North Carolina State Fair

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox recurring event Template:Infobox NRHP The North Carolina State Fair is an American state fair and agricultural exposition held annually in Raleigh, North Carolina.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> Founded in 1853, the fair is organized by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> It attracts around a million visitors over eleven days in mid-October.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" />

The fair consists of carnival rides, agricultural exhibitions and competitions, food, music, demonstrations, and garden and craft displays.<ref name=":2" /> The North Carolina State Fair is one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the United States.<ref name=":2" />

Security guards, the Raleigh Police, the Wake County Sheriff's Office & North Carolina State Highway Patrol are the fair's patrollers.

History

The North Carolina State Agricultural Society organized the first North Carolina State Fair in 1853 at a Template:Convert site east of Raleigh.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /> This organization included some of the most influential men in North Carolina.<ref name=":21">Template:Cite book</ref> In addition to promoting North Carolina's farmers and agricultural produce, the Agricultural Society also wanted to create an event to "attract and encourage interaction among people from all sections of the state."<ref name=":3" /> In this era, the fair included horse races, political oration, marching bands, and military units on parade.<ref name=":3" />

In 1855, the State issued $1,500 a year to the Agricultural Society for the fair's operating expenses.<ref name=":3" /> Thomas Ruffin, president of the society, managed the fair from 1853 to 1859.<ref name=":3" /> It ceased operations from 1861 to 1868 during the Civil War and Reconstruction.<ref name=":3" />

The fair reopened in 1869 under the leadership of Kemp P. Battle.<ref name=":3" /> In 1873, the fair moved to a new location west of Raleigh on Hillsborough Street.<ref name=":4" /> The City of Raleigh helped acquire the Template:Convert site near the North Carolina Railroad.<ref name=":3" /> In the 1870s and 1880s, the mills in Winston-Salem would close so workers could attend the state fair in Raleigh.<ref name="winston-salem book">Template:Cite book</ref> By the start of the 20th century, the fair featured a midway with various attractions, human and animal freak shows, hoochie coochie shows, car and horse races, and thrill shows.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":21" /> The fair promoted agricultural reforms, new technologies, and scientific methods to the state's farmers.<ref name=":21" /> In 1900, the fair's attendance was 50,000.<ref name=":21" />

In 1917, a Woman's Building was added to the fairgrounds to recognize the contributions of North Carolina's women during World War I.<ref name=":21" /> Its dedication included an invocation by Sallie Cotton who founded the North Carolina Woman's Clubs.<ref name=":21" /> Other women spoke, including Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the United States Congress.<ref name=":21" />

Katherine Smith Reynolds because the first female executive committee member of the North Carolina State Agricultural Society, serving from 1918 to 1921.<ref name=":21" /> Edith Vanderbilt was the society's president from 1921 to 1924, serving as de fact fair chair and presiding over six men such as Josephus Daniels.<ref name=":21" /> Although adding women to the fair's board was progressive, it was also practical.<ref name=":21" /> Reynolds and Vanderbilt were two of the wealthiest individuals in the state.<ref name=":21" /> At the time, the cost of hosting the fair was increasing, and managing the mix of educational exhibits and commercial spectacles was expanding beyond the reach of a volunteer board.<ref name=":21" /> Vanderbilt got the fair back on a sound financial footing, "accomplishing what any number of men have failed to do."<ref name=":21" />

Following her success, Vanderbilt pressed the state for more financial support, speaking to the legislature from its floor.<ref name=":21" /> In return, she promised new buildings, better exhibits, and more attendees.<ref name=":21" /> One journalist wrote, "Mrs. Vanderbilt has given time, energy, and contagious enthusiasm, and men have found pleasure in helping her see her ambitions for North Carolina realized."<ref name=":21" />

Without Vanderbilt at its helm for 1925, the fair returned to shaky finances complicated by a site that was too small.<ref name=":3" /> The North Carolina State Agricultural Society did not hold the fair in 1926.<ref name=":3" /> When the society disbanded, the State took over the fair.<ref name=":3" /> In 1927, the North Carolina Legislature designated Template:Convert for new fairgrounds at the Blue Ridge Road and Hillsborough Street intersection on the west side of Raleigh.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /> This site is still used for the North Carolina State Fair but has expanded to Template:Convert.<ref name=":2" />

There was no fair in 1927 while the State developed the new fairgrounds.<ref name=":4" /> Wake Country contributed funds for new fairgrounds buildings, supplementing the proceeds from selling the former Agricultural Society's property.<ref name=":3" /> The fair returned in 1928 with record crowds.<ref name=":4" /> New structures include livestock barns and commercial and educational buildings.<ref name=":4" />

The State assigned the fair's operation to the State Board of Agriculture in 1930.<ref name=":3" /> That year, circus promoter George A. Hamid Sr. secured a lease to operate the fair.<ref name=":3" /> Hamid owned Atlantic City's Million Dollar Pier and a circus.<ref name=":3" /> Under his leadership, the fair's grandstand featured circus-type acts, a trend that continued through the 1960s.<ref name=":3" /> The fair was also a popular oratory stop for presidential candidates, including William Jennings Bryan, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and President Theodore Roosevelt.<ref name=":3" />

File:North Carolina State Fair, aerial (22126454222).jpg

Aerial view of North Carolina State Fair, 1974

File:NC state fair 2015.jpg

The fair midway, 2015

Hamid ran the fair until 1937, when W. Kerr Scott, the new state commissioner of agriculture, convinced the legislature to make the fair a division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.<ref name=":3" /> When Kerr ran for office, part of his platform was to return the fair to state oversight.<ref name=":3" /> Since 1937, the fair is part of the Department of Agriculture, now the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.<ref name=":3" />

The fair ceased operations between 1942 and 1945 because of World War II. Beginning in 1948, the fair contracted with the James E. Strates Shows to provide the midway rides and shows.<ref name=":3" /> The fair continued to be a popular stop for presidents seeking reelection, including Presidents Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, and George H. W. Bush.<ref name=":3" />

Today, the fair is self-supporting and does not receive state funding.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite web</ref> Its profits are reinvested in the fairgrounds.<ref name=":7" /> In 2010, the fair broke an attendance record with 1,091,887 visitors.<ref name="NC State Fair website">Template:Cite web</ref>

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State canceled the 2020 fair.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name=":8">Template:Cite web</ref> It resumed in 2021.<ref name=":9">Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Dorton Arena during State Fair, 1960s (22112868996).jpg

Dorton Arena during the fair, 1960s

Buildings

The fairground's most significant structure is J. S. Dorton Arena, a 7,500-seat stadium designed by architects Matthew Nowicki and William Henry Deitrick in 1949.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":2" /> Completed in 1953 as a livestock-judging pavilion, it features a large suspended roof and was the first indoor arena designed without any columns, becoming a model for future superdome structures.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":19">Template:Cite web</ref> Opening for the centennial of the fair's founding, Dorton Arena "became the symbol of the modern fair."<ref name=":3" /> In 1957, the American Institute of Architects selected it as one of ten 20th-century buildings that would shape American architecture.<ref name=":19" /> Dorton Arena was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":19" />

The North Carolina State Commercial & Education Buildings are the fairgrounds' oldest permanent buildings.<ref name=":4" /> Built in 1928, this pair of rectangular exhibition halls are Spanish Mission Revival style or Mediterranean Revival style buildings.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="nrhpinv">Template:Cite web</ref> Atwood and Weeks, an architectural firm from Durham, designed the stucco-covered buildings.<ref name=":4" /> The twin buildings appear as a single structure because of their unified façade with tower-flanked entrances and glazed terra cotta ornamentation.<ref name="nrhpinv" /> Together, this building complex is Template:Convert in length and Template:Convert in depth.<ref name="nrhpinv" /> It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark.<ref name="nrhpinv" /><ref name=":4" />

The Template:Convert Jim Graham Building, the Governor James E. Holshouser Building, and the Governor W. Kerr Scott Building became part of the fairgrounds in the 1970s.<ref name=":3" /> Newer additions include the Template:Convert Agri-Supply Exposition Center, the Sam G. Rand Grandstand (formerly the State Fairgrounds Speedway), the Template:Convert Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, and the new James Robert "Bob" Stanfield Natural Resources Center.<ref name=":20">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The fairgrounds also contain the Pitzer Heritage Circle and the Heritage Tobacco Pavilion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Exhibits

The fair includes many exhibits, including the Antique Farm Machinery exhibit, the Flower and Garden Show, the North Carolina Forest Service and North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation exhibit, and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission exhibit.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":20" /> The Field of Dreams is a mini-farm where children can see how food is grown, taste produce, and watch a rabbit race.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Got to Be NC Agriculture features cooking demonstrations, pop-up cooking contests, and free food samples.<ref name=":5" />

The Heritage Circle consists of historic buildings, blacksmith and gristmill demonstrations, and samples of apple cider and hush puppies.<ref name=":5" /> The Village of Yesteryear features artists and crafters creating, displaying, and selling handmade crafts.<ref name=":5" /> The State Fair Ark has more than fifty animals on display, including cattle, goats, sheep, and swine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:NC State Fair from Ferris Wheel.jpg

Midway view from Ferris wheel

Competitions

The state fair provides ample opportunities for North Carolinians to enter competitions, with some 36,000 entries in 2021.<ref name=":13">Template:Cite web</ref> The fair awards prizes for artwork, cake decorating, canned food, floral arrangements, cut flowers, garden design, handicrafts, home furnishings, quilting, shoe decorating, and terrarium building.<ref name=":14">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":15">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":13" /> In addition, judges review honey, produce, livestock, poultry, and rabbits.<ref name=":14" /> There is also a Heritage Tobacco Harvest Competition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Newer competitive categories include Christmas tree decorations, graphic design, and robotics.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":16">Template:Cite web</ref> There is also a Home Chef Challenge and competitions for apprentices in carpentry, cosmetology, electrical, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":16" /> Winners receive cash prizes.<ref name=":15" />

The North Carolina State Fair Horse Show and Hunter Jumper Show takes place before, during, and after the fair at the Governor James B. Hunt Horse Complex.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Folk Festival was first held at the fair in 1948 to showcase North Carolina's traditional music and dance.<ref name=":17">Template:Cite web</ref> More than 1,500 people participate yearly for the coveted Bascom Lamar Lunsford Trophy, named after the festival's founder.<ref name=":17" />

File:NC State Fair Sunset.jpg

Midway at sunset

Entertainment

Carnival rides

In 2004, Powers Great American Midways, based out of Burgaw, North Carolina, won the midway contract for the fair.<ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":7" /> Powers Great American Midways and Wade Shows provide more than 100 rides, carnival games, and concessions on the midway.<ref name=":11" /> One of the rides is the SkyGazer, the largest traveling Ferris wheel in the United States; it seats 200 people and is Template:Convert tall.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":11" />

Live Music

Traditionally, Dorton Arena has nightly concerts, showcasing country, rock, and R&B music.<ref name=":2" /> Past acts include American Aquarium, Clay Aiken, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dillon Fence, Florida Georgia Line, Hot Chelle Rae, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Kansas, Chris Lane, Kimberly Locke, Toby Mac, Pure Prairie League, Sister Hazel, Skillet, and Superchunk.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For 2022, the fair decided to use Dorton Arena for non-music events.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Homegrown Music Festival features more than 100 concerts by local musical acts on two stages throughout the day.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8" />

File:Monster Truck Destruction Derby at NC State Fair 2016 (30489101786).jpg

Monster Truck Destruction Derby at the fair, 2016

File:Fireworks over North Carolina State Fair 2009.jpg

Fireworks at the fair, 2009

Shows and events

The Sam Rand Grandstand hosts special events, including the Tractor Pull, the Demolition Derby, the Canine Stars, and the King Action Sports Stunt Show.<ref name=":6" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other popular acts include the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, racing pigs at Hogway Speedway, and various roaming acts.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":10">Template:Cite web</ref> The Kiddieland Fun Park caters to children with stage shows and attractions.<ref name=":10" /> There are also nightly fireworks displays.<ref name=":5" />

The State Fair Flyer

Introduced in 2016, the State Fair Flyer is a Template:Convert high sky chairlift ride with 126 seats that hang from a cable stretching more than Template:Convert across the fairgrounds.<ref name=":1" /> The ride moves Template:Convert and lasts ten minutes.<ref name=":11">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":1" /> American Sky Lifts, based in Sanford, owns and built the massive machine for one million dollars.<ref name=":1" /> The fair has a ten-year lease for the lift with an option for a ten-year renewal.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Amtrak station

Template:Main During the fair, NC By Train establishes a temporary train station adjoining the fair grounds, which is served by Amtrak's Carolinian and Piedmont.<ref name=NCDOTfallstops23/><ref name=GettoFair23/>

Accidents and incidents

On October 24, 2013, five people received injuries when the Vortex ride restarted as they exited the ride, operated by Powers Great American Midways.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":12" /> The injured ranged in age between 14 and 39 and were all hospitalized—some with serious injuries.<ref name=":18">Template:Cite web</ref> On October 29, 2013, the operator of the ride, Timothy Dwayne Tutterow, was charged with three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon for inflicting serious bodily injury in connection with the accident.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In June 2015, Tutterow pled guilty but was not sentenced as part of a plea arrangement to testify against the ride owner, Joshua Gene Macaroni. On February 19, 2016, Macaroni served thirty days in jail.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Other resources

• McLaurin, Melton Alonza. The North Carolina State Fair: The First 150 Years. Raleigh: Office of Archives and History, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, 2003. Template:ISBN

External links

• Online archive of State Fair Premium Lists, 1860 to 2011, from the State Library of North Carolina.
• Photo Gallery by David Brabyn: food vendor stands at 2008 North Carolina State Fair
• Photo Gallery of the 2021 NC State Fair, WRAL
• State Fair Digital Collection, North Carolina Digital Collections