High-flying rides and deep-fried pies—the 155th annual N.C. State Fair returns to Raleigh, Oct. 12-22!

The N.C. State Fair announced more than 50 new sweets, treats and over-the-top concoctions for foodies to look forward to in 2023. Hot foods, messy foods, loaded-to-the-max foods, foods we had no idea could actually go together—you'll find them all! We've listed 20 of our favorite new options below to help get your fair food game plan started. 
 

Hot Chicken Smash, Dirty Mac, Hot Mac, Dirty Nachos

from Another Food Truck

Little Locas Empanadas 

from Arepa Loca

Everything is Better with Tequilla Margarita Cupcake

from Boozie Bakes

Bacon Mac & Cheese Sundae

from Bubba's Bacon

Deep Fried Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding Bites

from Chef's D'Lites

Politician Fries

from Chesters Gators and Taters

Ostrich Smashburger

from Chick-N-Que

Briset & Waffles On a Stick

from Fatboys BBQ

Dill Pickle Donut

from Fluffy's Hand-Cut Donuts

Snow Cheddar Chicken

from Golden K Dog

Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese Danish

from La Farm Bakery

Deep Fried Ribs

from Lawrence & Perry BBQ

Vanilla Ice Cream Chimney Cake

from Magladena's Chimney Cakes

Strawberry Cheesecake Slush

from Moose Joose Slush

Cherry Beef Bliss

from Neomonde Mediterranean

Fried Caramel Apple Cow Tail

from Pioneer Wagon

Cajun-Style Andouille Sausage Corn with Mardi Gras Mustard Dip

from Ragin' Cajun

Street Corn Pizza

from Rudy's Pizza

Deep Fried Dill Pickle Cheese Curds

from The Cheese Curd Shack

Oreo Brownie Blast

from Waffle Chix

And that's not all! See the fully revealed list of new goodies and over-the-top concoctions, including a map of where to find each item, here!

More upcoming events to plan around in Raleigh, N.C.

• Triangle Oktoberfest, Oct. 6-7
• Falling for Local at Dorothea Dix Park, Oct. 7
• North Carolina Theatre presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Oct. 10-15
• Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa (opening night!), Oct. 11
• Carolina Ballet presents Frankenstein, Oct. 13-30
• SAS Championship, Oct. 13-15
• Hum Sub Diwali, Oct. 14
• Oktrophyfest, Oct. 14
• Day of the Dead 5k, Oct. 28
• Cloudstoberfest, Oct. 28
• HollyFest, Oct. 28
• North Carolina Wine Festival, Oct. 28
• North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, opens Nov. 17
• 79th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade, Nov. 18
• 28th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration, Nov. 18
• The RINK at Red Hat Amphitheater, opens Nov. 18

^{Header photo by Justin Kase Conder; other photos provided by the N.C. State Fair}