2012 N.C. State Fair - Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

•	What are the dates of the N.C. State Fair? The 2012 N.C. State Fair runs Thursday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 21.

•	What is the physical address of the State Fairgrounds? 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 See map: Google

•	What are the hours? Fairgrounds Gates Open 8 a.m. - midnight (weather permitting) Except Oct. 11, when gates open at 3 p.m. Fairgoer must have advance ticket, or purchase admission ticket prior to 9:45 p.m., in order to enter gates between 10 p.m. and closing. Admission Ticket Booths Open 8 a.m. - 9:45 p.m. Except Oct. 11 when admission ticket booths open at 3 p.m. Fairgoer must have advance ticket, or purchase admission ticket prior to 10 p.m., in order to enter gates between 10 p.m. and closing. Midway Ride Ticket Booths (Located inside the fairgrounds) pen 9:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Except Oct. 11 when midway ride ticket booths open at 3 p.m. Midway Rides 10 a.m. - midnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (weather permitting) 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Sundays, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Except Oct. 11 when midway rides open at 3:30 p.m. Exhibit Halls 9 a.m. - 9:45 p.m. Except Oct. 11 when exhibit halls open at 4 p.m.

•	Can I bring food, drinks or bags with me? Yes, you can bring food and drinks with you in small bags. Just be aware that all baggage is subject to being searched at the gate for weapons, glass bottles, alcohol, drugs and other prohibited materials.

•	Can I exit the gates and re-enter the Fair on the same day? Yes, as long as you get your hand stamped before exiting the gates, you can re-enter on the same day.

•	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. For more nearby businesses and hotels, visit the Nearby Businesses page, or please visit the Raleigh Convention and Visitor's Bureau Web site to search for more lodging options: www.visitraleigh.com/visitors/hotels/

•	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 a pet to endure. We do welcome leashed service animals, which are trained to handle these experiences.

•	Is there a military discount? Yes, anyone with a valid military or veteran ID, including dependents, can purchase discount tickets at the gate. Daily Military Admission Policy: Military adults (ages 13-64): $5 at the gate These tickets are not available in advance or online, just show a military or veteran ID at the ticket window to receive the discount. All military personnel, including active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired and veterans are invited to take advantage of a discounted admission price every day of the Fair. This is a savings of $3 off the gate admission price, and $1 off the advance sale price! Military Appreciation Day is Wednesday, Oct. 17. The day will feature a military care package drop off location, special exhibits and performances by military bands.

•	When is Senior Citizen's Day? Senior Citizens Day is Tuesday, Oct. 16. The Senior Citizen Fun Fest will be held in Dorton Arena at 9 a.m.

•	When is Food Lion Hunger Relief Day? Food Lion Hunger Relief Day (Can Day) is on Thursday, October 18. Exchange four cans of food (any brand) for one free admission ticket. The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC reports that 247,569 pounds of food was collected at the 2011 Food Lion Hunger relief Day, which will be distributed to those in need through the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. In 17 years, more than 2 million pounds have food have been collected at the State Fair.

•	Where is Lost & Found? All lost and found articles can be turned in or claimed at the Public Address booth located in the lobby of the Exposition Center. After the Fair, items will be held in the Administration Office until Dec. 15, when they will be donated to a local organization.

•	Do you close the rides or gates when there is bad weather? The Fair will remain open as long as possible; we only close the gates as a last resort. At times, it may become necessary to temporarily close some rides if conditions are deemed unsafe to operate, but we will reopen rides as soon as possible.

•	Where can I get a flu shot? Kerr Drug will offer flu shots for $30 to people 18 years of age or older. You will need to bring your insurance card and primary care physicians’ information. Flu shots will be offered daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on a walk-in basis in the location near the Waterfall and Village of Yesteryear. No appointment necessary.

•	How long has the N.C. State Fair taken place? This is the 145th fair in 159 years. The fair did not take place for a few years for a variety of reasons. Visit the old school house in Heritage Circle to learn the history of the N.C. State Fair. Or visit the History page of the website.

•	Do you have lockers or a storage area for bags? No, we do not offer any kind of storage or locker system.

•	What foods are available at the Fair this year? The State Fair has hundreds or food varieties, including traditional corn dogs, candy apples and funnel cakes, and we strive to select vendors who offer something new each year. Visit the Food Finder page to see a list of the new and traditional foods, and also search for the location of food vendors at the Fair. (Updated soon)

Gate and Ride Tickets

How much is admission to the N.C. State Fair?
Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $3 for children and free for seniors 65 and over, and children under 5. Adult tickets are only $5 with a valid military ID.
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.
Can I exit the gates and re-enter the Fair on the same day?
As long as you get your hand stamped before exiting the gates, you can re-enter on the same day.
Will there be special discount days?
Yes. Food Lion Hunger Relief Day at the Fair will be held Thursday, Oct. 18. 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.

Thursday, Oct. 11 is Preview Day, when the gate admission price is the same as the advance sales price. On Oct. 11 only: Adults are $6, Children age 6-12 are $2. Seniors age 65+ and kids younger than 5 are always free, and the daily Military Adult admission price is $5. The Preview Day Ride Wristband will be $25 and good for unlimited rides between 3:30 p.m. and midnight (weather permitting) on Thursday, Oct. 11 only. The wristbands can only be purchased from ticket booths on the Midway on Preview Day. The wristband will not be good any other day of the Fair.
What is the Early Bird Ticket Special?
>>THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED FOR 2012<<
The Early Bird Special is for on online advance tickets from August 1 through September 27 only. With the Early Bird Special, you can earn up to three free adult admission tickets based on the total purchase amount before convenience fees. Spending between $40 and $100 earns you one free adult admission ticket. $100.01 to $200 earns you two free adult admission tickets. Spend $200.01 and over and you’ll get three free tickets. Admission, ride, grandstand and Dorton Arena concert tickets apply toward the purchase total, however, service fees do not. The Early Bird Special last until September 27, and is good for online sales only.
Multiple orders cannot be combined to reach desired spending levels, so be sure to include all of your ticket purchases into one order to qualify for the Early Bird Special. See the Early Bird Special page for more information.
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?
There will be a Preview Day Ride Wristband offered on Preview Day, Thursday, Oct. 11. The Preview Day Ride Wristband will be $25 and good for unlimited rides between 3:30 p.m. and midnight (weather permitting) on Thursday, Oct. 11 only. The wristbands can only be purchased from ticket booths on the Midway on Preview Day, and cannot be purchased in advance.

The wristband will not be good any other day of the Fair.
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 four tickets each. Bigger rides are three to five tickets each and large, spectacular rides are up to six tickets each. Visit the Rides section of the website to see a list of rides, locations and ticket prices.
I purchased my ride tickets in advance, online. Where do I get the actual tickets?

You will need to redeem the sheet for the actual ride tickets at the large "Ride Ticket Redemption Tent" located directly in front of Dorton Arena, near the waterfall, or at the location in Kiddieland. The ride ticket redemption booths will be open during fair hours.

Look for the bright green tent:
Can I use ride tickets to play games on the Midway?
No, ride tickets cannot be used for the games. You do not need tickets for the games, just cash. Most games take at least $1 to play. We have ATM machines on site.
Can I use ride tickets to play games on the Midway?
No, ride tickets cannot be used for the games. You do not need tickets for the games, just cash. Most games take at least $1 to play. We have ATM machines on site.
What is the minimum height requirement for children's rides?
Minimum height requirements for children’s rides are 36 inches tall. The Kiddieland Midway area consists of about 25 rides, in addition to about 4 games suitable for young children. Most children's rides cost between 2 and 4 tickets. The games do not accept ride tickets, and are cash only.
Can a parent accompany a young child on a ride?
Children under 40" tall can ride for free, when accompanied by a paying adult 16 years of age or older on Merrie Go Rounds and slides. The adult must accept guardian responsibility and use good judgment when choosing which of the available rides to allow a young child to ride. The accompanying adult must pay using tickets or wristbands. This list of rides is available on the Rides section of the website.
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: Google

•	Will buses provide transportation to the Fair? The best option for getting to the fair is to park in a Park & Ride lot and ride the bus. See the Bus & Train information for where these lots are located. Park & Ride buses drop off patrons just outside the Fairgrounds gates, eliminating the hassle of finding a parking spot. Convenient Park & Ride lots are available in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill and RTP.

•	Can I take the train to the Fair? Yes. For more information, go to www.bytrain.org or see the Get to the Fair page .

Persons with Disabilities

•	Can a person with disabilities attend the Fair? Yes, all buildings at the Fairgrounds have been modified to standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. See the Accessibility page for more information.

•	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 valid handicap permit, placard or license plate. This parking area is accessed from Trinity Road. See the Accessibility page for more information.

•	Are wheelchairs and scooters available for rent on the Fairgrounds? Yes, there are wheelchair and electric scooter vendors set up near Gates 1, 8, 9 and 10. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are first come, first serve and the vendor will take a deposit of collateral such as cash, a driver's license or car keys. Mobility Concepts LLC will take reservations on their website. See the Accessibility page for more information.

•	Can I rent wheelchairs and scooters in advance ? Yes, the vendor at Gates 1 & 10 is accepting reservations: www.mobilityconceptsllc.com/

•	Can I bring my Seeing Eye Dog? Yes. Trained and leashed 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 and safety reasons.

•	I need handicap-accessible concert seating. What do I do? You do not need to purchase a special ticket to attend a Dorton Arena concert, as there is no 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 a regular ticket online. When you arrive, go to the side of the building that your ticket says (North or South). When you enter 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 moved to the floor of Dorton Arena. 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? Click here for more information about employment opportunities.

•	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 N.C. 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. Click here for more vendor information.

•	How can I be an entertainer at the State Fair? The entertainment for the 2012 State Fair has been finalized. To be considered for 2012, please send promotional materials in December to: N.C. State Fair ATTN: Entertainment Coordinator 1010 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-1010

Kids at the Fair

•	What is the minimum height requirement for children's rides? Minimum height requirements for children’s rides are 36 inches tall. The Kiddieland Midway area consists of about 25 rides, in addition to about 4 games suitable for young children. Most children's rides cost between 2 and 4 tickets. The games do not accept ride tickets, and are cash only.

•	Can a parent accompany a young child on a ride? Children under 40" tall can ride for free, when accompanied by a paying adult 16 years of age or older on selected rides. The adult must accept guardian responsibility and use good judgment when choosing which of the available rides to allow a young child to ride. The accompanying adult must pay using tickets or wristbands. This list of rides will be available on the Rides section of the website as soon as possible.

•	Are there special admission days or discounts for school or youth groups? The State Fair can be a busy place on the weekends, so youth and school groups are encouraged, but NOT required, to attend the fair on Monday, Oct. 15, Youth Day. Groups of 40 or more people qualify for the Group Discount of $5 per ticket. See the Group Discounts page for more information.

•	Are there strollers for rent? Yes, there are stroller and child’s wagon vendors set up at Gates 1, 8, 9 and 10. All strollers and wagons are first-come, first-serve. Mobility Concepts LLC at Gates 1 and 10 is accepting reservations on their website. Fun-Rider Rentals is at Gates 8 and 9. The vendor will take a deposit of collateral such as cash, a driver's license or car keys. See the Accessibility page for more information.

•	Can I bring snacks with me? Yes, you can bring food and drinks with you. Just be aware that all baggage is subject to being searched at the gate for weapons, glass bottles, alcohol, drugs and other prohibited materials.

•	Can I bring a diaper bag or backpack with me? Yes, parents can bring their own diaper and lunch bags, wagons, strollers, umbrellas and other personal items to the fair, just be aware that all baggage is subject to being searched at the gate for weapons, glass bottles, alcohol, drugs and other prohibited materials.

•	Do you have changing rooms or family restrooms? Yes, changing tables are available in most restrooms, and family restrooms are available in the Martin and Expo buildings. There are "mothers'" rooms in the Scott, Martin, Expo and Graham buildings.

•	Do you have an area for nursing mothers? Yes, there are "mothers' rooms" in the Scott, Martin, Expo and Graham buildings.

Competitions - General Exhibits

Who is eligible to enter competitive exhibits at the NC State Fair?
General exhibit competitions at the NC State Fair are open to North Carolina residents (except where noted). Age restrictions are listed for certain competitions, such as Home Furnishings, so check the rules and regulations of each department for more information before entering.

How do I enter competitions at the Fair?
Consult the online or book form of the 2012 NC State Fair General Entries Premium Book for complete information on individual entry deadlines and requirements for each department at the Fair.

The majority of competitions require pre-registration, with the exception of the following competitions: Kids Kookie Dekorating Kontest, Apprenticeship Contests, and the Horseshoe Pitching Contest.
Most competitions allow for online entry at www.ncstatefair.org; however, some require that a form be mailed to the NC State Fair. Please choose one method of entering in competitions at the Fair. Do not submit the same entries online and by mail. This will result in duplicate entries that will delay and misdirect the processing of your entry.
When completing the registration information, please list your full legal name and refrain from abbreviations or listing a nickname. If you enter competitions in the Fair every year, please make sure to use your full legal name every time you register. This assures that any premiums you win will be properly linked to your name.

Is there a size limit for entries entered in the Fair?
Certain departments have size limitations for entries, such as Arts & Photography, Home Furnishings, and Handicrafts & Hobbies. Consult the General Entries edition of the premium book for more information under individual departments. Entries that exceed size limitations in certain categories will be disqualified.

Is there a fee for entering competitions at the Fair?
Certain departments require fees and this is listed at the beginning of each department listing in each edition of the premium book, both the General Entries edition and the Livestock Entries edition. Online entries that require fees must be paid by credit card during the online entry process. If entry forms are mailed to the Fair, please include a check or money order made out to the NC State Fair.

Can I choose not to provide my social security number on entry forms?
Social Security and Federal tax ID numbers are not required for entering competitions, but are required if the exhibitor wishes to receive premiums for placings they win at the Fair. Failure to provide Social Security or Federal Tax ID numbers at the time of registration will result in the exhibitor forfeiting any premiums won.

Please note: The Social Security and Federal ID Fields are mandatory when registering online. One of the two fields must be completed in order to submit your entry. Federal Tax ID numbers cannot be used for individuals and Social Security numbers cannot be used for farms or businesses. If zeros are entered in the Social Security or Federal Tax ID number field online, or if the Social Security or Federal Tax ID number is omitted from an entry form that is mailed, then this will be interpreted as forfeiture of any premiums won. Ribbons will be awarded whether or not this information is given.
Parents: Do not list your social security number on behalf of your children. Social Security numbers given must match the name of the entrant on the entry forms. IRS guidelines require the N.C. State Fair to submit Social Security and Federal Tax ID information to them on every premium that is paid by the Fair, no matter the amount or age of the entrant.

How will I know that my entry form has been received by the Fair?
If you entered online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the Blue Ribbon Online Registration Site. Make sure that your confirmation e-mail does not say “pending” at the top of the e-mail. If it does, then your registration is incomplete and you need to sign-in and submit the information. If you enter online, you do not need to mail an entry form to the Entry Department. If you mailed your entry form to the Fair, then please allow a few days for processing before you call to check on the status of your entry. The Entry Department can be reached at (919)839-4521.

If I miss the entry deadline(s), can I submit a late entry?
No. Once the entry deadline has closed for a particular department, no further entries will be accepted. This allows for adequate time to process the entries we receive and respects the fellow entrants who followed the rules and regulations requested by the Fair.

Can I display exhibits at the Fair without entering them in competitions?
No. Due to space considerations and liability issues, the Fair cannot accept exhibits for display that are outside of competition entries.

When will my entry or entries be judged and the results be available?
Each department has a different judging schedule. Please consult each departmental listing in the premium book for more information. Judging is closed to the public. At the conclusion of the judging, the results are taken back to the Entry Department for processing. The quickest way to know if you win would be to come to the Fair when it opens and check with a hostess for this information. Please do not call the Entry Department for this information during the judging process. This information has to be entered in the Blue Ribbon computer program before it can be released to the public, and this can take several days for completion. Check the website after the first weekend of the fair. Winners will be posted there.

When do I bring and pick up my exhibit(s)?
Look under each department heading in the premium book for a list of dates when exhibits can be brought to the Fair and picked up. Please note that all entries remain on display throughout the entire run of the Fair and are not released for any reason until the day after the Fair closes.

When will I receive a check for the premiums I win at the Fair?
The processing of information can take several weeks after the Fair closes. Premium checks will be mailed to all exhibitors no later than 60 days after the Fair. Errors in premium statements will be corrected until January 31, 2013, after which time the books of the 2012 Fair will be closed.

Competitions - Livestock

Who is eligible to enter competitive exhibits at the NC State Fair?
Livestock shows that are OPEN TO THE WORLD are Dairy Cattle (001), Beef Cattle, (004), Market Barrow (009), Market Gilt (010), Commercial Gilt (011), Meat Breeds Sheep (015), Dairy Goats (018), Pygmy Goats (020), Wool Breeds Sheep (021) Meat Goats Show 1(023), and Meat Goats Show 2 (024). The rest of the livestock shows are open to North Carolina only.

How do I enter competitions at the Fair?
Consult the online or book form of the 2012 NC State Fair Livestock Entries Premium Book for complete information. Entry deadline for all livestock shows is September 15, 2012. Go to www.ncstatefair.org for online entry or you can mail a paper form found in the back of the Livestock Premium Book. Instructions on how to fill out the paper form is on page 23 of the Livestock Premium Book.

Is there a fee for entering livestock competitions at the Fair?
Entry Fees are required for all entries in the senior and open classes of the Livestock Division. Entries exclusively in the junior livestock shows are not subject to fees. Fees are explained fully on page 23 of the Livestock Premium Book.

Can I choose not to provide my social security number on entry forms?
A valid Social Security or Federal Tax ID number is required if the exhibitor wishes to receive premiums for placings they win at the Fair. Failure to provide Social Security or Federal Tax ID numbers at the time of registration will result in the exhibitor forfeiting any premiums won.

Please note: The Social Security and Federal Tax ID Fields are mandatory when registering online. One of the two fields must be completed in order to submit your entry.
Parents: Do not list your social security number on behalf of your children. Social Security and Federal Tax ID numbers given must match the name of the entrant on the entry forms. Federal ID numbers cannot be used for individuals and Social Security numbers cannot be used for farms. IRS guidelines require the NC State Fair to submit social security information to them on every premium that is paid by the Fair, no matter the amount or age of the entrant.

If zeros are entered in the social security or federal tax ID number field online, or if the social security or federal tax ID number of an entrant is omitted from an entry form that is mailed, then this will be interpreted as forfeiture of any premiums won. Ribbons will be awarded whether or not this information is given.

How will I know that my entry form has been received by the Fair?
If you entered online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the Blue Ribbon Online Registration Site. Make sure that your confirmation e-mail does not say “pending” at the top of the e-mail. If it does, then your registration is incomplete and you need to sign-in and submit the information. If you enter online, you do not need to mail an entry form to the Entry Department.

If I miss the entry deadline(s), can I submit a late entry?
No. Once the entry deadline has closed for a particular department, no further entries will be accepted. This allows for adequate time to process the entries we receive and respects the fellow entrants who followed the rules and regulations requested by the Fair.

What are the health regulations for animals entered into a Livestock Show?
All health regulations are explained on page 24 of the Livestock Premium Book.

Can I leave with my animal after the show?
There is a release time for each show. Premiums will be forfeited if animals are removed from stall space before the release time unless approved by the show superintendent.