YOUR TRUSTED AGRICULTURE SOURCE IN THE CAROLINAS SINCE 1974

NC Commissioner Troxler: County Agricultural Fair Season is in Full Swing

Mike Davis

In September and October, there are 26 county and regional agricultural fairs are being held across the state in addition to the N.C. Mountain State Fair and the N.C. State Fair. These events offer residents a great opportunity to showcase their talents and learn more about the state’s No. 1 industry – agriculture.

  • I always like to remind people around this time of year of the county and regional fairs being held across the state.
  • There are 26 agricultural fairs held across the state, mainly in September and October, in addition to the N.C. Mountain State Fair and the N.C. State Fair that we put on.
  • Legally to be called a “Fair” in North Carolina, you have to include agricultural exhibits as part of your event.
  • With so many new people moving to our state, county and regional ag fairs offer a great opportunity to learn more about your community and our state’s No. 1 industry – agriculture.
  • These fairs offer a variety of competitions including cooking, arts and crafts, canning, needlecraft and more. 
  • Each year at the State Fair, we have an exhibit made up of the Best of the Best of our county fairs for both youth and adult entries.
  • I can tell you that we have had some great entries over the years. I can recall some excellent paintings, terrific woodworking, and detailed quilting entries over the years.
  • It is exciting to see the skills and talents of so many people on display in one place.
  • A couple of early fairs start in late August, but for September, the Lee Regional Fair in Sanford is the earliest of the month, running Sept. 11-15.
  • The Duplin Agribusiness Fair in Kenansville is also an early September fair, running Sept. 12-14.
  • You can find local fairs held annually in Caldwell, Chatham, Chowan, Cleveland, Columbus, Cumberland, Davidson, Haywood, Iredell, Lenoir, Moore, Onslow, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, Wayne, Wilkes and Wilson counties.
  • Plus, there are fairs in Drexel, Hickory and Winston-Salem.
  • So much work goes into making these events happen, so I hope listeners will go support their local fairs.
  • Just be sure to save some room for the N.C. Mountain State Fair Sept. 6-15 and the N.C. State Fair Oct. 17-27!