A food writer explores the North Carolina State Fair for the first time — and finds a buffet of global tastes hiding in plain sight.
north carolina state fair
A Brief History of the North Carolina State Fair
From Ferris wheels to funnel cakes, this timeline highlights 172 years of food and fun.
State of a Fair
What began as a gathering of growers looking for ways to improve North Carolina farming has evolved into a showcase of the best in food and fun that our state has to offer.
Tiny but Mighty
North Carolinian Georgia “Tiny” Broadwich was the first woman in history to parachute from an airplane.
The Fare of the North Carolina State Fair
We’ll be dreaming of those 11 delicious days in Raleigh until we’re back at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. For now, we’re fondly revisiting the best eats — and the friendliest faces — that only come around once a year.
Conquering the Midway
It may seem impossible to win that giant Jamaican banana at the hoop toss. But according to the Wake County law enforcement officers (and their kids) who work the game-testing beat, it just takes a little know-how.
Pickle It. Jam It. Win It.
It’s judgment day at the State Fair’s food preservation competitions: Lids pop, judges dig in, and the anticipation is so thick you could spread it on a nice, warm piece of toast.
Ambition Blooms
In flower and gardening categories, State Fair competitors with green thumbs (or not) pin their hopes on plants that often have a mind of their own.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Gold Standard
Our editor in chief reflects on the last eight years judging the North Carolina State Fair Special Cooking contests.
