RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — It’s that time again, the NC State Fair is coming to town.

In addition to popular returning acts, trade fair visitors can also expect new entertainment and two new rides in 2024. There will also be 72 new food options for visitors to try.

Tickets and dates

The 2024 NC State Fair will take place Thursday, October 17th through Sunday, October 27th.

You can now purchase tickets online.

Offers and discounts

New rides include a 210-foot-long giant slide and a 130-foot-long Candy Adventure Fun House.

New entertainment

• Strolling piano – A motorized piano moves around the fairgrounds during the performances. Fairgoers typically accompany this roving group as the piano player takes requests and plays and sings popular songs ranging from classic rock to Disney favorites, fair organizers say.

• Pumpkin artist Jim Bille will be added this year. He will pursue sculpting and carving. Trade fair visitors can watch as he brings new creations to life. Billie will be in the flower and garden show area.

Transportation and parking

Free parking is available most days at the State Fair and Carter-Finley Football Stadium, as well as the Lenovo Center.

There is also free off-site parking at the Dogwood Lot (4501 Reedy Creek Road) and Cardinal Lot (5766 Chapel Hill Road). These will take place on October 17th from 11:00 a.m. to one hour after gates close and from October 18th to 27th from 9:00 a.m. to one hour after gates close.

Free shuttles are continuously available near these parking lots:

• Cardinal Lot: Drop off/pick up at the new Gate 7 on Youth Center Drive
• Dogwood Lot: Drop-off/Pick-up across Trinity Road at Gate 8

Residents also often convert parts of their property into small parking spaces. This is not controlled by the trade fair.

AMTRAK will also operate a special train stop directly in front of Gate 1 of the fair.

Detailed information about parking spaces, park-and-ride locations and opening times can be found here.

Clear bag policy

The state fair’s clear bag policy remains in effect this year.

If you have a transparent bag, you can get through security much faster. Any size and type of clear bags is acceptable. If you don’t have a clear bag, go to the bag search line.

Outdoor food and drink, bottled water, diaper bags containing baby/toddler items, and medications are permitted. Alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, knives, brass knuckles, batons and/or weapons of any kind are not permitted.

Special event days

Wolf Pack Day – October 17th
Current NC State students receive $8 admission when they show their student ID at the entrance.

Accessibility Day – October 20th
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following awaits you:

Rides and games will be held without lights or music, as will vendors at their stalls. Music only plays acoustic sets with light amplification.

The public address system is only used for announcements of lost visitors.

Senior Day – Oct. 22nd
People aged 65 and over receive free entry to the fair.

Beginning at 9 a.m., Bojangles’ cookies and coffee will be served at the Senior Fun Fest on the Dorton Terrace near the waterfall. Afterwards there will be a program at 10 a.m. with Commissioner Steve Troxler and music

Military Appreciation Day – October 23rd

The state fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. military. At 10 a.m. there will be a parade that starts in the middle of the carnival. Then it goes through Kiddieland, past the Scott Building and back to the middle distance.

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day – October 24th

Bring six cans of food to the fair gate and receive free admission to the NC State Fair!

The day of the famine dates back to 1993 at the fair. According to its website, fairgoers have since donated 6 million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and its affiliates.

It has grown into one of the largest one-day canned food drives in the state.

For more information about special event days, visit the NC State Fair website.

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