Enjoy performances by a magician and high-flying acrobats, and don’t leave early: Each night, thanks to local donations, kids can enter to win a free bicycle. — Rebekah Mann
Play a round of Agri-Golf — fun and educational mini-golf chock-full of state-specific agriculture facts — at this 92nd annual fair. — E.K.
Celebrate the rich agricultural and industrial histories of the area during this fair’s Diamond Jubilee in honor of 75 years. Don’t miss the rodeo and livestock shows. — E.K.
To ensure their kid-size, self-led scavenger hunt is perfect, local collectors Ed and Lisette Diehl begin setting up their G-scale trains and model circus a month in advance. The local Triple C Farm Party petting zoo is also a favorite, with goats, sheep, bunnies, and a pig named Strawberry. — R.M.
Explore local agriculture at this 101-year-old fair, plus check out the chainsaw artist, who carves on-site daily, and new events like “K9s in Flight,” featuring high-flying Frisbee dogs. — R.M.
A hammer and ratchet announce the return of the Lenoir County Agricultural Fair, a 110-year-old tradition that draws some 14,000 people to the fairgrounds in Kinston. There are agricultural exhibits and competitions, a tractor-driving contest, cheer competition, demolition derby, casserole cook-off, and talent show for county school kids. Click here to read the full story about the fair from our September 2025 issue.
This 143-year-old regional fair was first held as a grain exposition. It honors its roots in Yesterday Village, where traditions like early American pottery and blacksmithing are brought to life. — R.M.
For more than 150 years, agriculture has remained at the heart of this fair, which boasts prizewinning vegetable and livestock shows, including ones — like “Little Ewe” — that even the youngest farmers can take part in. — Ella Klein
crowncomplexnc.com/cumberlandcountyfair
At Heritage Circle, artisans gather each year to engage the public with traditional Appalachian crafts like wood carving, basket weaving, and blacksmithing. The fair also hosts numerous competitions, from clogging to ice cream eating. — E.K.
wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair
This iconic thoroughfare in the heart of Greensboro has evolved into a modern-day creative hub with a vibrancy maintained by the many people who walk its streets and celebrate its history.
In the hush of the off-season, delight in some of our coast’s quieter highlights.
Wherever he rambles, our resident traveler finds comfort in a cup of joe.
Somewhere between cutting fries and scrubbing the grills at her first restaurant management job, one chef found love. When she and her husband crave familiar flavors, these are the recipes she makes.
