N.C. State Fair adds new entertainment and rides, marks return of popular acrobatic act and a park-and-ride option –

Contributed

RALEIGH – The 2024 N.C. State Fair is busy getting ready for fairgoers and visitors will find a mix of new entertainment joining popular returning acts plus the addition of a two new amusement rides at this year’s fair.

New acts

The Strolling Piano will make its debut at the 2024 State Fair and this engaging act tends to attract quite a few “followers” during each performance.

The piano itself is motorized and moves around the fairgrounds during each performance, so fairgoers often walk along with this roving act as the piano player takes requests and plays and sings popular songs that range from classic rock to Disney favorites. The Strolling Piano can be found near Gate 2 behind Dorton Arena near the SkyGazer Ferris Wheel.

Returning to the State Fair after a brief hiatus is the Red Trouser Show, featuring the energetic and acrobatic duo of David Graham and Tobin Renwick who do in fact perform in red trousers. The pair’s show combines balancing on each other’s heads with juggling tricks, plus they will juggle fire sticks, and they also balance on a freestanding ladder while supported by strong audience volunteers with ropes. Be sure to check out this exciting and dynamic show daily on the brick patio area in front of Dorton Arena.

“Part of the success of the N.C. State Fair is the blend of time-honored acts and exhibits with new entertainment and shows,” said Kent Yelverton, N.C. State Fair director. “Each year we seek to find the right mix to keep the fair fresh, but familiar.”

Another new exhibit comes courtesy of the N.C. Distillers Association, where fairgoers 21 and older can purchase North Carolina made spirits and cocktails at the new Stillhouse Building located down from the Gate 7 entrance near Heritage Circle. Cost will be $15 per drink with a limit of two drinks per person.

New rides this year will be the State Fair Slide, a giant 210-foot giant slide, and Candyland Adventure Funhouse – also a supersized experience.

GoRaleigh shuttles return to offer a park-and-ride route daily from The Triangle Town Center Shopping Mall to the fairgrounds. The non-stop express shuttles run every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. until fair closing. Cost is $5 round trip, or $4 one way and tickets can be purchased in advance through the UMO app. Half-price fares offered for seniors and passengers with disabilities. Kids under 40” tall ride for free. Look for the park and ride signs near the Dillard’s parking lot.

In the Flower and Garden Show area, look for new pumpkin carver Jim Bille Creatives for tips and techniques for creating realistic looking, but orange-colored faces on pumpkins. Fairgoers won’t want to miss this talented artist.

Celebrating 20 years – Field of Dreams and Working Tobacco Barn

This year, the Field of Dreams exhibit presented by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and the working tobacco barn in Heritage Circle are both celebrating their 20^th year educating fairgoers about North Carolina agriculture.

Stroll through the Field of Dreams exhibit and see some of North Carolina’s leading crops growing right in the ground beside Dorton Arena. Over the years, new features have been added to the exhibit including a coloring contest, free kiddie rides on battery-powered Jeeps and tractors, and a photo-op area to take your picture from your “day on the farm.”

Down in Heritage Circle, check out the working tobacco barn to see the curing process. If you are there on the first Friday, you can help fill the barn with tobacco and learn how to string or tie tobacco onto a stick for curing. There is a tobacco tying contest at 2 p.m. where anyone is welcome to sign up to compete as a three-person team of a stringer and two handers. If you are at the fair on the second Friday, stop by the Tobacco Pavilion at 2 p.m. for the annual mock tobacco auction to see how the Golden Leaf was traditionally sold.

Other popular returning free grounds acts include The Birdman: World Class Bird Show featuring birds of prey; Rock-It the Robot; Ember Fire Arts; Agri-cadabra – the Magic of Agriculture; and Hot Diggity Dog – a dog and hog act.

The Homegrown Music Fest is also returning to the fairgrounds with an impressive lineup of performers. Over 40 musical performers will grace the Waterfall and Heritage Circle stages at the N.C. State Fair this year.

The 2024 N.C. State Fair will run Oct. 17-27 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend, and is an unparalleled value with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors, and creative deep-fried delights.

For more information, visit www.ncstatefair.org.

About Author

Related