College Day

Thursday, October 15th

$8 Student Admission for North Carolina College Students

College & University students get admission for just $8 by showing their Valid Student ID card at the gate!

This offer is only available at the gate on Thursday, Oct.15, and is valid only for students.

Sensory Day

Running from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 18th, visitors can expect the following on Sensory Day:

• When gates open at 9 a.m., vendors and booths will operate without lights or music until 1 p.m.
• Rides and games begin at 10 a.m. and will also operate without music or lights until 1 p.m.
• Music stages will only play acoustic sets with light amplification.
• The public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements.

Activities on Sensory Day include:

• A “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” will be available to guests in the Graham Building with tables/chairs, low lighting and soft music playing for those who need to take a break from the busy atmosphere outside (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.).
• Guests can compete in specially designed inclusive and/or adaptive “on the spot” competitions (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.).
• Noise cancelling headphones will be available to check out in the “Bandwidth Chill Out Zone” for those who need them (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.).

Senior Citizens' Day 

Tuesday, October 20th

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, seniors ages 65+ get free admission to the Fair! Beginning at 9 a.m., while supplies last, Bojangles' biscuits and coffee will be served on the Dorton Patio near the Waterfall at the Senior Fun Fest. A program with Commissioner Steve Troxler and music will kick off at 10 a.m.

Accessible parking is available on a first-come-first-served basis outside Gate 10. Access the parking lot via Trinity Road. Overflow parking and overflow handicap parking will be available at Carter Finley Stadium (Gate A). Trams will be available to move fairgoers from the parking lot to Dorton Arena. Buses may drop off passengers at Gate 1, the closest gate to all the activities in Dorton Arena, and then move to Carter-Finley Stadium for parking.

Duke Energy Military Appreciation Day

Wednesday, October 21st

The N.C. State Fair in partnership with Duke Energy will pay tribute to past and present members of the U.S. Military for their service to the country on Wednesday, Oct. 21. With *proof of identification, military personnel (including veterans) plus three guests will gain free entry to the fair.

Join us for a parade through the grounds at 10 a.m. Starting in the carnival midway, the parade will make its way through Kiddieland, past the Scott Building and back through the carnival midway.

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day

Thursday, October 22nd - Bring six non-perishable food items and get in free! 

Hunger Relief Day began at the N.C. State Fair in 1993, and since then fairgoers have donated more than six million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and its partners. It has become one of the largest one-day canned-food drives in the state.

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day is Thursday, Oct. 22. Each fairgoer can bring six non-perishable food items to the fair gates in exchange for one free admission ticket. (e.g., 18 cans of food equals three admission tickets.) Donations are accepted at all gates.

The following products are examples of the most-needed nonperishable foods:

• Peanut Butter & Jams (larger plastic jars)
• Pasta
• Tuna, Chicken or Salmon (in pouches or pop-top cans)
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Ravioli and other ready-to-heat meals (in pop-top cans)
• Dried or Canned Fruit (sealed containers or pop-top cans)
• Granola or protein bars (boxes with individually-wrapped contents)

For a more detailed list, click here. The food collected on Hunger Relief Day will go a long way in providing much needed relief for our friends and neighbors.