Ferris wheels, funnel cakes and a Field of Dreams: This year's N.C. State Fair brings excitement to Raleigh with new exhibitions and traditional favorites. With the theme "Feed Your Senses," there's no doubt that the Fair knows why we love it best guests can expect the same selection of tasty delights (fried Oreos, anyone?), wild rides and blinking lights that make it one of the most festive events of the year.
Buy Tickets
Dates: October 13-22
Hours: Fairground gates open 8am-12am. Exhibit halls open 9am-9:45pm. Midway rides open 10am-12am. Ticket sales open 9am-10pm
Admission Prices: $6 for adults at the gate, $5 for advance sale, $2 for ages 6-12, Free for ages 5 and under, Free for senior citizens 65 and over.
Concert Prices: Concerts at Dorton Arena range from $5-$20
Special Dates: Military Appreciation Day is Oct. 18: All military personnel and up to four guests will be admitted free to the Fair.
Food Lion Hunger Relief Day is Oct. 19.
Parking is free at the N.C. State Fairgrounds except for recreational vehicles at park between the hours of 12am-8am. Free tram service is available inside Carter-Finley Stadium and shuttle service at Gates 2, 8 and 10.
Buy Concert Tickets
Fri, Oct. 13: Chris Tomlin, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $5
Sat, Oct. 14: Jo Dee Messina, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $10
Sun, Oct. 15: Blake Shelton, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $10
Mon, Oct. 16: Eric Church, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $5
Tues, Oct. 17: Earl Scruggs, Mike Cross & Tift Merritt, Dorton Arena 6:30pm, $15
Wed, Oct. 18: Little Big Town, Dorton Arena 7:30pm, $5
Thurs, Oct. 19: Chris Brown & Paula DeAnda, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $15
Fri, Oct. 20: Casting Crowns, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $10
Sat, Oct. 21: Chris Cagle, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $10
Sun, Oct. 22: Gary Allan, Dorton Arena. 7:30pm, $10
Other Special Events
Grandstand Show: Demolition Derby and Keith King Bicycle Stunt Show
Oct. 20 at 7pm, Oct. 21 at 2pm & 7pm, Oct. 22 at 2pm
Cost: $7
Grandstand Show: NC Tractor Pull
Oct. 13 at 6pm, Oct. 14 at 1pm, Oct. 15 at 1pm
Special Hotel Deals:
Get the lowest available hotel rates save at 25 participating hotel properties. Rates start from $49. Learn more.
Other Events:
The Enemy Within: Terror in America 1776 to Today
Aug. 26-Nov. 26
Exploris
A powerful new traveling exhibit from the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C.
SPACE: A Journey to Our Future
Oct. 7, 2006-Feb. 11, 2007
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Visitors can come face-to-face with amazing discoveries about the universe.
Disney's The Lion King
Sept. 15-Oct. 22
Memorial Auditorium at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life.
Monet in Normandy
Oct. 15, 2006-Jan 14, 2007
North Carolina Museum of Art
A once-in-a-lifetime exhibition featuring 50 paintings from around the world.