News Summary
The final weekend of the North Carolina State Fair features lively events, including a notable concert by Brandon Lake. Although attendance is lower than previous years, the fair remains popular, with a robust lineup of activities and community support initiatives. Traffic advisories are in place to address potential congestion from both the fair and concert events.
Raleigh, North Carolina – Final Weekend of North Carolina State Fair Includes Concerts and Traffic Advisory
The last weekend of the North Carolina State Fair is underway, with numerous events attracting visitors despite a decline in overall attendance. A highlight of this weekend is a scheduled concert featuring Brandon Lake set for Sunday at the Lenovo Center, which is expected to draw an additional crowd of approximately 20,000 attendees.
Fair Activities and Atmosphere
The fair remains lively, especially on Friday nights, with bright lights illuminating the grounds as local crafts and baking competitions take center stage. Attendees have expressed enthusiasm for the variety of events, notably the baking show—a popular feature among visitors. However, fair organizers note that this weekend’s schedule overlaps with the Brandon Lake concert, which has impacted some aspects of attendance and logistical planning.
Attendance Trends and Economic Support
Current figures show a decrease in attendance, with fewer people visiting on seven out of the eight nights compared to last year. Despite this trend, fairgoers remain committed to enjoying the activities and supporting the local economy, which benefits from the influx of visitors and vendors. An estimated 130,000 people attended the last Saturday of the fair, with additional concert-goers expected at the Lenovo Center.
Special Events and Community Initiatives
On Thursday, October 23, the fair hosted Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day, offering free admission in exchange for donations of six non-perishable food items. Historically, this day has seen significant participation, making it one of the largest one-day canned-food drives in North Carolina. Since the event began in 1993, more than six million pounds of food have been donated to food banks across the state.
Traffic and Transportation Tips
The Raleigh Police Department is actively preparing for increased traffic congestion caused by the fair and concert events. Drawing on lessons from previous years, law enforcement authorities are implementing strategies to facilitate smoother traffic flow and reduce delays. Visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid heavy traffic and are encouraged to explore alternative routes to the fairgrounds. Police officials emphasize that the combination of events could lead to heavier than usual congestion, especially during peak hours.
Fairground Attractions and Features
The fair offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages. The Old Grits Mill, operational since the early 1980s, continues to provide educational demonstrations of milling cornmeal. Participants can collect a bag of grist or hushpuppy mix after viewing the process. The Flower & Garden Show showcases thousands of flowers, including a famous mum tree, along with a display of approximately 1,500 locally grown mums and 2,000 other plants. The show features competition among 26 gardens, categorized into student and professional groups, with all participating gardens receiving recognition.
Additional Attractions
Other popular features include the Butterfly Barn, scarecrows displays, a large red chair for photos, and a sensory garden designed to offer tactile and aromatic experiences. These attractions add diverse entertainment options for families and visitors seeking engaging outdoor activities during the fair’s final weekend.
In summary, the North Carolina State Fair’s closing weekend is marked by vibrant events, community-focused initiatives, and efforts to manage increased traffic. Despite challenges posed by lower attendance, organizers and law enforcement are working to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
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Additional Resources
- ABC11: NC State Fair Traffic Considerations
- WRAL: Donations for Free Admission at State Fair
- CBS17: Thousands Expected at Final Weekend of NC State Fair
- Spectrum Local News: NC State Fair Flower and Garden Show
- ABC11: Military Appreciation Day at NC State Fair
- Wikipedia: North Carolina State Fair
- Google Search: North Carolina State Fair
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Carolina State Fair
- Google News: North Carolina State Fair
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
