Sunday, October 15

Running from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, visitors can expect the following on accessABILITY Day:
• Rides and games will open at 10 a.m. and will operate with no lights or music playing.
• Vendors will operate with no lights or music at their booths.
• Music stages will only play acoustic sets with light amplification.
• The public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements.

All-day 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.
• Guests can compete in specially designed inclusive and/or adaptive “on the spot” competitions.
• Adult changing stations will be added into existing family restrooms as space allows and will be available year-round.
• Noise cancelling headphones will be available to check out in the “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” for those who need them.
• Guidebooks will be available to download online or pick up from guest services highlighting all the inclusive activities and amenities the Fair offers.

Check out all the details on N.C. State Fair accessABILITY Day presented by Bandwidth here!

Tuesday, October 17

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, 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.

Wednesday, October 18

The N.C. State Fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. Military for their service to the country on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

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

Full schedule coming soon!

Thursday, October 19

Bring 6 cans of food and get in free!

Hunger Relief Day began at the N.C. State Fair in 1993 and since then, fairgoers have donated over 5.8 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. 19. Fairgoers can bring six cans of food to the fair gates to exchange for free admission.

Dizzy Pass - $38

Advance Sale Only: August 15-October 12

Includes:

1 Gate Admission Ticket

1 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Dizzy Passes are only available online in advance of the Fair and must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Each wristband will be valid for one day only during the 2023 N.C. State Fair. Advance sale wristband vouchers will be redeemed at the N.C. State Fair Ride Ticket Plazas. Unlimited Ride Wristbands do NOT include admission to the N.C. State Fair and are not valid at the State Fair Flyer or State Fair SkyGazer.

Rider must be present at redemption for wristband to be applied.

Ride Ticket Plazas are located near Gates 7, 8 and 9 or front of Dorton Arena. Look for the neon green tents with stars on top. Tents will be open on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 12 p.m.-10 p.m. and then daily from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Carnival Ticket Plazas located in each Midway will be open during all carnival operating hours.

Kegs & Corks Pass - $17

Online Advance Sale Only: August 15-October 12

Includes:

1 Gate Admission Ticket

Kegs & Corks Passes are only available online in advance of the Fair and must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12.

IDs will be checked at the door. Patrons under 21 may enter the indoor seating area and outdoor picnic area around the NC Public House, but may not enter the Beer+Wine service area where alcohol is served.

State Fair Flyer Package - $34

Online Advance Sale Only: August 15-October 12

Includes:

2 Gate Admission Tickets

2 Round-Trip State Fair Flyer Tickets

State Fair Flyer tickets are not valid for carnival rides.

State Fair Flyer tickets purchased online may be redeemed at the State Fair Flyer. This package is only available online in advance of the Fair and must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12.

State Fair SkyGazer - $14

Online Advance Sale Only: August 15-October 12

Includes:

1 Gate Admission Ticket

1 State Fair SkyGazer Ticket

State Fair SkyGazer tickets are not valid for carnival rides.

State Fair SkyGazer tickets purchased online may be redeemed at the State Fair SkyGazer. This package is only available online in advance of the Fair and must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Tools For Schools Program - $$ For Your School

Online Advance Sale Only: August 15-October 12

For every Advance Adult Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $2 to the school. For every Advance Child Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $1 to the school.

To support your school, simply enter your school code under "Membership" at check-out on the Tools for Schools link. This promotion is only available online in advance of the Fair. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12.

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! Proper identification (outlined below) must be presented at the ticket window to receive this discount. One valid identification is required per discounted ticket.

Additionally, 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. Proper identification (outlined below) must be presented at the ticket window to receive this discount.

This offer is available in advance of the Fair at our retail locations at Gate 9 at the State Fairgrounds, The N.C. Museum of History and the State Farmers' Market. You must present proper identification at the ticket window to receive this discount. A valid identification must be presented for each discounted ticket. This offer is NOT available online or at Circle K.

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