New food, rides and music: Your guide to the 2021 NC State Fair
Canceled last year due to the pandemic, the North Carolina State Fair finally returns this week.
It’s been two years since the last fair. This year, organizers are saying the 10-day-long affair will be “worth the wait!”
Here’s your guide to what you need to know. For more details, go to ncstatefair.org.
NC State Fair hours
This year’s N.C. State Fair runs Oct. 14-24, with gates opening at noon on Oct. 14. On all other days, gates will open at 8 a.m., exhibit halls will open at 9 a.m., and rides will start at 10 a.m.
The NC Public House, which offers a selection of beers, wines, ciders and craft sodas, will open each day at noon. Note the new location, as it’s moving to a new location across from the SkyGazer Ferris Wheel,
The fair closes at 11 p.m. each night, except for Fridays and Saturdays, when it will remain open until midnight.
Find the North Carolina State Fairgrounds at 1025 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh.
Tickets
Tickets are $13 for adults and $7 for ages 6-12. Members of the military can buy a ticket for $8 by showing an accepted form of identification at the gate.
On Friday, Oct. 15, students with a valid school ID or report card from the 2020-2021 school year can buy tickets for $8.
On Tuesday, Oct. 19, the fair will offer free admission to seniors over the age of 65.
Thursday, Oct. 21 is Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day. Admission will be free for fairgoers who bring six cans of food for donation.
Tickets for rides, the State Fair Flyer, and the SkyGazer Ferris Wheel are purchased separately.
Getting to the fair
For those who want to avoid the hassle of parking, the fair will be running a free shuttle from the free Reedy Creek Dogwood parking lot at 4501 Reedy Creek Road. There will also be free parking and shuttle service from Carter-Finley Stadium.
You can also catch a ride to the fair with GoRaleigh on Route 27. Buses are currently operating for free through June 2022.
Masks are required.
COVID-19 safety rules
The fair strongly encourages vaccinations and masking, but is not requiring them. The city of Raleigh is currently under an indoor mask mandate, but that doesn’t apply to the State Fair since it is held on state-owned property.
A negative COVID-19 test is also not required to enter the fairgrounds.
Masks are especially encouraged in areas where it’s not possible to maintain a safe distance from others. The fair will provide disposable masks at ticket gates and guest services silos.
To stay safe, the fair recommends keeping you distance from others whenever possible, and frequently washing your hands at restrooms or one of the outdoor hand-washing stations located throughout the fairgrounds.
You can also get a free COVID-19 vaccine shot at the space occupied by First United Methodist Church of Cary (near the end of restaurant row near Dorton Arena). The church is partnering with Wake County Public Health, the NC Department of Health and Human Services and FEMA to administer vaccines.
What’s new at the fair?
▪ There will be two new rides this year — the Itsy Bitsy Spider Wheel, and the Sky Hawk.
▪ New vendors this year include Bayou Billy Sweet Dixie Tea, Coco Crissi Tropical Icees, Just Popping Around popcorn and Kora’s Cookie Dough.
You can also get yourself a new pair of boots from Leon Leather Co., or buy a custom ID tag for your dogs, cats or other pets.
▪ On Sunday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, it will be accessABILITY Day, a time dedicated to those who need a break from the sensory overload of the fair. There will be targeted music, vendors, rides and games during the morning, as well as a few all-day activities. Rides and games, opening at 9 a.m., will run without lights or music. Music stages will be devoted to playing acoustic music, and the public address system will be limited to lost visitor announcements.
A “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” will be available throughout the day in the Graham Building and will feature seating, low lighting and soft music for guests needing a break. Noise canceling headphones will also be available for checkout at the location.
▪ Finally, don’t forget the fair’s new “clear bag” policy. Your bag can be any size but it needs to be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC. You may bring small purses or bags no larger than 6.5” x 4.5” with or without a handle or strap in addition to one of the clear plastic bags. If you don’t have a bag, clear bags will be available at the gates, and you’ll have an opportunity to bring your non-clear bag back to your car.
What time are fireworks?
Fireworks will return to the State Fair at 9:45 p.m. each night, and will be launched over the pond by Gate 8.
The food
This year’s fair will offer dozens of delicious new dishes and snacks, from the Shrimp Mac and Cheese Eggrolls (Waypoint Oyster Bar) to the Atomic Tots with cayenne and ghost pepper (Chef’s D’Lites), and the Carolina Cowboy Roll (Fatboys BBQ). To ease up on the spiciness, you can try everything from churros and banana pudding to deep fried cookie dough and alcohol-infused popcorn.
For a comprehensive review of all the new dishes, savory and sweet, available this year, check out The News & Observer’s ranking of the fair’s best new foods.
The Music
This year’s Homegrown Music Fest will include rock and funk group The Pseudo Cowboys, Chapel Hill rock band Collapsis, and country singer Brooke McBride, in addition to many other artists spanning R&B, reggae, hip hop and other genres.
Note that no concerts will be inside Dorton Arena this year and will be outside.
Here’s the full line-up of shows scheduled at the fair’s Waterfall and and Heritage Circle Stages. Tickets to the fair include concert admission.
Waterfall Stage
Oct. 14, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.: The Pseudo Cowboys (rock/funk)
Oct. 14, 5 p.m.: Cassette Rewind (Tribute to music from the 1980s)
Oct. 15, 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.: Harm (emo/rock)
Oct. 15, 4 p.m.: Driskill (Americana/country)
Oct. 15, 7 p.m.: Luxe Posh (DJ/dance)
Oct. 16, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.: Steve Hartsoe & The Beacon Souls (rock/Americana)
Oct. 16, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Ashley LaRue Band (reggae)
Oct. 16, 4 p.m.: Shame (hip-hop)
Oct. 16, 7 p.m.: Corey Hunt and the Wise (country/Americana)
Oct. 17, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.: Elle Stephens (pop)
Oct. 17, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Steel County Express (country/rock)
Oct. 17, 4 p.m.: Æther Realm (metal)
Oct. 17, 5:30 p.m.: Africa Unplugged (blues/dance)
Oct. 18, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Kate Rhudy (indie-folk/Americana)
Oct. 18, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.: Alex Lawhon & Sam Clowney (rock/pop)
Oct. 18, 5 p.m.: Wes Collins Trio (folk/Americana)
Oct. 19, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Carolina Soul Band
Oct. 19, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.: Maj Deeka (funk/jam)
Oct. 19, 5 p.m.: XOXOK (R&B/soul)
Oct. 20, 10:45 a.m.: N.C. State Fair Military Salute
Oct. 20, 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.: 440th Army Band
Oct. 21, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: In the Name of Love (U2 tribute)
Oct. 21, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.: The Sunday Special (funk/R&B)
Oct. 21, 5 p.m.: 2Digh4 (country/variety)
Oct. 22, 10 and 11:30 a.m.: Caroline Keller Band (country)
Oct. 22, 1 and 2:30 p.m.: For Good Measure (R&B/rock)
Oct. 22, 4 p.m.: Stellar Circuits (rock)
Oct. 22, 7 p.m.: Throwback Collaboration Band (R&B)
Oct. 23, 10 and 11:30 a.m.: Crucial Fiya (reggae)
Oct. 23, 1 and 2:30 p.m.: Brooke McBride (country)
Oct. 23, 4 p.m.: Dotway Media (hip hop/punk)
Oct. 23, 7 p.m.: Collapsis (rock/pop)
Oct. 24, 10 and 11:30 a.m.: Sydney Rose (pop/folk)
Oct. 24, 1 and 2:30 p.m.: Jack Marion & The Pearl Snap Prophets (Americana/country)
Oct. 24, 4 p.m.: Xtra Infinit Sounds ft. Mic Savvy, DJ Goku, D.U.O. and Beyond (hip hop)
Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m.: The Tan and Sober Gentlemen (celtic/punk)
Heritage Circle Stage
Oct. 14, 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Hank & Pattie Duo (progressive/bluegrass)
Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.: Joe Hott (bluegrass/traditional)
Oct. 16, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Carolina Line Bluegrass Band (bluegrass)
Oct. 17, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: The Nomads and Friends (bluegrass)
Oct. 18, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m.: Jon Shain & FJ Ventre (blues/folk)
Oct. 19, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.: Into the Fog (newgrass)
Oct. 20, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m.: GrassStreet (bluegrass)
Oct. 21, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m.: A Deeper Shade of Blue (bluegrass/gospel)
Oct. 22, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Megan Doss (country/classics)
Oct. 23, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Gap Civil (bluegrass)
Oct. 24, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: The Couldn’t Be Happiers (alt-country/folk)
This story was originally published October 13, 2021 at 2:29 PM.
