General Competitions at the North Carolina State Fair are open to North Carolina residents (except where otherwise noted).  There may be age restrictions for some competitions--please refer to the Premium Book for specific information in each competition department.

• Please first refer to the North Carolina State Fair General Entries Premium Book for complete information related to entry deadlines, rules, and regulations for each competition department. Most competitions require pre-registration. 
• After reviewing the Premium Book, you may register online or by mail. Online registration of entries is encouraged.
  • Do not submit the same entries online and by mail. This will result in duplicate entries that will delay and misdirect the processing of your entry.  
  • Please list your full legal name and refrain from abbreviations or listing a nickname. If you enter competitions in the Fair every year, please make sure to use your full legal name every time you register.  This assures that any premiums you win will be properly linked to your name.
  • Please provide a valid mailing address, as premium checks are sent via mail to exhibitors.

Some departments have size limitations for entries. Please refer to the General Entries Premium Book for more information for competitions departments.  Entries that exceed size limitations will be disqualified.

Certain competitions require entry fees. Please refer to the General Entries Premium Book to determine if you will be required to pay an entry fee.  Entries registered online entries that require entry fees must be paid by credit card during the online entry process.  If you submit your registration by mailing entry forms to the Fair, you must include a check or money order made out to the North Carolina State Fair for your entries to be registered.

• Exhibitors must provide a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) at the time of registration to be able to receive a premium check. A valid SSN or EIN must be provided at registration--it cannot be provided at a later time.
  • If you decline to provide your SSN or EIN, please type in all 0's for your number to be able to continue the online registration process.
  • Inputting 000-00-0000 or any other obviously invalid SSN or EIN will automatically be regarded as a declination to provide a valid number and result in forfeiture of all premiums earned from any NC State Fair Competitions. Ribbons will still be awarded.

Parents:  Do not list your SSN on behalf of your children. SSN and EIN numbers provided must match the name of the registered exhibitor.  EIN cannot be used for individuals and SSN cannot be used for businesses, clubs, or groups. IRS guidelines require the NC State Fair to submit Tax Identification information for every premium that is paid by the Fair, regardless of the amount or age of the exhibitor.

Online Entries: You will receive a confirmation e-mail from the ShoWorks Online Registration Site.  Make sure that your confirmation e-mail does not say “pending” at the top of the e-mail.  If it does, then your registration is incomplete and you need to sign-in and submit the information.  If you enter online, do not mail an entry form to the Entry Department. 

Mailed Entry Forms: You will have to call the Entry Department (919-839-4513) to check the status of your entries. Please allow a few days for processing and before you call.

No. The entry registration deadline is final. We do not allow late entries.

No.  Due to space limitations and liability issues, the Fair cannot accept entries for display that are not registered.

• Please refer to the General Entries Premium Book for the judging schedule.  Judging is closed to the public.
• Results will be posted online in each competition department by the conclusion of the fair. You may also come to the Fair to view your entries in their respective competitions department exhibits to determine the results.
  • Due to required processing time, please do not call the Entry Department regarding results until the Fair officially opens.

• Please refer to the General Entries Premium Book and each competition department for Entry Take-In and Release information. 
• All entries must remain on display for the duration of the Fair. There are no exceptions.