Facility Rentals
Why choose the State Fairgrounds?
We can accommodate any size show, conference
or exhibit. The North Carolina State Fairgrounds
consists of 344 acres of land and more than 398,000 total
square feet of building space. Our buildings accommodate party
sizes from fewer than 100 to over 10,000. (Compare
buildings at a glance.) Because of the roomy facilities,
great location, excellent parking and award winning landscape,
the fairgrounds is a popular rental spot.
Easy access from all major highways.
The N.C. State Fairgrounds is easily accessible from
the I-440 Beltline, Interstate 40, as well as from Blue Ridge
Road, N.C. Highway 54 (Hillsborough Street) and now Edwards
Mill Road (see directions below). Free parking is available
on State Fair and Carter-Finley Football Stadium property
for events scheduled at the Fairgrounds, except for recreational
vehicles that park between the hours of midnight and 8:00
a.m.
Our prices are reasonable. In addition to
ample parking and a great location, building rental prices
at the fairgrounds are reasonably priced. At the N.C. State
Fairgrounds you can have a meeting, conference or exhibit
that is easily accessible without having to spend most of
your budget on the building rental. For rental prices, please
click on individual building links located at the top of
this page.
RV hook-up access available (except during State
Fair). Recreational vehicle hook-up access for
visits of 14 days or less. Water, sewer and electrical
access is available on more than 350 sites (electricity
access ranges from 30 –50 amps). Rental cost for
a 24 hour period is $25 per unit. Primary access is through
Gate 11 from Blue Ridge Road. Individual units should check-in
with Fairgrounds Public Safety at mobile 919-612-6767.
Clubs and groups should contact the Fairgrounds at 919-821-7400
prior to arrival to reserve space. Visit our Calendar of
Events at /events/calendar.htm for
a listing of other activities scheduled at the Fairgrounds.
Information for disabled visitors.
Parking
•Spaces marked for handicap permits
are conveniently located adjacent to each facility.
•Cars occupying spaces designated for disabled visitors
must display valid handicap permits, stickers or plates at
all times.
• Buses and vehicles may unload/load disabled passengers near
the building entrance, but must move to allocated parking.
The vehicle may only park in a handicap space if the
vehicle displays a valid handicap permit and if space
is available. The driver of the vehicle should inform a traffic
patrol officer of the intention to simply drop off disabled
passengers. Larger events may have allocated bus parking -
check with the event prior to your arrival to expedite access. Calendar
of Events
Getting around the Fairgrounds
• All buildings
at the Fairgrounds have been modified to standards set by
the American
with Disabilities Act
and are in compliance with ADA standards.
• Handicap accessible restrooms are located throughout the
Fairgrounds.
• Disabled persons do not need to purchase a special ticket
to attend a Dorton Arena concert. If you need wheelchair
accessible seating, please purchase a regular ticket.
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, access
on the main floor will be made available by transport to
the west side of Dorton and brought in on the floor. Handicap
parking
is
located around the perimater of the building. All
of our buildings are ADA compliant
Frequently asked questions
• Can I rent a wheelchair, scooter, stroller or
child's wagon in advance?
No. Fairgrounds facilities are leased to year-round events which design their
individual event site plan. Some larger events may offer wheelchairs as a customer
service. Persons requiring a wheelchair for mobility may bring their own equipment
or contact the event number posted on the Calendar
of Events for information on any special equipment accommodations available
at the event. Also check Raleigh Flea
Market for related info.
• Can I bring my Seeing Eye Dog?
Yes. Trained service animals are welcome at the Fairgrounds.
• Can I bring my own golf cart?
No, we do not allow personal golf carts on the grounds due to liability and safety
reasons.
• Can I bring my own wheelchair, scooter, stroller or child's wagon?
Yes, you can bring your own wheelchair, scooter, stroller, child's wagon, diaper
and lunch bags (unless prohibited by the event Calendar
of Events), umbrellas and other personal items to the fairgrounds, just be
aware that all baggage is subject to search at the entrance for weapons, glass
bottles, alcohol, drugs and other prohibited materials.
Information for parents
• Unless probitied by the scheduled event Calendar
of Events, parents
can bring their own diaper and lunch bags, wagons, strollers,
umbrellas
and other personal items to the Fairgrounds, just be aware that all baggage
is subject to being searched at the entrance for weapons, glass bottles, alcohol,
drugs and
other prohibited materials.
•
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.
• If adults plan to take a child to a concert, be aware that everyone age
two and older, or any child who will need to occupy a seat, will need a ticket.
The fairgrounds is already home to hundreds
of events each year. Each weekend, except during
the month of October due to the State Fair, the
buildings are transformed into different events that appeal
to different members of the same family. On a typical weekend
the event may be a dog show, trade show or auction in the
Graham Building; a coin/stamp show, train show, or social
event in the Holshouser Building; Dorton Arena may host a
trade show, concert, conference or sporting event; and a
sportscard
show, equipment expo or festival could take place in the
Kerr Scott Building. The Exposition Center is home to
several trade shows, banquets and special events. A broad
range of
horse disciplines are hosted each week at the Hunt Horse
Complex. Several unique venues on the grounds host company
outings,
festivals, family reunions and special outdoor events. All
events have ample parking available. In addition to these
special events, the Flea Market,
the largest in the state, is held each weekend November through
September. A calendar
of events is posted on our Web site.
Facility Rental Director
Claudine Davis (e-mail)
( 919) 821-7400 ext. 4501
Facilities at-a-glance
Jim Graham Building
The Jim Graham Building is the largest of the fairgrounds
buildings. During the year it hosts a variety of livestock
shows, home and garden shows, sales showcases, farm shows,
trade shows and other special events. Exhibit space can be
extended with the use of outdoor tents and fencing, or installation
of tent connector to adjacent facility. The climate-controlled
building has a total of 100,000 square feet - 95,000 square
foot main floor, 3,000 square foot meeting room and a 240
seat sales arena. More
info>>
Exposition Center
The Expo Center is ideal for banquets, trade shows, political
rallies and large proms with 50,000 square feet of exhibition
space. The building includes a spacious lobby, ample bathroom
facilities, loading dock and drive-through access. It is also
connected to the Jim Graham Building by a covered breezeway. More info>>
J.S. Dorton Arena
This building, which was named a National Historic Monument
for being the first building with a cable supported roof system,
is ideal for concerts, athletic events, circuses, speakers,
proms and other large special events. There are 4,750 permanent
seats, 360 box seats and 2,500 portable seats that can be
installed when a stage is used. Seating capacity when used
with a stage is 7,610. Total square footage is 25,000 square
feet. More info>>
Governor W. Kerr Scott Building
The versatile Kerr Scott Building serves as a popular venue
for trade shows, banquets, proms, political rallies and other
events. The building seats 2,000 in front of a portable stage
or 1,500 in a banquet setting. The building has 19,500 square
feet of exhibition space and 3,128 square feet of meeting
space in an upstairs area that overlooks the show floor. More
info>>
Governor James E. Holshouser Building
The circular Holshouser Building allows for a unique venue
for many events, including festivals, train shows, conventions,
meetings, social events, small trade shows, and other events.
The 13,600 square-foot building holds 900 people banquet style
or 1,200 people in a conference arrangement. More
info>>
Governor James G. Martin Building
The Gov. James G. Martin Building Agriculture Department
Auxiliary (ADA) Room is perfect for hosting small business
meetings, training, social events, small trade shows, and
many other types of events. The ADA Room seats 150 people
in a banquet set-up or 200 for a conference arrangement.
The 2,489 square-foot room also has a small kitchen area
that
includes a refrigerator and sink. Attached to the building
is a 2,277 square foot covered porch that can be used in
a myriad
of
ways. The building also includes large bathroom facilities.
More
info>>
Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Horse Complex
The nationally acclaimed Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Horse
Complex is one of the best in the country. The Hunt Horse
Complex sits on 30 fenced acres of the 344-acre fairgrounds.
The cafeteria dining room in the horse complex seats 200 people
and it may be reserved on a rental basis when not being used
for activities within the main arena. There is an extensive
menu for breakfasts, luncheons, and dinners. The main show
arena is 81,000 square feet with a 138' x 248' show ring and
4,748 permanent seats. There are two warm-up areas, one covered,
that are 120' x 240'. More
info>>
Sam G. Rand Grandstand
The Sam Rand Grandstand is ideal for concerts and outdoor
competitive events such as tractor pulls and demolition derbies.
The grandstand has 2,800 covered seats and 1,200 uncovered
bleacher seats and restroom facilities. More
info>>
LR Harrill Center
The LR Harrill Center is ideal for smaller company meetings,
family reunions, civic groups and youth activities. The center
has air conditioned dining hall and dorm rooms. The maximum
capacity in the dining hall is 225 persons, but outdoor picnic
tables are available to seat an additional 150 people. Two
dormitories are available. The men's dorm has 30 bunks and
the women's dorm has 32 bunks. More
info>>
Pitzer Heritage Circle
This outdoor area located near the Fairgrounds lake features
numerous buildings (including a church, school and blacksmith
shop) depicting the cultural history of North Carolina. It
is ideal for company outings, social events, festivals or
combined with the nearby Holshouser Building to create a larger
venue. More info>>
Grounds
Many open areas within the Fairgrounds have been the site
of various events such as a circus, trade show ride and drive,
festivals, small dealer shows, or as outdoor display areas
associated with an enclosed event. More
info>>
RV Access
The Fairgrounds offers recreational vehicle hook-up access
for visits of 14 days or less with water, sewer and electrical
access available on more than 350 sites (electricity access
ranges from 30 - 50 amps). Individual units should check in
with Fairgrounds Public Safety at 919-612-6767. Clubs and
groups should contact the Fairgrounds at 919-821-7400 prior
to arrival to reserve space. For
more info>>
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