
Today we asked the N.C. Board of Agriculture for permission to raise prices for admission tickets, and they approved our request to move forward with the rule change. If approved, admission ticket prices will increase by $1 for both adult and children’s tickets in time for the 2013 N.C. State Fair. This does not affect ride ticket prices.
We don’t like raising ticket prices, and we’ve avoided doing so for some time. Ticket prices have been mostly stagnant, even as inflation has caused other fairs to raise ticket prices. We are proud to be one of the most affordable fairs in the country, with admission prices on par, or cheaper even, than many county fairs across the state. And we will remain one of the most affordable fairs, even with the increase.
What most people don’t realize is that even though we are owned and operated by a state government agency, we don’t get any taxpayer funding. We have to operate and make improvements based on the money we bring in during the annual fair and through building rentals throughout the year. Like for you, our costs are rising – payroll, utility, environmental and material expenses are eating our profits, leaving less for capital improvements. And there are a lot of improvements and construction projects that need to be done to realize the master plan we envisioned a few years ago.
Anyone who has been to the fair in the last decade knows that we are busting out of the seams in all the buildings, even with the construction of the Expo Center in 2005. We’ve had great attendance the last few years and we’ve reinvested a lot of the money, but the improvements the past few years haven’t been glamorous. Repairing sewer lines, installing new fiber optic lines, repaving parking lots and building campgrounds don’t draw as much attention as a new building, but they are necessary. After all, the fairgrounds is a small city during the month of October. We have to continue investing in the infrastructure needs, save up to build new buildings and keep enough money in the bank to open the gates each October.
Under the new pricing structure, adult admission would be $7 in advance of the fair and $9 at the gate. Gate admission for children ages 6-12 would be $4, with a $1 discount for buying tickets in advance. However, we promise an experience that will be worth your money. We’re still cheaper than going to the movies and you’ll get a whole lot more from the experience. We’re looking forward to announcing the lineup of grounds acts, stage acts and Dorton concerts. Plus, we’ll have all the great exhibits you have come to expect from us year after year. We don’t like to raise prices, but we do think it’s time and it’s worth it so that we can continue to bring you a high quality fair experience.
We look forward to seeing you Oct. 17-27, 2013!
Something for the whole family at the Dixie Deer Classic
The Dixie Deer Classic, the area’s largest deer-hunter convention, takes over the fairgrounds this weekend with the latest in hunting equipment from more than 200 vendors, plus seminars, displays, trophy scoring, and an archery competition. Special guests include Steven Rinella, Pat and Nicole Reeve and Tom Miranda. Hours are Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, children 12 and under are admitted free.
As part of the Dixie Deer Classic, the Broughton Ducks Unlimited Banquet fundraiser will take place Saturday night in the Martin Building. The event includes dinner, annual membership enrollment, raffles, live band and information on the conservation of North America’s wetlands and wildlife. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
In the Hunt Horse Complex, the SERHA Jackpot Reining – Fool ‘Em School “Em & Introductory Horse Show will take place Friday through Sunday. This is a schooling level reining horse show with introductory classes for very inexperienced riders. Classes begin at 9 a.m.
And the Flea Market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Each weekend, the Commercial and Education buildings and the outside grounds are host to hundreds of dealers, craftsmen and booths.
International Auto Festival (photo from www.ncautoexpo.com)
The 26th annual N.C. International Auto Expo kicks off on Thursday in the Graham Building and Exposition Center. The Wake County New Vehicle Dealer Association presents more than 160,000 square feet of new production models and concept cars with car, truck and sports utility vehicle manufacturers on display. Classic cars will be on display in Dorton Arena on Saturday and Sunday. Show hours are noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults ages 13 to 60; $5 for adults older than 60; $4 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children 5 or younger.
The Raleigh Winter II Hunter Show runs Thursday to Sunday. This is a USEF A-rated show sponsored by Triangle Farms Inc. Daily shows begin at 8 a.m. Free spectator admission.
The VolksFest, an all-Volkswagen car show and swap meet, takes place in the Scott Building on Saturday. VW enthusiasts can buy and sell vintage VW parts, as well as sell or show off their vehicles. Show runs 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $10 for adults ages 13 and up.
The 32nd Annual Carolina Aquarium Workshop & Auction takes place Saturday and Sunday in the Martin Building. The Raleigh Aquarium Society is offering workshops throughout the day on Saturday and an auction on Sunday with a wide variety of fish, plants and hardware items, including rare and difficult-to-find items. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. both days. Auction registration is on Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m., with the auction starting at 11.
Two separate cat shows will take place this weekend in the Holshouser Building. The Mid-Atlantic Persian & Himalayan Fanciers CFA Cat Show will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with up to 225 cats in competition. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students with ID, $3 for ages 2 to 12 years old and free for 2 years and under. On Sunday, the Vision Cat Club TICA Cat Show takes over with a new set of cats from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for this show is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students with ID, $3 for ages 2 to 12 years old and free for 2 years and under.
On Sunday, more than 100 vendors will fill the Scott Building featuring Lionel, K-Line, MTH, American Flyer and more at the the Toy Train Sale and Swap Meet. In addition to the sales, there are hands-on layouts and train races for the children and minor on-site repairs. An auction takes place at 1 p.m. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $6 for adults ages 13 and up, free for children under 13 accompanied by paying adult.
Happy Holidays from the Deep Fried Crew!
Thanks for celebrating 15 Days of Deep Fried Christmas with us. We hope you’ve enjoyed looking back at some of our fair favorites from the past four years. On behalf of the N.C. State Fair Press Office, we’d like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.
See you in 2013!
Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives.
This is a guest blog post from our State Fair Street Team. You can follow Helen, Annie and Ali’s adventures at the 2012 N.C. State Fair on their blog, Heart of a Southern Woman.
Yesterday at the Fair could not have been better, unless you, my family and friends, could all have been there with me! A family reunion at the Fair! Now that would be cool! Today is going to be another brilliantly sunshiny day, high of 74 degrees, and boundless blue skies! It promises to be the kind of day that screams “Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina, in the morning!”
Just in case you aren’t on Facebook, I thought I’d show you the caricature we had done at the Fair yesterday! What do you think?!
The artist is one Nick Tabron, a talented, and kind hearted man! He is a native North Carolinian and actually lives near us in Southern Franklin County! We met his wife Rhonda also who was there lending a helping hand to the artist! I want to get a caricature done of my grandchildren, Nick is located outside Dorton Arena, north entrance.
Annie, who is the baker of our little group, had to see the decorated cakes immediately! I thought you might enjoy seeing them also. When you are at the Fair, they are displayed in the education building, along with the quilts, and handmade dresses that are only awesome!
The cakes are truly amazing! I cannot imagine being able to make these things…out of cake! Good Gracious! Talented people, our neighbors!
This is not a cake, in case you wondered! This dress, with layers and layers of ruffles, is reminisient of Gone With The Wind days! The picture does not do it justice, you have to go see it for yourself, in the education building!
I’m on my way to the Fair right now, Friday morning, October 12, 2012. I’d love to see you there as well, if you get there tweet us @mamakat07 and let us know where we can find you! Have a great day!
Over the past four years, we’ve had the chance to sample some of the latest, greatest and strangest fair food to come to the N.C. State Fair. In the spirit of year-end lists, we thought we would look back at 15 of our favorite food-related posts from the past four years. Each day between now and Christmas, we’ll post a different food review from our archives.
This is a guest blogger post by our Official Deep Fried Ambassador, Amy. We’ll be reposting her State Fair adventures from The Practical Cook blog throughout the Fair.
Gentle Readers, good news, The Practical Cook is not under a Deep Fried Embargo: she can tell you what is frying at the 2011 N.C. State Fair! Prepare to return to the days of Saturday morning cartoons (at least for me), it’s Deep-Fried Kool-Aid and Bubble Gum, with a side of Lemon Sticks. Wow, let’s get started, shall we?
Yeah, I think there are tickets available.
First came the update on what’s new at the fair. Good news, more family-focused rides, and more rides in general. Perfect stops between snacks or more opportunities to lose your fried, depending on your level of tolerance.
Deep Fried Warmup with Murphy House Fried Chicken (and salad!): Awesome!!
Second we learned that there are more entries in almost every category. That’s basically more fair for your buck, think about it. Just good basic math at work there. So you’ll need a plan of attack, and possibly a buddy system. For the plan, download the N.C. State Fair App (called the Food & Fun Finder, yes please).
Look what’s frying at the N.C. State Fair!
And now, here’s The Practical Cook, your Deep Fried Ambassador, with a special video sneak peek at the Fried:
Welcome to Deep Fried @ the N.C. State Fair. We hope you will find some interesting tidbits about one of our favorite subjects -- the North Carolina State Fair! We're gearing up for the 2012 State Fair, Oct. 11-21 and look forward to sharing our behind-the-scenes knowledge with you.