Everyone’s favorite time of the year is finally here! No, it’s not Fall. No, it’s not Halloween, either; it’s even better–the North Carolina State Fair! From October 13 to 23, you can watch great music shows, eat the unhealthiest foods and enjoy the best people-watching in the entire state. Here is the unofficial Collegiate’s guide to the State Fair.
The fair takes place in Raleigh at the fairgrounds, close to the RBC center and N.C. State’s football field. To get there, take exit 289 off of I-40, then follow the signs. The entrance fee is $8 for adults and discounted for senior citizens and members of the military; or you can plan to go Thursday, October 20, for Hunger Relief Night. On this night, you can donate four cans of food and get in for free!
The State Fair is all about eating! With 250 vendors, you can definitely find what you are craving (especially if it’s smothered in batter and then deep fried). Be adventurous and try one of the many new foods that will be featured this year:
- Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie
- Deep-Fried Bubble Gum
- Deep-Fried Kool-Aid
- Deep Fried Brownies
- Deep Fried Candy Apples
Additionally, there are 105 rides at the N.C. State Fair, which is the most on the Eastern Seaboard. Definitely don’t miss the Ferris Wheel as it gives a great view of the whole fairgrounds. Feel free to get on all the rides; just don’t try them after lots of deep fried food!
There are also concerts every night of the fair this year. You might not recognize a few of the names (especially if you aren’t a country music fan), but sometimes those make the best concerts! This year’s headliner is our very own Albemarle, North Carolina native and American Idol contestant, Kellie Pickler.
All shows start at 7:30 p.m. in Dorton Arena:
- Craig Campbell, Thursday, October 13, $5
- Skillet, Friday, October 14, $15
- Keith Anderson/Brian McComas, Saturday, October 15, $5
- Tift Merritt, Sunday, October 16, $5
- Steel Magnolia, Monday, October 17, $5
- George Jones, Tuesday, October 18, $10
- David Nail, Wednesday, October 19, $5
- Dionne Warwick, Thursday, October 20, $10
- Newsboys, Friday, October 21, $10
- Kansas, Saturday, October 22, $10
- Kellie Pickler, Sunday, October 23, $15
Lastly, if you’re on a budget, there are still lots of things to do that cost very little or nothing at all:
- Watching the pig races
- Looking at the decorated cakes and photography exhibits
- Watching how hush puppies are made at the Old Grist Mill (they even give you free ones to taste)!
- Holding the baby chicks and ducks
- Looking at the fresh vegetables and fruits
- Milking the cows and then getting a big glass to drink
- Eating a big pickle for $.25
- Watching the fireworks at 9:45 p.m. every night
The fair is a great, fairly cheap thing to do. Grab a cute boy and head over for a non-traditional date or call up all your girlfriends and make it a girls night out! Check out www.ncstatefair.org for more information.
What’s your favorite part of the fair, Collegiates?
Photo:
Fireworks by David Mitchell