Got to Be NC Festival

You Made Peach Day Great

2011-07-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you for coming to Got to be NC Peach Day at the Farmers Market. With Got to be NC the fun never ends. These are some our favorite Peach Day photos and recipes.

Ingredients

3 only slightly ripe peaches, finely chopped and peeled

3 Tbsp chopped shallots or onions

1 jalapenos, very finely chopped

1 red sweet bell pepper, finely chopped

Juice of a lemon

2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint

Salt and black pepper to taste

How to

Mix ingredients together in a mixing bowl

Cover and let stand for an hour before serving

Serve with corn chips or fish tacos

More Got to be NC Fun: Peach Day at the Raleigh Farmers Market

2011-07-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Peach Day
Thursday July 14th - 11:00am – 1:00pm

•Peach Ice Cream
•Peach Dessert Contest
•Appearance by the NC Peach Queen
•Free Recipes & Information

Sponsored by NC Peach Growers Society, NCSU, Howling Cow Ice Cream, State Farmers Market, NCDA & CS

The State Farmers Market is conveniently located on I-40 and Lake Wheeler Road, exit 297. Please call the Market for updates 919-733-7417
or contact
Monica Wood, marketing specialist: monica.wood@ncagr.gov
State Farmers Market

State Farmers Market hosts Peach Day and Dessert Contest

Thursday, July 14
RALEIGH — Children, bakers and any dessert makers can enter their favorite recipes into the peach dessert contest planned during Peach Day at the State Farmers Market Thursday, July 14.
The annual celebration, held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., also features free samples of the summer fruit and Howling Cow’s peach ice cream. In addition, there will be an appearance by the N.C. Peach Queen Katie Parsons, as well as free peach recipes and nutritional information.

The dessert contest includes $175 in total prize money and is divided into two categories, one for adults and one for children under 13. The first-place winner of the adult category will be featured in Our State magazine’s Peach Recipe Collection. Desserts can be dropped off at the State Farmers Market office between 8 and 10 a.m., with judging beginning at 10 a.m. Dishes will be judged on taste, appearance, quality and creative use of peaches. After judging, winners will be announced at the Peach Day exhibit in the Farmers Building.

All entries must be in throwaway containers and include the complete recipe with cooking instructions, along with the contestant’s name, address and telephone number. Each recipe must include at least two cups of N.C. peaches, and peaches must be one of the main ingredients.
North Carolina’s peach season runs from the end of May through September. In 2010, N.C. peach growers produced 5,500 tons of peaches. Shoppers can find local peaches at farmers markets, roadside stands and grocery stores across the state.

Peach Day is sponsored by the N.C. Peach Growers Society, Howling Cow Ice Cream, the State Farmers Market and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For complete dessert-contest rules and more information about N.C. peaches, go to http://www.ncpeach.com/.

Wake Up with the Deep Fried Crew: Festival edition

2011-05-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

Flying Bob and Firecracker give a rundown of the remaining activities at the Got to Be NC Festival this weekend at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Saturday's activities includes the Masonic Carolina Pig Jig, a bluegrass band competition, the Carolina Rollergirls Roller Derby, Harley-Davidson motorcycle ride-in and tractor pull.

Sunday, be sure to come out for the FIRST robotics competition and border collie sheepherding demonstrations. You also can enjoy the best of N.C. agriculture in the food and wine expo, participate in a workshop at Carolina FiberFest, interact with animals in the Agri-Plaza and ride carnival rides all weekend.

To find more information and plan your visit, go to www.ncagfest.com.

Day one in photos

2011-05-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

The first day of the 2011 Got to Be NC Festival has been a lot of fun. Here are some photos from today's activities. There is still plenty to eat, see and do tonight at the festival, and gates will be open until midnight. Gate admission, parking and grandstand events are free, so don't forget to come out Saturday and Sunday for even more fun. You can download a complete schedule of activities at www.ncagfest.com, and keep up with festival updates on Facebook, Twitter or the Got to Be NC Festival blog.

Sun shines on Got to Be NC Festival

2011-05-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler kicked off the 2011 Got to Be NC Festival by leading the first of three antique tractor parades this morning at the Fairgrounds. A few morning showers have turned into a warm and sunny afternoon. In addition to the large selection of antique farm equipment on display, festival-goers have enjoyed the Carolina FiberFest, Food and Wine Expo and the Raleigh Flea Market.

The Sam Rand Grandstand will be full of free activities tonight beginning with the children’s stick horse races at 5 p.m., followed by a performance by Rocky the Trick Mule, plow-horse demonstrations, draft horse pull and Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show.

There’s also plenty of food to try on the fairgrounds, so bring the entire family out for supper. The Amran Shrine will be offering plates of fresh N.C. seafood all weekend, you can get Fair favorites such as gyros and corn dogs, and also try fried butter. For dessert, there’s plenty of sweet treats, including ice cream, cotton candy and deep-fried Oreos.

The fairgrounds will be open until midnight tonight, so come out after work and enjoy the best of North Carolina. You can plan your trip and find more information about the festival at www.ncagfest.com.

Commissioner Steve Troxler talks about the NC Got to be Festival

2011-05-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Click here to listen to Commissioner Steve Troxler talk about the Got to be NC Festival on the My Carolina Today Show.

Click here for a full list of things to do at the Got to be NC Festival.

Press Release - Got to Be NC Festival offers good food for a good cause

2011-05-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011

CONTACT:

Jim Knight, managerGot to Be NC Festival
(919) 707-3128

Got to Be NC Festival offers good food for a good cause

RALEIGH — The motto of the Shriners is “No man stands so tall as when he bends down to help a child.” Organizers of the 2011 Got to Be NC Festival are partnering with the Amran Shrine and N.C. Masonic lodges to offer more ways for visitors to stand tall while enjoying fresh N.C. seafood and barbecue during the event at the State Fairgrounds May 20-22.

The Amran Shriners’ Fish Fry has been extended this year to all three days of the festival. During the fish fry, visitors can purchase plates of fresh N.C. catfish, shrimp or oysters. Plates cost $7 for a choice of one seafood, $8 for a choice of two, and $9 for all three. Proceeds from the fish fry will be donated to various Shriner charities.

On Saturday, May 21, visitors can support local children’s charities while sampling a variety of barbecue pork, chicken and sauces during the annual Masonic Carolina Pig Jig. The event includes 30 teams representing Masonic lodges and barbecue styles from across the state and country. More than 2 tons of pork will be prepared during the event, as teams compete for the chance to win the Grand Champions and People’s Choice awards.

Barbecue from the competition will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. until the barbecue runs out. Tickets are $10 for adults, and free for children six and under. Each ticket includes an all-you-can-sample plate of barbecue, sides, a drink and a ballot for the People’s Choice contest. All proceeds from the cook-off will be donated to the Masonic Home for Children and Central Children’s Home, both located in Oxford. Last year, the event raised $6,000 for the two residential homes that provide a stable environment for disadvantaged and neglected children and teens.

The Got to Be NC Festival, presented by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, features more than 1,000 pieces of antique farm equipment, Got to Be NC Food and Wine Expo, Carolina FiberFest, carnival rides, live music, grandstand events and more. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to midnight May 20 and 21, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 22. Admission and parking for the festival are free.
To find detailed schedules and more information about the Got to Be NC Festival, go to www.ncagfest.com.

-pmj-1

Click here for all the fun things to do at the Got to be NC Festival

Not a Silly Band---It's the Raleigh Concert Band!!!!

2011-05-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the Raleigh Concert Band on the Community Stage in the air-conditioned Jim Graham Building on Sunday, May 22 with shows at 2 and 3:10 p.m. There will be other neat community based groups using this stage each day, so keep an eye on the daily schedule at http://www.ncagfest.com/ for more!!!

Grandstand shows FREE in 2011

2011-04-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mattress Firm, one of our sponsors, admission to ALL the grandstand shows will be free in 2011, a savings of $5 per person!!! Enjoy the Draft Horse Pull and some related entertainment on Friday evening 5/20, Tractor Pulls all day Saturday 5/21, and Border Collie Sheep Herding Demonstrations on Sunday 5/22. AND the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show will also perform in the grandstand with multiple shows daily.

Camping at the Got to be Festival!

2011-03-14T13:25:00.001-07:00

Camping at the Got to be Festival! Load up the RV and come on down. There is plenty of camping space available at an affordable rate! The fairgrounds have 350 full-service spaces with hook-ups for just $25 a night. Throw in free Wi-Fi.

Check in is easiest at Gate 9 before six o’clock pm. For late check in please call Fairgrounds Public Safety at 919-612-6767. They will probably direct you to Gate 4. If you’re traveling with a large group or club, be sure and contact the Fairgrounds before hand at 919-821-7400, Ext. 4580 for space reservations.

Many of the spaces allow campers to enjoy a campfire, so bring the marshmallows and your own wood firewood. Small fire pits on campsites are allowed provided that the flames are contained at cooking level.

Bluegrass Bands Wanted!!!

2011-03-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

If your bluegrass band is up to the challenge, we'll again be hosting the annual Got to be NC Festival Bluegrass Championship on Saturday, May 21 at 1 p.m. Cash prizes for the top three bands, and we're trying to get some additional stage time and maybe even some recording time for the winning band!!! Visit http://www.ncagfest.com/ and look for the bluegrass competition link to sign up. This link should be active by 3.7.11. Good luck and good pickin'.

The Pig Jig is back!

2011-02-28T08:47:00.000-08:00

More than 40 chapters of Masons will gather for the The 6th Annual Masonic Carolina Pig Jig BBQ Cook-off. Will last years champs Hiram #40 Masonic Lodge win the grand prize once again? Come and decide which one is your favorite. Food will be served to the public after judging Saturday morning beginning at 11:00 am. Tickets are $10 and children 6 and under eat free. Each all-you-can-eat ticket includes one free drink! All proceeds benefit the organization’s children’s homes in Oxford, NC.

LAST POST FROM 2010!!!! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

2010-05-15T16:22:00.001-07:00

If you're a foodie, the State Fairgrounds is the place to be next weekend, May 21-23. The Got to be NC Festival will feature over 110 food and wine booths sampling and selling great North Carolina foods and spirits in the Exposition Building; the Dorton Triangle outdoor concession vendors will have a great mix of food, ice cream and slushes; and the carnival vendor in the midway will feature even more great NC foods at their stands!!! Don't forget admission and parking are free, but bring a few dollars to buy some of the great food, ride a few rides and maybe even go to one of the $5 grandstand shows!!! Visit http://www.ncagfest.com/ for more!

Bring the camper, bring the family, stay the weekend!!!

2010-05-04T13:58:00.001-07:00

If you’re thinking about coming to the Got to Be NC Festival at the NC State Fairgrounds and you own a camper or RV, we’ve got some good news for you. There is plenty of camping space available at an affordable rate! The fairgrounds has 350 full-service spaces with hook-ups for water, sewer, and electric (30-50 amps) for just $25 a night. There is also free Wi-Fi.

Check in is easiest at Gate 9 before 6 pm. If you’re arriving after 6 pm, Gate 4 might be your best bet. Either way, you should call the Fairgrounds Public Safety at 919-612-6767 upon arrival. If you’re traveling with a large group or club, be sure and contact the Fairgrounds before hand at 919-821-7400, Ext. 4580 for space reservations.

Just imagine, after a long, fun-filled day at the Got to Be NC Festival, you can kick your feet up and relax without having to drive all the way home first. Then the next day, you can get a jump start on the day’s events without having to worry with traffic or travel time.

Country, Contemporary, Bluegrass or Beach???

2010-04-16T05:36:00.000-07:00

Which music style best fits your musical ear? Take your pick at the 2010 Got to be NC Festival on two free music stages! The Geico Triangle Music Stage near Dorton arena will feature two country groups on Friday, 5/21---Look for Charlie Albertson, the singing senator who penned the now infamous song "Leave the Man Alone" about Willie Nelson after his band's run-in with law enforcement in Duplin County, and we'll close the evening with the Barn Burners. Catch bluegrass on the Heritage Stage all weekend with host band Boys from Carolina and a bluegrass band competition Saturday afternoon. Jeanne Jolly will grace the Geico Stage with four concerts on Saturday, and beach band North Tower will play four shows from that stage on Sunday!

Anyone remember Corbitt Trucks & Tractors???

2010-03-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

Corbitt trucks and tractors were made in the early 20th century in Henderson, NC. Most of the tractors were exported to South America, so very few examples still survive. This year we'll celebrate the 100th anniversary of Corbitt at the Got to be NC Festival with more than a dozen Corbitt trucks and tractors --- that's quite a collection! Come check them out near the Holshouser (round) building May 21-23.

There's gonna be a fiber fest dude!!

2010-02-15T12:19:00.001-08:00

Come see me and my friends at the FiberFest in Holshouser Building (the round one) during the 2010 Got to be NC Festival coming to the State Fairgrounds May 21-23. Look for weavers, spinners, crafters, artists and cool sheep and other animals, too. Admission is free!!!

One hump or Two???

2010-02-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

When you step up to ride the camels at the 2010 Got to be NC Festival, will it be a dromedary (one hump) or bactrian (two humps)? Bet you didn't know you'd run into a biology lesson today!

Exciting news--WRAL to host Health & Fitness Expo during festival

2010-02-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

We've just learned that WRAL will host the Health and Fitness Expo in the Graham Building on Saturday and Sunday of the festival weekend. Admission to this event will be free, too, meaning that most of the events will have free admission at the fairgrounds that weekend. Other events you ask? How about a Choplin Marine boat show in the Scott Building, a 4-H horse show in the Hunt Horse Complex, the Flea Market, a new Fiber Fest in the Holshouser Bldg as part of the Got to be NC Festival and more. The only paid admission will be the Grandstand Shows---Draft Horse Pull on Friday evening, Antique Tractor Pulls on Saturday and Lawnmower Racing on Sunday. And each grandstand show is only a $5 admission! Rides and games in the midway will of course charge, but look for special discounts to bring those prices down!

Entries are arriving!!!

2009-12-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

Have you submitted your antique tractor/equipment registration yet? If you are a commercial exhibitor or concession vendor wanting to be part of the festival, jump in early! The forms are on-line for your convenience at www.ncagfest.com.

Have a blessed holiday season and we're looking forward to seeing you in May!

New Registration Forms online for 2010 Festival

2009-12-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Jump over to the Got to be NC Festival website at www.ncagfest.com and register your antique tractor or farm equipment, sign up your company for exhibit or sales space, register your bluegrass band for competition and more! The 2010 Festival runs May 21-23 and we hope to see you all there. Of course admission and parking will again be free!!!

2010 Dates have been selected!!!

2009-06-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars now to make sure you join us May 21, 22 and 23, 2010 for the third annual Got to be NC Festival. We'll be back with more food and wine in the Food and Wine Expo (and a new wine garden), more BBQ for sale, more food vendors, more fiber arts and crafts supplies, more music and more of the great things that make North Carolina such a special place.

Thank you for a great festival

2009-06-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

What a tremendous time we had last weekend! If you missed it, all I've gotta say is don't miss it in 2010!!! We had about 85,000 folks in the festival over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The rides were full, the food vendors hopping and folks were having a great time. Thanks for coming and we'll see you next year!

The lawn mowers are kicking up dirt on the track!

2009-05-31T12:19:00.000-07:00

There's still time to take in the mud-slinging fun that is lawn mower racing at the Got to Be NC Festival! It runs until 9 p.m. in the Sam Rand Grandstand at the state fairgrounds.

Countdown to the racing lawn mowers!

2009-05-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

There's just three hours until the 1 p.m. start time of the lawn mower races and a quick look around shows the drivers seem more than ready to get racing. Some of the modified mowers are still being unloaded and they are attracting a fair amount of attention.

One festival goer inquired, "Who in the world ever thought about racing lawn mowers?"

The inside skinny according to one of the drivers for Zero Tolerance Racing is that the idea to race lawn mowers got its start in Britain -- in a pub. That explanation drew a few chuckles.

The mowers are truly lawn mowers, just souped up to reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour or more. That's right, 60 miles per hour. The racers take safety precautions -- helmets, chest protector vests, fire-retardant racing suits, etc. Today's races are sanctioned by the American Racing Mower Association, and drivers will be competing for trophies and points toward the national championship.

You will see a variety of lawn mowers competing, some newer models, some older models. They are shorter than a regular mower, lowered to just 4 inches off the ground in order to compete. Many of the tractors have special lettering and flame designs meant to inspire and maybe intimidate other racers. One mower sports the name, "The Reaper."

The fun begins in the Sam Rand Grandstand at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5. Come check out the races!

Hogs spotted at the fairgrounds

2009-05-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hogs roared across the fairgrounds this morning as a huge group of Harley-Davidsons entered the Dorton Arena for the motorcycle show at the Got to Be NC Festival. I stopped by the arena to check out the show featuring close to 100 motorcycles. There were big bikes and small bikes, but what caught my eye was a personalized license plate that said MYHONOR.

I took some time to inspect the other plates. Here are some of my favorites:

CDEUCER
GO2JAIL
BLKBUTY
QUIK
CHILIN’ 1
CHILIN’ 2

Let us hear from you. What personalized license tags have you seen? What are your favorites? See you at the fairgrounds.

Friday footage of the Got to Be NC Festival

2009-05-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a short video montage of Friday's activities at the Got to be NC Ag Festival:

Foodie Find at the Got to Be NC Festival: Deep Fried Pizza

2009-05-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

While exploring all of the action at the Got to Be NC Festival, we discovered a new favorite treat that we hope will also be at the State Fair — deep fried pizza from Blue Diner Grille!

This tasty treat is dipped and battered in Italian breading, fried to perfection and served with some spicy ranch sauce. It has a very satisfyingly warm and cheesy center with bits of pepperoni throughout.

Check out this video as Firecracker, Flying Bob and Green Thing taste test our first deep fried pizza.

A big thanks to the folks at the Blue Diner Grille, located in front of the Food & Wine Expo in the Expo Building, for letting us taste test, and report on, their new deep fried creation.

And enjoy the comedy of the World’s Strongest Redneck in the background.

Busy, fun weekend planned at the State Fairgrounds

2009-05-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

It’s gonna be a full house at the State Fairgrounds this weekend, with plenty for everyone in the family to find something to do. Let’s take a quick trip around the Fairgrounds to get a feel for what’s going on. Or if you want, download a map from the Got to Be NC Festival Web site. (Dates and times vary, so visit the respective Web sites to double check times.)

Here’s your all-encompassing list for this weekend’s events:

NC Pig Jig / Mason’s BBQ Cooking Championship (Sat) - beside the Expo Center
Teams of Masons will have cooked whole pigs, pork shoulders and even chickens overnight to win bragging rights as the best Q cookers in the state. And you’re the winner! From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., adults pay $10 to sample as much BBQ as they can hold, and kids under 12 eat free. All the money raised at this event will go to support the two Masonic homes for children in Oxford, N.C. http://www.ncagfest.com/

Classic Car Show Roundup (Fri) and Harley Davidson Show (Sat) - Dorton Arena
Display your classic car or just come check out these vintage cars at the Classic Car Round-up Friday evening from 5 p.m. until about 8 p.m. If you’re bringing your car (1979 or older), plan on arriving between noon and 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. On Saturday, a huge group of Harley riders will parade from Ray Price Harley-Davidson on South Saunders Street in Raleigh with a police escort and arrive at the fairgrounds around 11:30 a.m. Bikes will then park in Dorton Arena for you to browse and enjoy. http://www.rayprice.com/

Got to Be NC Food Expo (Fri - Sun) - Exposition Building
Sauces, wines, candies, meats, nuts, snacks, beverages and more from producers across North Carolina will be available for sample and purchase from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. http://www.ncagfest.com/

Entertainment on the Triangle Stage (Fri-Sun) - Food Lion Picnic Grounds in front of the Expo Building
Steve McGranahan proves why he is the World’s Strongest Redneck, North Tower performs oldies and beach music and Edsel 500 croons rockabilly and bluegrass tunes. See the complete schedule below. http://www.ncagfest.com/

Friday & Sunday
11:30 a.m. - Steve McGranahan
noon - North Tower
2:30 p.m. - Steve McGranahan
3 p.m. - North Tower
5:30 p.m. - Steve McGranahan
6 p.m. - North Tower

Saturday
11:30 a.m. - Steve McGranahan
noon - Edsel 500
2:30 p.m. - Steve McGranahan
3 p.m. - Edsel 500
5:30 p.m. - Steve McGranahan
6 p.m. - Edsel 500

Fiber Fair & Antique Homemaking collection (Fri - Sun) - Holshouser Building
Check out the Fiber Fair and a display of antique homemaking equipment and supplies, as well as a quilting demonstration by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lord Granville Tractor Club. The Fiber Fair will feature weavers, spinners and crafters showcasing how yarn is made from raw material and transformed into useful garments. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. http://www.ncagfest.com/

Bluegrass performances, competition and animals (Fri-Sun) - Heritage Circle and Stage
Come relax in the shade and listen to traditional N.C. bluegrass by Back Porch Bluegrass on the Heritage Stage Friday at 1, 4 & 7 p.m., on Saturday at 11 a.m. & 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1, 4 & 7 p.m. The Bluegrass Competition will take place on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. as we look for the best amateur bluegrass band in the state! Heritage Circle will also be home to alpacas, dairy goats, mules and long-horn steers. http://www.ncagfest.com/

Antique Tractor Display (Fri - Sun) - throughout the grounds
Thousands of pieces of antique farm machinery will be on display. Stop and chat with tractor owners and find out more about the different brands and how they’ve restored or maintained these machines. There will be a daily tractor parade at 11 a.m. http://www.ncagfest.com/

Carnival (Fri - Sun) - Midway area
More than 20 rides (from tame to wild) and lots of games and foods will be available on the Midway. Buy individual tickets for $1 each, a sheet of 14 tickets for $10, or save even more with a sheet of 30 tickets for $20. Serious riders may want to wait until Sunday to buy an armband for unlimited rides for $20, good from 3-10 p.m. that day. The carnival is open 10 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. www.ncagfest.com

Grandstand Events - Sam G. Rand Grandstand www.ncagfest.com

Draft Horse Pull - Friday, 5 - 9 p.m. Cost: $5 - Lightweight and heavyweight draft horse teams will compete to see who can pull a weighted load the farthest. Each class will vie for prize money ranging from $550 for first place to $50 for 10th place.
Antique Tractor Pull - Saturday, noon - 9 p.m. Cost: $5 - Tractor owners will compete throughout the day to earn trophies and points toward the Carolina Antique Tractor Pulling Association grand championship. Larger and louder tractors will battle on Saturday night.
Lawnmower Racing - Sunday, noon - 9 p.m. Cost: $5 - Members of the American Racing Mower Association will steer souped-up lawnmowers around an oval track at speeds up to 60 miles-per-hour. Teams from along the East Coast will participate in junior and adult racing classes to earn trophies and points toward a national championship.

Department of Labor Pole Top Rescue Linesman Competition (Sat) - Near Gate 9 Watch this professional competition as linesmen from across the state perform pole top rescues as if a co-worker were electrocuted or otherwise injured while servicing electrical wires. Linesmen will climb, secure and lower the injured lineman to the ground for first aid and CPR if necessary. Competition will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Raleigh Summer Boat Show & Sale (Thurs - Sun) - Kerr Scott Building
Boat Show and Sale presented by Choplin Marine - Event Hours: Noon -6 p.m. on Thursday, Noon - 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday. Free admission. http://www.carolinaboatshows.com/

Flea market (Sat & Sun) - Grounds on the east and south sides of Dorton Arena, plus Commercial & Education Buildings and Lunch StandsThe Flea Market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. The Commercial and Education buildings and the outside grounds are host to hundreds of dealers, craftsmen and booths. http://www.raleighfleamarket.net/

Health & Fitness Expo (Sat & Sun) - Graham Building
This free expo offers dancing, aerobics, health tests and screenings, jazzercising, soccer, rock climbing, a community blood drive and more. Tons of fun family activities combined with important health and medical information.

The rides are rising!

2009-05-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Less than three days left before the Got to be NC Festival opens at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on May 29 at 9 a.m. Most of the rides are in place and will be inspected by the Dept. of Labor tomorrow. In NC, all rides must be 100% correct before we're allowed to open them to the public. Remember, admission and parking are free, and the rides are very reasonable, especially with the wristband day on Sunday where you can ride all you want for $20!

How much will rides cost?

2009-05-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your interest in the Got to be NC Festival coming to the State Fairgrounds May 29-31. I'm afraid we do have to charge for rides. Each ride will take 3 to 5 tickets per person. All the rides will be fully inspected by the NC Department of Labor prior to the festival, and will be monitored each day.

There will be discount tickets available if you buy even a small quantity. If you just want to ride one ride you can buy individual tickets for $1 each, but the savings are in quantity purchases. You can buy a sheet of 14 tickets for $10, or save even more with a sheet of 30 tickets for $20.

And if you're a serious rider, you might consider waiting until Sunday when you can buy an armband for unlimited rides for $20 good from 3-10pm that day.

Hope to see you at the festival.

Jim Knight

One-Price Wristbands on Sunday!!!!

2009-05-20T13:42:00.001-07:00

If you like carnival rides, make sure and come out to the Got to be NC Festival on Sunday, May 31 when from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. that day only you can ride all you want for $20!!! What a great way to finish off the weekend!

Record vendor turnout means greater selections!

2009-05-14T18:04:00.001-07:00

Our concession and commercial vendors are turning out in record numbers for the Got to be NC Festival and that means you'll have more to see, taste, and buy than before! Over 80 food and wine vendors and more than 50 commercial vendors including over two dozen food concessions will tempt you as you stroll through the festival. Look for more choices in concession foods to include Asian noodle bowls, seafood, barbecue, roasted fresh corn on the cob, grass-fed Angus steak burgers and more. And oh yeah---sample and buy wines from 10 NC wineries! And I keep forgetting to tell you admission is FREE. Yes FREE!!!

Back Porch Bluegrass to serve as host bluegrass band

2009-05-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

Back Porch Bluegrass Band from Wilkesboro, NC will serve as the host band for the 2009 Got to be NC Festival, playing multiple shows daily from the new Flower Show Stage in Heritage village. These shows are free and presented by the Got to be NC Festival.

This new stage location will provide a great shady locale for spectators in a grassy ampitheather setting under the Carolina pines. Chairs and benches will be provided, and refreshments will be available in the adjacent Heritage Village area.

To learn more about Back Porch Bluegrass, visit http://www.backporchbluegrass.com/

Don't miss the Bluegrass Band Competition on Saturday afternoon from the same stage where we'll find the best amateur bluegrass band in the area!

North Tower and Edsel 500 to play on Triangle stage

2009-05-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

We're excited to feature two Triangle bands on the Triangle Stage during the Got to be NC Festival as we welcome beach and oldies band North Tower for three shows on Friday and Sunday, and rockabilly band Edsel 500 from Chapel Hill for three shows on Saturday! These free shows will be full of energy and will provide great entertainment as you browse the food and commercial vendors in the Dorton Triangle.

An added bonus will be the chance to enjoy your food, or just take a rest in the Food Lion Family Picnic Grounds located in the same area. These two grassy mini-parks will be outfitted with benches and tables and will be a great place to listen to the bands. The waterfall will be running, too, so bring the whole family and make a day of it!

Check out the bands at the following websites:
http://www.northtowerband.com/
http://www.myspace.com/edsel500

World's Strongest Redneck joining the festival

2009-04-30T03:50:00.000-07:00

Steve McGranahan, lovingly known as the World's Strongest Redneck, will have a homecoming of sorts when he appears at the 2009 Got to be NC Festival. Turns out Steve, who many folks recognize from his appearances on CMT Country Fried Videos and other national shows, is originally from Durham. Steve will host three shows daily from an outdoor stage in the Food Lion Family Picnic Grounds at the festival. You may know about his feats of strength like bending nails and frying pans, ripping decks of cards and phone books, but do you know about his spiritual side? Check out Heaven Bent Ministries for more!

Rocky the Trick Mule will miss the festival...

2009-04-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

We heard yesterday that Rocky the Trick Mule will not be able to attend the 2009 Got to be NC Festival. There's nothing wrong with Rocky---but his trainer has come up lame and will require some surgery in early May. We hope to have Rocky at some other events soon as James gets feeling better!

Get your daily fiber at the festival

2009-04-20T07:32:00.001-07:00

A brand new treat at the 2009 Got to be NC Festival this year will be the Fiber Fair---inside the Holshouser Building---during the festival. We'll have weavers, spinners, crafters, etc., set up in the building demonstrating and selling their wares. These artisans are some of the same group that held a small fiber fair in the past in Erwin at Averasboro Battleground. There will also be alpacas just down the hill in Heritage Circle to visit.

Look for a quilt demonstration by the Ladies Auxilliary of the Lord Granville Tractor Club in the same building along with antique homemaking equipment and supplies.

It's MUSIC (and more), and it's FREE!!!

2009-04-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

We'll have two entertainment stages this year at the Got to be NC Festival with some great NC talent on both stages. The contracts aren't signed yet, but look for three solid days of bluegrass on the Heritage Stage. We've moved this stage into the Flower Show for 2009 so there's lots of trees, shade, grass and tables where you can sit and enjoy the music. Don't miss the Bluegrass Band Competition on Saturday afternoon! All these concerts are free.

On the Triangle stage located in the Food Lion Family Picnic Grounds near the Expo Building, listen for beach music on Friday and Sunday, and a great rockabilly group on Saturday. Joining these musicians will be a special national television celebrity originally from Durham with three shows daily. These shows are free, too!

Sorry to be a tease, but we'd get in big trouble if we named names before we have contracts signed. Check back next week and we should be forthcoming with all the information!!!

Kerr Drug comes aboard as Title Sponsor

2009-03-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome Kerr Drug, a great North Carolina company, to the position of Title Sponsor for the Got to be NC Festival. Kerr Drug was involved in the festival last year and when we talked to them about the 2009 edition, they were excited and ready to step up! Kerr Drug was founded in North Carolina in 1951 and today offers a wide range of products from foods to prescription and over the counter drugs, geriatric aids, cosmetics, photofinishing and so much more. With stores across North Carolina, visit http://www.kerrdrug.com/ to find a store close to you.

Rocky the trick mule

2009-03-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a mule jump into the bed of a pickup truck? Or perch on an elevated stand? Or for that fact, have you ever seen a mule that listens and obeys? Come see Rocky the trick mule perform three shows a day at the 2009 Got to be NC Festival May 29-31. Rocky will performing at the Children's Barnyard area of the State Fair, and will make a guest appearance at the Draft Horse Pull (to show those horses a thing or two) on Friday evening. Check out the daily schedule and learn more about the festival at http://www.ncagfest.com/.

Bring on the HOGS!!!

2009-03-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 30 will be "Hog Day" at the Got to be NC Festival in more ways than one.

First of all, teams of Masons from around the state will gather for their statewide barbecue cooking championship, called the NC Pig Jig, at the festival. You can benefit and help them raise money for orphanages in Oxford when you buy a Pig Jig Sampling Pass for $10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This allows you to sample ANY or ALL the Q being cooked by the 20 or so teams, along with some slaw and fixin's. Visit http://www.carolinapigjig.com/ for more.

And there will be some louder HOGS arriving about 11 when a huge group of Harley riders arrive from Ray Price Harley Davidson on South Saunders Street in Raleigh in parade form with a police escort. We'll park 'em all in Dorton Arena for you to browse through and enjoy. Contact Ray Price Harley Davidson Buell at 919-832-2261 or visit http://www.rayprice.com/ for more.

Of course we'll have the racing pigs and baby pigs in the petting zoo, too!

Cruise In on Friday night!!!

2009-03-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

Fire up the Woody and drive on over to the Classic Car Round-up Friday evening at the 2009 Got to be NC Festival. This great, free show will be held in Dorton Arena from 5 p.m. until about 8 p.m. If you're bringing your car (1979 or older), plan on arriving between noon and 4 p.m. We'll get you parked in Dorton and give you the chance to do a last-minute polish before the doors open to the public at 5.

We'll have trophies for the best Ford, GM, Chrysler and "Other" vehicles. Festival visitors will be invited to come circulate the car show while they're at the festival that evening. Look for a registration form to appear on the web site this week with contact information.

Join us as we kick-off the festival with a great classic car show on May 29th!

Food and Wine Expo open all three days!!!

2009-03-23T12:10:00.001-07:00

North Carolina wineries are joining the Food Expo at the Got to be NC Festival for 2009 to showcase the different grapes we grow and wines we make. And it's not just about wine! Did you know that companies are now taking the seeds and hulls of muscadine grapes and making a healthy supplement from them? And another company is making frozen muscadine slushies!

This free Food and Wine Expo will introduce you to more than 100 companies from across the state with samples and sales of their products. Maybe it will be a new line of sausage, or a gourmet chocolate covered apple, or natural peanut butter. You never know what you'll find when you browse the aisles.

And don't forget to make time for the stage presentations on cooking with NC grown foods, pairing foods with NC wines, gardening to grow your own fruits and veggies and more.

The Food and Wine Expo is FREE!!! Mark your calendars now---Friday and Saturday 5/29 and 30 from 11 a to 8 p, and Sunday 5/31 from 11 a to 6 p.

Three grandstand events--Only $5 each!!!

2009-03-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Admission to the festival is free. So is parking. But we have a to charge a little to be able to keep bringing you great entertainment on the cheap. So here's a fun way to spend three afternoons or evenings having a great time for only $5 per show!

Friday, May 29: Horsepower comes to the grandstand as 20 teams of draft horses compete to see who can pull the most weight. There will be lightweight and heavyweight teams, and you'll be amazed how much weight two horses can move! This will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 30: Horsepower of a different sort hits the grandstand when over 100 antique tractors hook up to the weighted sled and test their mettle. There will be two shows on Saturday, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, so if you miss the first, come on down for round two! Shows will run from around noon to about 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 31: These folks must be crazy! Hop on a souped up lawnmower and zoom around an oval track at speeds up to 60 mph. The ARMA (American Racing Mower Association) sponsors a great afternoon and evening of races with several classes of competition where kids and adults will draft and pass and do some serious flat-track racing! Two different shows in the afternoon and evening.

How do you like your BBQ?

2009-02-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

We've just confirmed that the "Carolina Pig Jig" will be our featured cooking contest at the 2009 Got to be NC Festival on Saturday, May 30 only. This fun event will "pit" teams of Masons from across North Carolina who will cook a variety of items for your eating pleasure. Look for some teams cooking whole hogs, some cooking shoulders, and even some cooking chicken. Check out the cookers and you'll find them fired with wood, charcoal or gas. Which is your favorite? You get to pick the winning team with the people's choice awards.

Teams will begin set-up and cooking on Friday evening, so go wander through that evening and early Saturday morning and see the various cooking rigs and ask lots of questions. The barbecue will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday only.

What'll it cost you ask? How about a $10 admission for adults to sample the Q from as many cookers as your tummy will allow. Pick up some bread and slaw at the ticketing tent and PIG OUT! (right now we're trying to make it work for kids to eat free, but they will at least be very cheap!)

Got to be NC Festival returns to State Fairgrounds

2009-02-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars for May 29-31 for the return of the Got to be NC Festival to the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC. It's FREE!!! Come enjoy a full carnival, a food show where you can sample and buy food and wine from over 100 N.C. companies, eat great BBQ, listen to bluegrass and beach music, visit the petting zoo, pig races and pony rides and so much more! Look for gatherings of classic cars one day and Harley Davidson motorcycles on another.

Look for updates as we get closer to the festival, and be sure and check the website http://www.ncagfest.com/ often for even more information. You can register your antique farm equipment here, sign up for camper space, register your draft horses and more!