The Mycenaean

The NC State Fair is an annual event that North Carolina residents look forward to. Each year food vendors, farmers and entertainers come together to put on an iconic event. 

The Fair will run from October 17th to October 27 on the NC State University fair grounds.

As an annual event, the Fair brings a sense of fall to many North Carolina residents.

Lila Moise, freshman, said, “I used to go with my mom and my sister all the time during the fall, so it just brings back good memories.”

The memories people make at the Fair are the most important piece of the whole event. Everyone has a different story and experiences the Fair in a different way — it is a way to bring people together in a festive way. 

Gabby Lefcheck, sophomore, said, “[My family] goes every year, so it has become a tradition. It is like bonding and something we can rely on doing every year.”

Jeffrey Gaglione, sophomore, said, “The food is my favorite part. My top 3 are funnel cake, corndogs and cotton candy.”

The fair is known for its crazy foods. Last year, there were stands of crocodile meat, deep fried sticks of butter and bacon mac and cheese sundae’s. 

This year there are over 30 vendors scattered around the fairgrounds representing many different ethnic cuisines. The Fair is a place of diversity — where NC is represented as whole. 

The Fair was not always the social event it is today. The State Fair was originally created in 1853 by the NC State Agricultural Society as a way to show off scientific advancements in farming.

The fair has changed in many ways since the original opening in 1853. 

In 1855, the state started providing $1,500 to help the Agricultural Society fund the event. It was in this year that the NC fair started to gain popularity. 

By 1861, the Fair was put on hold because of the civil war. The Fair was paused until 1869, but by 1873, it returned, and with support from the city of Raleigh, the fairgrounds were expanded by an additional 55 acres.

In the late 1920’s the Agricultural Society was practically bankrupt. The only way to continue the fair was to place it under state control. 

Ever since the state took over, the Fair became more of a social event. There are still many sections of the fairgrounds that highlight the agricultural excellence of NC, but the event is catered towards music, entertainers, food and carnival games. 

Close to one million people attended the Fair last year, but every year people cannot attend because of the high prices that tag along with the event. The State Fair has specialized deals for different days of the event. Each day offers new themes and activities that make going to the fair a unique experience.

On Thursday, October 17 NC State University students can show their student ID for an $8 admission. 

On Thursday, October 24, fairgoers can bring six cans of food in exchange for free admission. Every year, one day of the fair is dedicated to donating to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and their partners. 

“Hunger Relief Day” began as a tradition in 1993. In the last 20 years, the NC State Fair has collected over six million pounds of food and has become on the the largest canned food drives in the state. 

Each day, the Fair offers a “lunch-break” ticket. Tickets are sold at Gates one and nine, Hillsborough Street and Trinity Road, beginning at 11:30 am on weekdays. Attendees can purchase a lunch ticket for $20 with cash. Between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, attendees can go into the fair and visit various food vendors for their “lunch.” If the card is returned to the gate before 1:30, fairgoers will get their $20 back. 

The “lunch-break” ticket is a unique opportunity for working people to see the Fair while saving money. 

NC wants to honor their military members. Everyday, active-duty military members, reservists, retirees and National Guardsmen can get a discount on their admission tickets. These military members can get an $8 admission ticket for them and one dependent (ages 13-64).

The Fair is a time to live in the moment, appreciate the fall air and celebrate all that comes with living in North Carolina.