Special Event Days

Wolfpack Day

Thursday, Oct. 17 - $8 Student Admission for NC State Students

Students at NC State get admission for just $8 by showing their NC State Student ID card at the gate!

This offer is only available at the gate on Thursday, Oct.17 and is valid only for students.

accessABILITY Day presented by Bandwidth

Sunday, Oct. 20

Running from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, visitors can expect the following on accessABILITY Day:

• When gates open at 9 a.m., vendors and booths will operate without lights or music until  1 p.m.
• Rides and games begin at 10 a.m. and will also operate without music or lights until 1 p.m.
• Music stages will only play acoustic sets with light amplification.
• The public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements.

Activities on accessABILITY Day include:

• A “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” will be available to guests in the Graham Building with tables/chairs, low lighting and soft music playing for those who need to take a break from the busy atmosphere outside (9a.m. - 5 p.m.).
• Guests can compete in specially designed inclusive and/or adaptive “on the spot” competitions (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.).
• Noise cancelling headphones will be available to check out in the “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” for those who need them (9a.m. - 5 p.m.).

Senior Citizens' Day 

Tuesday, Oct. 22

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, seniors ages 65+ get free admission to the Fair! Beginning at 9 a.m., while supplies last, Bojangles' biscuits and coffee will be served on the Dorton Patio near the Waterfall at the Senior Fun Fest. A program with Commissioner Steve Troxler and music will kick-off at 10 a.m.

Accessible parking is available on a first come, first served basis outside Gate 10. Access the parking lot via Trinity Road. Overflow parking and overflow handicap parking will be available at Carter Finley Stadium (Gate A). Trams will be available to move fairgoers from the parking lot to Dorton Arena. Buses may drop off passengers at Gate 1, the closest gate to all the activities in Dorton Arena and then move to Carter-Finley Stadium for parking.

Military Appreciation Day

Wednesday, Oct. 23

The N.C. State Fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. Military for their service to the country on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Join us for a parade through the grounds at 10 a.m. Starting in the carnival midway, the parade will make its way through Kiddieland, past the Scott Building and back through the carnival midway.

Military Appreciation Day Waterfall Stage Activity Schedule

10:45 a.m. – Military Appreciation Day Program

11:15 a.m. – Vanguard Brass Quintet

12:15 p.m. – N.C. Department of Cultural and Natural Resources Military Uniform Revue

1:15 p.m. – Vanguard Brass Quintet

4 p.m. – Travis “Big T” Russell

6 p.m. – Travis “Big T” Russell

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day

Thursday, October 24 - Bring 6 food items and get in free! (Not just cans in 2024. With donations this year going to western N.C. Hurricane Helene relief efforts, other food items are encouraged.)

Hunger Relief Day began at the N.C. State Fair in 1993 and since then, fairgoers have donated over 6 million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and its partners. It has become one of the largest one-day canned-food drives in the state.

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day will take place on Thursday, Oct. 24. Fairgoers can bring six food items to the fair gates to exchange for free admission.

This year all the food raised during Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day will be sent to western North Carolina to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

• Peanut butter and jams (larger plastic jars)
• Chicken, tuna, or salmon (in pouches or pop-top cans)
• Ravioli and other ready-to-heat meals (in pop-top cans)
• Crackers (boxes or sealed containers)
• Dried or canned fruit (sealed containers or pop-top cans)
• Granola or protein bars (boxes with individually-wrapped contents)

Discounts & Deals
 

Daily Military Discount

Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64) pay only $8 daily at the gate. That’s a 38% discount! Veterans are offered the same discount for themselves, plus one discounted ticket for a guest or dependent, for a total of two tickets at the reduced rate. 

Identification accepted for discount:

• Valid Uniformed Services ID
• Valid Common Access Card (CAC)
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with Veteran Designation
• Valid Veteran's Affairs Health Identification Card
• Photocopy of valid DD-214 Form
• Photocopy of valid NGB-22 Form

Dizzy Pass - $38

Advance Sale Only: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17
(AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY)

Includes:
1 Gate Admission Ticket
1 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Kegs & Corks Pass - $17

Advance Sale Only: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17
(AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY)

Includes:
1 Gate Admission Ticket
1 Public House Beer/Wine ticket providing your choice of a 16oz. craft beer or a 6oz. wine.

State Fair Flyer - $17

Advance Sale Only: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17

Includes:
1 Gate Admission Tickets
1 Round-Trip State Fair Flyer Tickets

State Fair SkyGazer - $14

Advance Sale Only: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17

Includes:
1 Gate Admission Ticket
1 State Fair SkyGazer Ticket

Weekday Lunch Pass Program - ADMISSION ONLY

Take your lunch break at the fair!

Visit the fair only between 11:30 and 1:30 on a weekday to get in free!  

• Visit Gate 9 off Trinity Road, or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street ONLY after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays. This offer is not valid at other gates or on weekends.
• Purchase a lunch card at the gate for $20 with cash (cash sales only).
• Buy your lunch from the many fair food vendors on site. Fair food vendors take cash. ATMS are available inside the fairgrounds.
• Return the lunch card by 1:30 p.m. to the same gate you entered on the same day purchased the card for a full $20 cash refund.
• If you leave later than 1:30 p.m., then you forfeit your $20. The card is good only on the day purchased. This program is only for adult admission, no food is included.