Got To Be NC Festival

The Got To Be NC Festival began several years ago as a small event in the Exposition Building at the NC State Fair grounds, but this annual event has grown to be a mini state fair all on its own! Originally a celebration focusing on North Carolina agricultural products and the foods and goods that are made from them, the festival now boasts everything from carnival rides, fair foods and petting zoos to lumberjacks, live music, auto shows, and the Masonic Pig Jig, featuring more than 40 chapters of Masons gathering for the Annual Masonic Carolina Pig Jig BBQ Cook-​off which provides all the BBQ you can eat for one ticket price!
The Homegrown Fair event is still present and is still the main draw for us; you can walk the aisles and try foods, drinks, sauces, sweets and other delights from such North Carolina classics as Neese Country Sausage, House-​Autry cornmeal products, Duplin Winery, Moravian cookies and more, with new additions that included local beers from Aviator, Raleigh Brewing Company, wines from multiple vineyards, and so many other items representing our great state! The standout for us this year was Sanctuary Vineyards, who offered a variety of wines well beyond the usual Carolina sweet standards. The $ 2 entry fee is well worth the diverse sampling of edibles that represent NC agriculture from BBQ to beverages and beyond!
Some events have an entry fee or a ticket price, including the rides, while others like the lumberjack event, petting zoo, live music, auto exhibits, and fireworks show are free to enjoy, making this an affordable outing for all. Parking is available off Trinity Road but it can get quite tight, so if taking the bus is an option it’s a good choice; the majority of attractions are wheelchair-​accessible and chairs are also available to rent at the festival. Many events take place outdoors, so keep an eye on the weather to know whether you should plan to bring extra sunscreen or an umbrella — or both, considering the springtime weather fluctuations. If North Carolina food and fun is your idea of a day well spent, make time each year for the Got To Be NC Festival!