Carolina Classic Fair facts for kids
The Carolina Classic Fair is a super fun annual event held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It happens every autumn at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. This fair is a big deal in North Carolina, often being the second most popular fair in the state, right after the North Carolina State Fair. Lots of people love to visit, with hundreds of thousands attending each year!
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What is the Carolina Classic Fair?
The Carolina Classic Fair is a traditional American fair. It's a place where you can find exciting rides, delicious fair food like cotton candy and corn dogs, live entertainment, and cool exhibits. You can see everything from farm animals to amazing arts and crafts. It's a great way for families and friends to spend time together and make memories.
A Look Back: The Fair's History
The fair has a long and interesting history, starting way back in 1882.
- Early Beginnings: It first began in the old town of Salem. Back then, it was mostly about showing off different types of grain.
- Merging Events: Later, in 1897, another event called the Piedmont Tobacco Fair started. Soon after, these two events joined together to create the Winston-Salem Fair.
- New Home: The fair moved to its current location, the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, in 1952.
- Name Changes: In 1956, it was called the "Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina." For many years, most people just knew it as the Dixie Classic Fair.
Why the Name Changed
In October 2019, the Winston-Salem City Council decided to change the fair's name. The old name, "Dixie," was connected to a time in American history that many people found hurtful or unfair. To make sure the fair felt welcoming and inclusive to everyone, the name was changed to the Carolina Classic Fair. This new name celebrates the fair's connection to North Carolina.
When the Fair Didn't Happen
Like many big events, the fair has had to take a break a few times throughout its history. There were no fairs in:
- 1917-1918
- 1942-1945
- 2020
These breaks were usually due to major historical events, like World Wars or, more recently, the global pandemic. But the fair always comes back, ready to bring fun and excitement to Winston-Salem!
