The Got to Be NC Festival returns to the State Fairgrounds May 19-21 to showcase North Carolina agriculture and agribusiness with music, rides and plenty of food added to the mix. Admission and parking is free for this not-to-be-missed festival.
Today’s Topic with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis
Tractor parade
- I am getting excited because the Got to Be NC Festival is just around the corner running May 19-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
- Some people liken it to a mini State Fair and I’m Ok with that even though there are plenty of differences between the two.
- Every year we try to add something new to the lineup to make it even more fun for festival goers and this year is no different.
- We are adding a Butterfly Barn that will offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the life cycle of butterflies and migration patterns of native butterflies.
- As part of that, kids will find free crafting activities making a coffee-filter butterfly or a garden in a glove.
- And speaking of the State Fair, kids will be able to enter these crafts in the 2023 State Fair, or they can pick up an official coloring sheet at the festival to take home and get ready to enter into the fair.
- We are also going to have Chocolate and Chip, the two North Carolina turkeys who were pardoned at the White House this year, on display. I think a lot of people will be interested in seeing them.
- We are even adding some fun games for kids and adults. We are having a duck water racing game that is powered by an old-timey hand pump. The faster you pump water, the faster the duck moves.
- At noon on Saturday and Sunday, Carolina Cooker is sponsoring a Carolina Cooker Skillet Skee-Ball competition in women’s, men’s and youth categories. The first 25 in each category to register at 11 a.m. will compete to win a cast iron skillet. That should be an interesting contest.
- You will also be able to see egg candling demonstrations, which is the way poultry growers can tell if an egg is fertilized and going to produce a chick or not.
- And, we have a number of new food vendors in the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace and on the grounds.
- The Marketplace showcases some of the best North Carolina made food, plus wine and distilled spirits available to sample and purchase. There will be around 70 vendors total. The cost is just $3 and it’s a great place to discover a new favorite food product.
- Of course, the festival wouldn’t be the festival without its daily tractor parade, its display of antique tractors and farm equipment, carnival rides, music and the annual Carolina Pig Jig BBQ Cook-off on Saturday that benefits the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford.
- Or, all the agricultural exhibits that will be in AgriPlaza in the Jim Graham Building. Each day we will also have an exhibition of working dogs – K-9 units from Wake and Durham Sheriff’s offices and one of the department’s Spotted Lanternfly detection dogs.
- Each day offers different events, so be sure to check the schedule before planning your visit.
- Did I mention that admission and parking is free? Pay as you go for food and rides.
- I hope to see you there May 19-21.