The North Carolina State Fair is an annual fair and agricultural exposition held in Raleigh, North Carolina, and organized by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.HistoryThe North Carolina State Fair was first held by the North Carolina State Agricultural Society at a site east of Raleigh in 1853. The event has been held at three different locations since, finding its current home in 1928. It has been celebrated continuously since 1853, with the exceptions of 1861 to 1869 (during the Civil War and Reconstruction), 1926 to 1927 (when the Agricultural Society disbanded and the state Agriculture Department took over operations), and 1942 to 1945 (during World War II). In the 1870s and 1880s, the mills in Winston-Salem would close so that workers could attend the state fair in Raleigh.The fair has been held at its present site on the western edge of Raleigh since 1928. The 344 acre site includes many notable buildings, including Dorton Arena, a 7,500-seat arena constructed with a unique large suspended roof.Held for 11 days in mid-October, the fair attracts more than a million people to the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. In 2010, the fair broke an attendance record with 1,091,887.Along with Dorton Arena, the North Carolina State Fair Commercial & Education Buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The pair of large rectangular exhibition halls were built in 1928, and are stucco-covered Mediterranean Revival style buildings. The buildings appear as a single building because of their unified facade and design, but are a large rectangular complex of two buildings, 504 feet in length and 80 feet in depth. They feature twin, tower-flanked entrances and glazed terra cotta ornamentation.
J.S. Dorton Arena is a 7,610-seat multi-purpose arena located in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the grounds of the North Carolina State Fair. It opened in 1952.Architect Maciej Nowicki was killed in an airplane crash before the construction phase, and local architect William Henley Dietrick supervised the completion of the arena using Nowicki's innovative design. Its design features a steel cable supported saddle-shaped roof in tension, held up by parabolic concrete arches in compression. The arches cross about 20 feet above ground level and continue underground, where the ends of the arches are held together by more steel cables in tension. The outer walls of the arena support next to no weight at all. Incorporating an unusual elliptical design by Matthew Nowicki, of the North Carolina State University Department of Architecture, the arena was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973. Originally named the "State Fair Arena", it was dedicated to Dr. J. S. Dorton, former North Carolina State Fair manager, in 1961.In the past, it has hosted many sporting events, concerts, political rallies and circuses.SportsThe longest serving tenant was the Raleigh IceCaps (ECHL) ice hockey team from 1991 - 1998. The American Basketball Association's Carolina Cougars also played some games there from 1969 - 74. It was also the home of the Carolina Rollergirls (WFTDA).
Holiday arts and crafts show. Nc state fairgrounds.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to this year's Raleigh Classic. The auction will again be held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC. All vehicles will be displayed inside the climate controlled Jim Graham Building and the adjoining Exposition Building. Truly good quality, old cars are becoming extremely difficult to find. This event offers a great selection of: - Rare muscle cars - Mint unrestored originals and rare convertibles from the '30s to mid-'80s - Special trucks, vans, and wagons - Stunning examples of British Classics and sports cars
For over 25 years the Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival has been a Thanksgiving tradition in Raleigh. Over 250 exhibitors showcasing thousands of one-of-a kind creations in art, pottery, fabric, apparel, wood, jewelry, floral, holiday foods, and many, many specialty gifts for that hard to find person on your gift list! Santa arrives on Friday morning and will be here all weekend to share that special moment with your child!
The Raleigh Flea Market at the Historic State Fairgrounds has been a Triangle tradition since 1971. Our fun, family-friendly atmosphere draws tens of thousands of shoppers. The flea market showcases more than 600 vendors, offering everything from antiques and collectibles to handicrafts, furniture, homemade goodies, clothing, jewelry, and…well, the list just goes on and on! Visit us every Saturday & Sunday from 9am–6pm. Admission and parking are FREE. Tour buses are welcome!