Press Releases

RALEIGH – The N.C. State Fair will be returning to the fairgrounds Oct. 17-27, so it’s time to start thinking about planning your visit. One great way to participate is by entering a competition, and the fair is currently welcoming people to show off their skills.

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RALEIGH -- The Got to Be NC Festival takes over the N.C. State Fairgrounds May 17-19 in Raleigh with plenty of food, fun, tractors, music, agricultural exhibits and activities for the whole family. 

The 2023 N.C. State Fair ended its 11-day run with a strong final weekend
that pushed total attendance to 926,425. Other fair highlights included a new auction record for
the Livestock Sale of Champions and strong participation for Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief

John Tyler Moore of Durham wrapped up the State Fair’s Home Chef Challenge series
with a first-place win for his Brunch Balls recipe in the Nahunta Pork Center’s Not Your Mama’s Sausage Balls Challenge. Moore won the opening day contest, too. He took home $500 prize for the win.

Sarah Hester of Knightdale won the N.C. State Fair’s Home Chef Challenge titled the “Summer Salad of the South: Kickin’ Chicken Salad Challenge” presented by House of Raeford Farms. Hester’s Curry Chicken Salad earned $500 in prize money.

Mother of four Kim Cooper of Carolina Beach earned a blue ribbon and a $500 prize in the Let's Get Cheesy: Mac-n-Cheese Challenge with her family recipe for Mema’s Mac & Cheese.

Savannah Ranson of Raleigh placed first in the Carnitas Street Taco Challenge
presented by Smithfield Foods. Her Blue Corn Carnitas Street Tacos won her the blue ribbon and
a prize of $500.

Taylor Weber of Raleigh placed first in the Cast Iron Chicken Pot Pie Challenge with her Spicy Green Chili and Sweet Corn Skillet Chicken Pot Pie. This was her first win at the Home Chef Challenge, and she took home $500 as a reward.

Registered Dietitian Sarah Hester of Knightdale took home the blue ribbon and a
$500 prize in the MREs in ’23: Make-Ahead Lunch Challenge presented by Wegmans with a
recipe for sweet potato beef taco skillet.