North Carolina State Fair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Carolina State Fair |
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A view from the Midway with Dorton Arena in the background.
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| Genre | State fair |
| Dates | 10–20 October 2024 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Location(s) | 1025 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 1853–60, 1869–1925, 1928–41, 1946–2019, 2021– |
| Inaugurated | 1853 |
| Founders | North Carolina State Agricultural Society |
| Attendance | 926,425 (2023) |
| Area | 344 acres (139 ha) |
| Organized by | North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |
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North Carolina State Fair Commercial & Education Buildings
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Commercial and education buildings
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| Location | NC State Fairgrounds Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Atwood & Weeks; John W. Hudson |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000855 |
| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1987 |
The North Carolina State Fair is a huge yearly event held in Raleigh, North Carolina. It's like a giant party and a showcase for farming and local products. The fair started way back in 1853 and is put on by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Every October, for eleven days, nearly a million people visit the fair! You can find exciting carnival rides, cool farm exhibits, fun competitions, delicious food, live music, and amazing craft displays. It's one of the biggest and oldest state fairs in the whole United States.
Contents
History of the Fair
How It Started
The very first North Carolina State Fair happened in 1853. It was organized by a group called the North Carolina State Agricultural Society. This group included many important people from North Carolina. They wanted to show off the state's farms and crops. They also hoped the fair would bring people from all over the state together. Back then, the fair had horse races, speeches, marching bands, and military parades.
In 1855, the state started giving $1,500 a year to help the fair run. The fair stopped for a few years from 1861 to 1868 because of the American Civil War and the time after it.
Moving and Growing
The fair started up again in 1869. In 1873, it moved to a new, bigger spot west of Raleigh. The city of Raleigh helped get this new 55-acre area. It was close to the North Carolina Railroad, which made it easier for people to visit. In the late 1800s, some factories in Winston-Salem would even close so their workers could go to the fair!
By the early 1900s, the fair had a "midway" with lots of attractions. It also featured car and horse races, and exciting stunt shows. The fair helped farmers learn about new technologies and better ways to grow crops. In 1900, about 50,000 people came to the fair.
Women's Contributions
In 1917, a special Woman's Building was added to the fairgrounds. This was to honor the important work of North Carolina women during World War I. Famous women, like Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the United States Congress, spoke at its opening.
Later, Katharine Smith Reynolds became the first woman on the fair's executive committee in 1918. Then, Edith Vanderbilt led the society that ran the fair from 1921 to 1924. She helped the fair get back on track financially. She even spoke to the state government, asking for more money for new buildings and better exhibits. She promised that more people would come if the fair got more support.
New Fairgrounds
After Vanderbilt left in 1925, the fair had money problems again and its location was too small. So, the fair didn't happen in 1926. The state then took over running the fair. In 1927, the North Carolina Legislature set aside 200 acres for new fairgrounds. This is the same spot the fair uses today, though it has grown to 344 acres!
The fair didn't happen in 1927 while the new fairgrounds were being built. The fair came back in 1928 with huge crowds. New buildings for animals and exhibits were added.
State Control and Modern Fair
In 1930, the state took full control of the fair. For a while, a circus promoter named George A. Hamid Sr. helped run it. Under his leadership, the main stage featured circus-style acts. The fair also became a popular place for presidential candidates to give speeches, like Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The fair stopped again from 1942 to 1945 because of World War II. Since 1948, the fair has worked with James E. Strates Shows to provide the fun midway rides. The fair has continued to be a popular stop for presidents.
Today, the fair pays for itself and doesn't get money from the state. Any money it makes goes back into making the fairgrounds even better. In 2010, the fair had its biggest crowd ever, with over a million visitors! The fair was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it started again in 2021.
Fair Buildings
Dorton Arena
The most famous building at the fairgrounds is J. S. Dorton Arena. It's a huge stadium with 7,500 seats. It was designed in 1949 and finished in 1953. What's special about it? It was one of the first indoor arenas ever built without any columns inside! This means everyone gets a clear view. It became a model for other large stadiums. Dorton Arena is a symbol of the modern fair and is recognized as an important building in American architecture.
Commercial & Education Buildings
The North Carolina State Commercial & Education Buildings are the oldest permanent buildings at the fairgrounds. They were built in 1928. These two long buildings look like one big structure. They have a cool Spanish-style design with stucco walls and fancy decorations. They are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other Buildings
Over the years, many other buildings have been added. These include the Jim Graham Building, the Governor James E. Holshouser Building, and the Governor W. Kerr Scott Building. Newer additions include the Agri-Supply Exposition Center, the Sam G. Rand Grandstand, and the Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex. There's also the Pitzer Heritage Circle and the Heritage Tobacco Pavilion.
Exhibits to Explore
The fair has tons of interesting exhibits! You can see old farm machines, beautiful flower and garden displays, and learn about North Carolina's forests and wildlife.
- Field of Dreams: This is a mini-farm where kids can see how food grows, taste fresh produce, and even watch a rabbit race!
- Got to Be NC Agriculture: Here, you can watch cooking demonstrations, join fun cooking contests, and get free food samples.
- Heritage Circle: This area has historic buildings and shows how things were done in the past, like blacksmithing. You can also try apple cider and hush puppies.
- Village of Yesteryear: Watch artists and crafters make and sell amazing handmade items.
- State Fair Ark: See over fifty different farm animals, including cows, goats, sheep, and pigs.
Fun Competitions
The state fair is a great place for North Carolinians to show off their talents! In 2021, there were about 36,000 entries in various contests. People win prizes for things like:
- Artwork and cake decorating
- Canned food and floral arrangements
- Handicrafts, quilting, and even shoe decorating
- Judging honey, fresh produce, and farm animals like livestock, poultry, and rabbits.
There are also newer contests for Christmas tree decorations, graphic design, and robotics. You can even watch a Home Chef Challenge or see apprentices compete in skills like carpentry and plumbing. Winners get cash prizes!
The North Carolina State Fair Horse Show and Hunter Jumper Show also happen around the fair time.
The Folk Festival started at the fair in 1948. It celebrates North Carolina's traditional music and dance. Over 1,500 people take part each year, hoping to win the special Bascom Lamar Lunsford Trophy.
Exciting Entertainment
Carnival Rides
The fair's midway is packed with fun! Powers Great American Midways and Wade Shows bring over 100 rides, carnival games, and food stands. One of the coolest rides is the SkyGazer, which is the biggest traveling Ferris wheel in the United States. It's 150 feet tall and can seat 200 people!
Live Music
Dorton Arena often hosts concerts every night during the fair, featuring country, rock, and R&B music. The Homegrown Music Festival also has over 100 concerts by local bands on two different stages throughout the day.
Shows and Events
The Sam Rand Grandstand is where you can catch special events like the Tractor Pull and the Demolition Derby. Other popular shows include the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, racing pigs at Hogway Speedway, and various street performers. The Kiddieland Fun Park has shows and rides just for younger kids. And don't forget the nightly fireworks displays!
The State Fair Flyer
The State Fair Flyer was added in 2016. It's a sky chairlift ride that takes you 40 feet high! With 126 seats, it stretches over 1,400 feet across the fairgrounds. The ride moves slowly, at about 2 miles per hour, and lasts for ten minutes, giving you amazing views of the fair.
Amtrak Station
During the fair, NC By Train sets up a special temporary train station right next to the fairgrounds. This makes it easy for people to take the train to the fair on the Carolinian and Piedmont lines.
Safety at the Fair
The North Carolina State Fair works hard to make sure everyone has a safe and fun time. In 2013, an incident occurred on the Vortex ride where several people were injured. Safety is always a top priority at the fair, and such incidents are thoroughly investigated to prevent future issues.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of North Carolina State Fair, 1974
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The fair midway, 2015
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Dorton Arena during the fair, 1960s
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Midway view from Ferris wheel
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Midway at sunset
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Monster Truck Destruction Derby at the fair, 2016
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Fireworks at the fair, 2009
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