Frequently Asked Questions - 2008 N.C. State Fair

General Information

What are the dates of the N.C. State Fair?
The 2008 N.C. State Fair runs Thursday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 26.
What is the physical address of the State Fairgrounds?
1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 See map in Mapquest
What are the hours?
Tthe gates are open 9 a.m. to midnight. Exhibit halls are open 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Midway rides and games open 10 a.m. to midnight. Ticket sales end at 9:45 p.m. Only people with advance tickets can enter between 9:45 p.m. and midnight.
What are the closest hotels to the fairgrounds?
There are two hotels within walking distance to the Fair, but they fill up fast. Blue Ridge Ramada Inn, 1520 Blue Ridge Road, (919) 832-4100; and the Comfort Suites Arena, 1200 Hurricane Alley Way, (919) 854-0502.

Please visit the Raleigh Convention and Visitor's Bureau Web site to search for more lodging options: www.visitraleigh.com/visit/lodging.html.
Are pets allowed inside the gates during the N.C. State Fair?
No, companion animals are not allowed inside the N.C. State Fair. The noises, sounds and crowds are too much to ask an animal to endure. We do welcome service animals, which are trained to handle these experiences.
Will there be a special day for military families to attend for free?
Yes, Wednesday, Oct. 22. Military families and up to four guests will be admitted for free.
When is Senior Citizen's Day?
Senior Day is Tuesday, Oct. 21. The Senior Citizen Fun Fest will be held in Dorton Arena at 9 a.m. and features a free breakfast sponsored by Bojangles'.

Gate and Ride Tickets

How much is admission to the N.C. State Fair?
Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $2 for children and free for seniors 65 and over, and children under 5. Click on the Tickets page for more information and discounts offered during the advance sale period.
Can I buy my tickets over the phone?
No. For more information, go to the Tickets page.
Can I buy tickets using a credit card?
Yes. See the Tickets page for locations and options.
Do I have to buy my tickets in advance?
No, you do not have to buy tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased at any gate the day you attend the Fair.
Will there be special discount days?
Yes. Hunger Relief Day at the Fair will be held Thursday, Oct. 23. The popular event allows fairgoers to gain free admission to the Fair by donating four cans of food to North Carolina hunger-relief efforts. This is one of the largest one-day canned-food drives in the state, held each year to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
Military families will be admitted free on Military Appreciation Day, Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Can I use last year's ride tickets this year?
No. Ride tickets are good only for the year purchased.
Can I purchase Unlimited ride passes?
No, there is not an unlimited ride pass.
How much are ride tickets? Can I buy a ride book?
For more information, go to the Tickets page.
How many tickets are needed for each ride?
Kiddie rides are typically two to three tickets each. Bigger rides are three to five tickets each and large, spectacular rides are up to six tickets each.
Does my concert ticket get me into the Fair?
No, you still need to buy a gate admission ticket to the get into the Fair.
I have a problem with my eTix order. Who do I contact?
Please call 919-653-0444 ext. 4 or e-mail support@etix.com

Transportation

How do I get to the N.C. State Fairgrounds? What is the street address?
Click here for detailed directions. The street address is 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC 27607. See map in Mapquest
Will buses provide transportation to the Fair?
Please see the Alternative Transportation page for more information.
Can I take the train to the Fair?
Yes. For more information, go to www.bytrain.org.

Persons with Disabilties

Can a person with disabilties attend the Fair?
Yes, all buildings at the Fairgrounds have been modified to standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Is parking available for persons with disabilities?
Yes, there is a parking area at the corner of Blue Ridge and Trinity roads, outside Gate 10 for vehicles with a handicap placard or license plate. This parking area is accessed from Trinity Road. Once that lot fills up, overflow will go into a handicapped area at Carter Finley Stadium.
Are wheelchairs and scooters available for rent on the Fairgrounds?
Yes, a vendor is set up near Gate 10. Call 919-612-5132. Prices range from $15-40.

Tip: Bring a cell phone with you if you plan to rent a scooter. The vendor will come and get you if your scooter runs out of battery power.
Can I rent wheelchairs and scooters in advance ?
No, rentals are available on a first come, first serve basis. A vendor is set up near Gate 10. Call 919-612-5132. Prices range from $15-40.
Can I bring my Seeing Eye Dog?
Yes. Trained service animals are welcome at the Fair.
Can I bring my own golf cart?
No, we do not allow personal golf carts on the grounds due to liability issues.
I need handicap-accessible concert seating. What do I do?
There is not an option to buy handicap accessible seating on the web site. This is to prevent able-bodied persons from purchasing these tickets. If you need wheelchair accessible seating, please purchase tickets like anyone else online. When you arrive, go to the side of the building that your ticket says (North or South). When you come into Dorton, you and one guest will be moved to a wheelchair accessible area. There are four wheelchair accessible sections and each section holds 20 people. If the section does not fill up by the time the concert starts, a person may have two more people from his/her party join them in that section. If these four areas fill up, people will be taken around to the west side of Dorton and brought in on the floor. Handicap parking is at Gate 10 on Trinity Road. All of our buildings are ADA compliant.

Working at the Fair

How can I get a job at the State Fair?
The Employment Security Commission handles all short-term employment contracts. Please call (919) 212-3849. All full-time positions are posted on the Office of State Personnel Web site when available.
I would like to be a vendor at the State Fair. Can I get a space?
There is a very low turnover for commercial space at the North Carolina State Fair. We do look for unique products and services to add to the quality vendors already at the fair. The deadline for applications was July 1. The Fair is no longer accepting applications for vendors.
How can I be an entertainer at the State Fair?
The entertainment for the 2008 State Fair has been finalized. To be considered for 2009, please send promotional materials in December to: Mike Pleasant, Assistant Manager, N.C. State Fair, 1010 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1010.

Kids at the Fair

Are there strollers for rent?
Yes, you can rent strollers and wagons at Gates 8 & 9. Prices range from $8-15.
Can I bring snacks with me?
Yes, you can bring food and drinks with you. Please no glass bottles. Alcohol is prohibited on the fairgrounds.
Can I bring a diaper bag or backpack with me?
Yes, you can bring a bag with you. It is subject to search at the gate.
Do you have changing rooms or family restrooms?
Yes, there are changing tables in most restrooms and family restrooms in the Martin and Expo buildings.
Do you have an area for nursing mothers?
Yes, there are mothers' rooms in the Scott, Martin, Expo and Graham buildings.

Competitions

How do you enter the competitions?
To enter any of the competitions, you need to consult the State Fair Premium Book, which lists all the rules, deadlines and entry forms. Check the competitions page then to access the premium book online. The printed version of the publication will be available at the Fairgrounds in early August.

Entertainment

How can I participate in the Demolition Derby?
For information on the Demolition Derby, held the last weekend of the State Fair, Oct. 24-26 contact Frank Roberts of Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby at (888) 361-5767. Anyone winning a demolition derby event at an agricultural fair in North Carolina is automatically qualified for the State Championship at the N.C. State Fair.
How can I be an entertainer at the State Fair?
The entertainment for the 2008 State Fair has been finalized. To be considered for 2009, please send promotional materials in December to: Mike Pleasant, Assistant Manager, N.C. State Fair, 1010 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1010.

Concerts

How can I get concert tickets?
Tickets will be on sale via the Internet from August 1 through the date of the concert, unless it sells out beforehand. Once the Fair starts, tickets will also be available at the Dorton Arena box office on the North Side of Dorton Arena. Go to the Dorton page to link to the online sales via eTix.
Do I need to purchase admission tickets in addition to the concert tickets?
Yes, you do need to purchase gate admission tickets to get into the fairgrounds to get to Dorton Arena. However, we hope you come early and take some time to enjoy the State Fair in addition to the premium concerts we are offering. Please see the ticket page for advance sale options. You can purchase tickets online at the same time as your concert tickets.
I need handicap-accessible concert seating. What do I do?
There is not an option to buy handicap accessible seating on the web site. This is to prevent able-bodied persons from purchasing these tickets. If you need wheelchair accessible seating, please purchase tickets like anyone else online. When you arrive, go to the side of the building that your ticket says (North or South). When you come into Dorton, you and one guest will be moved to a wheelchair accessible area. There are four wheelchair accessible sections and each section holds 20 people. If the section does not fill up by the time the concert starts, a person may have two more people from his/her party join them in that section. If these four areas fill up, people will be taken around to the west side of Dorton and brought in on the floor. Handicap parking is at Gate 10 on Trinity Road.
Do I need tickets for my children?
Toddlers, ages 2 and under, who will sit in your lap throughout the concert will not need a seat. All other children need tickets.
Can we get tickets through Ticketmaster?
No. The N.C. State Fair only sells tickets through the State Fair Web site as administered through Etix and at the Dorton Arena box office during the Fair.
When do concert tickets go on sale?
Concert tickets will go on sale Friday, Aug. 1, at 8 a.m. Online sales will continue until the show is sold out or the show is over. You will print your own ticket, which will have a barcode that will be scanned when you enter Dorton Arena.
Will I have a reserved seat or are tickets general admission? Can I choose where I want to sit?
Tickets will have a designated assigned seat, but the ticket ordering system will not allow you to choose your seats. Seating will be distributed in a first-come, first-served manner, with the best seats being distributed first. You will see your seating assignment when you make your ticket order. Click here to view the seating chart
I ordered my tickets when they first went on sale. Why are better seats available now?
Anytime a user goes into the system to purchase ticket the seats are held in reserve for a limited amount of time to allow time for the person to purchase them. If the tickets are not purchased, they are put back into circulation. This often happens on the first day when there are a large number of users trying to get concert tickets or just browsing to see what is available. Also, if a credit card is later rejected, those seats will be put back into circulation and will be available again.
What types of credit cards are accepted?
MasterCard and Visa are the only cards accepted.
How long will it take to get my tickets?
It is instant because you print your own ticket.
Why is there a convenience fee?
Etix charges a minimal fee for processing your order. (Fee ranges from 5% to 15% depending on the type of ticket that is purchased)

eTix

If you need to contact eTix support, please call 919-653-0444 ext. 4 or e-mail support@etix.com

FAQs from the eTix Web site (click here for more FAQS)

Questions about ORDERING TICKETS

The screen says I did not complete the transaction in time. Why?
You have 15 minutes to complete your transaction. If you get an error message and you feel it has been less than 15 minutes, you may need to be sure that "cookies" are enabled on your browser.
If you are using AOL, please refer to the AOL Help section for how to enable cookies. For Mozilla Firefox find the Help section: Managing Cookies and follow the instructions.
For Internet Explorer: Click on "Tools"; select "Internet Options"; click on the "Privacy" tab; click "Advanced"; check "Override automatic cookie handling"; then check "Always allow session cookies"; and then click OK twice to escape.
The “processing” screen has been processing for an unusually long time. How can I tell if my order has been completed successfully? Should I try again?
Normal processing time will vary based on your internet connection and browser. If your order has been ‘processing’ for longer than 5 minutes, do not process a new order! You should not process a new order until you have confirmed whether or not your first attempt was successful. If you complete multiple purchases in error, we will be unable to refund additional attempts.
Please close all browsers; reconnect; check your email account including spam or junk mail folders. If there is no confirmation email (and you are sure that you entered your email address correctly) then disable pop-up blockers and try again directly at WWW.ETIX.COM.
I don't have a credit card. Can I still use your site?
We're sorry, the type of credit card accepted for payment may vary by event, but tickets must be purchased with a major credit or debit card.
I don't have a printer. Can I still use your site?
Yes. Many clients offer delivery methods other than Print at Home. However, if Print at Home is the only option you can still order tickets online and forward the purchase confirmation email that you will receive to anyone with a computer and working printer, and they will be able to print your tickets.
I purchased a ticket earlier, but now I see there are better seats open. What happened to "Best Available"?
When a customer begins the purchase process their seats are pulled out of the available inventory until they purchase them or decide not to continue. If someone has held seats before you began your transaction, but later decides not to buy them, they are released back for sale. This is a common occurrence especially during the on-sale of a popular event. Unfortunately, eTix is not authorized to refund or exchange the tickets you purchased under these circumstances.
The website says that tickets are “Sold Out.” What does that mean?
When tickets are sold out, there are no tickets remaining for the event through eTix. [See previous question]
The event just went on sale, why are there no tickets available?
Just like you, thousands of other customers may be trying to purchase tickets. During a very popular on sale, it is possible to receive a message that says seats are currently unavailable. If a customer begins the purchase process and decides not to continue their seats are released back for sale. You should try refreshing your browser or try again later.

Questions about PRINTING TICKETS (click here for more FAQS)

I ordered tickets but did not receive a confirmation email. What do I do?
Confirmation emails are sent immediately upon completion of the transaction. If you have spam blocking or require senders to seek approval, you may not receive it. If you do not appear to receive it, please check the spam or junk mail folders for your email account. The confirmation email sender is ‘thankyou@etix.com’. If you still cannot find the email, you may have entered your email address incorrectly. please click here to email our support group for assistance and be sure to include your order (confirmation) number for faster assistance. On receipt of your request, eTix will check the accuracy of your email address and will re-send it to you so please be sure to disable any spam blockers and please add "thankyou@etix.com" to your address book to ensure it gets delivered.
What kind of printer, paper and ink do I use to print my tickets?
Any inkjet or laser printer using 8.5" x 11" paper will be fine. Tickets can be printed in color or black and white as you prefer.
My tickets are not printing one to a page, what should I do?
Please check your printer margins.
Using Internet Explorer your margins should be set to .75” on all sides. Text size should be set to ‘Medium’
Using Mozilla Firefox your margins should be set to 1.1” on all sides. Text size should be set to ‘Normal’
Regardless of how your tickets print, as long as the bar codes and\or serial numbers print clearly your tickets will be accepted.
My tickets are not printing the images. What should I do?
If you can see the images on screen but they do not print to the page this is a printer issue. Please consult your user manual. If the images do not print on the same page as the event information, this is a margin issue please review the margin setting instructions above. If the images do not appear on screen this is usually the result of your individual browser settings; please check settings regarding pictures or images. Regardless of how your tickets print, as long as the bar codes and\or serial numbers print clearly your tickets will be accepted.
How do I reprint my Print at Home ticket?
Instructions for reprinting your ticket are contained in the confirmation email sent at the conclusion of your sale. In that email you will find a link that will bring you to etix.com and the user name and password that are required to print the ticket. If you already know your user name and password you can click on the reprint tickets link on the etix.com home page now.

Questions about MY EXISTING ORDER (click here for more FAQS)

I ordered tickets but did not receive a confirmation email. What do I do?
Confirmation emails are sent immediately upon completion of the transaction. If you have spam blocking or require senders to seek approval, you may not receive it. If you do not appear to receive it, please check the spam or junk mail folders for your email account. The confirmation email sender is ‘thankyou@etix.com’. If you still cannot find the email, you may have entered your email address incorrectly. please click here to email our support group for assistance and be sure to include your order (confirmation) number for faster assistance. On receipt of your request, eTix will check the accuracy of your email address and will re-send it to you so please be sure to disable any spam blockers and please add "thankyou@etix.com" to your address book to ensure it gets delivered.
The “processing” screen has been processing for an unusually long time. How can I tell if my order has been completed successfully? Should I try again?
Normal processing time will vary based on your internet connection and browser. If your order has been ‘processing’ for longer than 5 minutes, do not process a new order! You should not process a new order until you have confirmed whether or not your first attempt was successful. If you complete multiple purchases in error, we will be unable to refund additional attempts.
Please close all browsers; reconnect; check your email account including spam or junk mail folders. If there is no confirmation email (and you are sure that you entered your email address correctly) then disable pop-up blockers and try again directly at WWW.ETIX.COM.
I chose Mail Delivery, yet my tickets haven't arrived. Where are they?
eTix mails most ticket orders within a few days of your purchase. In the event that you do not receive your tickets within 48 hours of the event, please click here to email our support group for assistance. Tickets shipped by eTix will arrive in a plain white envelope with a Morrisville, NC return address.
Some venues mail their own tickets, and may have a different delivery time frame. If the delivery method listed was "Regular Mail - Internal Use", these tickets are being sent by the venue, so please contact them regarding your ticket delivery.
If you ordered tickets through eTix as part of a fan club offer, those are usually mailed out 14 days prior to the event and you should receive those no later than two days prior to the event. Should you not receive your tickets within 48 hours of the event, please click here to email our support group for assistance.

(click here for more eTix FAQS)

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