The Got to Be NC Festival will return to the State Fairgrounds Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. With free admission, free parking, free bluegrass and beach music and free food samples from nearly 100 N.C. companies, it’ll be a fun place to wrap up your Memorial Holiday week.
There are several new features to the festival this year. On Friday night, Dorton Arena will house a Classic Car Cruise-in showcasing vintage autos from 1979 and earlier. If you have a classic car and want to show it off, here’s an entry form.
On Saturday morning, Dorton Arena will transform into a hog barn — Harley hogs, that is. Hundreds of motorcycle riders will parade from Ray Price Harley Davidson on South Saunders Street in Raleigh to the fairgrounds, and arrive around 11:30 a.m. Speaking of parades, the Got to Be NC Big Cart will lead a parade of antique tractors around the fairgrounds on Friday at 11 a.m. More than 1,000 tractors and pieces of equipment will be on display throughout the weekend.
One of the new attractions specifically for younger visitors is the Kidz Corral, featuring an educational and entertaining activity area that will be fenced off so parents can let their little ones run and play. Kids can milk an artificial cow, dress up some scarecrows, participate in a horse shoe and milk can toss and much more. Pony rides, pig racing and the new Fiber Fair can also be found in this area.
You’ll want to come hungry and stop by the free Got to Be NC Food Expo. On Saturday, you can also get your fill of North Carolina BBQ as teams of Masons face off in the Carolina Pig Jig. Adults pay only $10 to sample as much BBQ as they can hold, and kids under 12 eat free. Looking for something a little more deep fried? The Got to Be NC Festival will feature some of your favorite “fair food” along with lots of rides and games from Brinkley’s Entertainment. And to get your motor running, you’ll want to attend the Draft Horse Pull on Friday night, the Tractor Pull on Saturday and the Lawnmower Race on Sunday. All events take place in the Grandstand and are $5 each.
Did I miss anything? Oh wait, there are also several other FREE events taking place at the fairgrounds that weekend, including the Clear Channel Health and Wellness Expo, the Choplin Boat Show and the State Fairgrounds flea market. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.ncagfest.com, or check out the Got to Be NC Festival blog.