Press Releases

Visitors of the 2022 N.C. Mountain State Fair can earn free admission in exchange for five cans of Laura Lynn brand foods on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The Laura Lynn brand can be found at more than 200 locations of Ingles Markets.MANNA FoodBank, which has seen an uptick in demand, will use the collected food to feed people in the 16 Western-most counties of North Carolina.

The excitement is building with less than three weeks to go until the opening of the 2022 N.C. Mountain State Fair Sept. 9-18 in Fletcher. An adorable otter water show, an alligator show and a thrilling high-wire act will join the fairgrounds entertainment lineup, along with a dozen new food and merchandise vendors. 

Has your farm family got what it takes to be one of the 11 families recognized this year at the N.C. State Fair as a Farm Family of the Day? If you are proud to be an N.C. farmer, work hard to contribute to the state’s No. 1 industry and love both farming and the N.C. State Fair, you could be one of the lucky ones selected.

The 2022 N.C. Mountain State Fair will offer several promotional days to help fairgoers save big on gate and ride tickets during the fair’s 28th annual run Sept. 9-18 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.“In addition to saving money by buying your admission and ride tickets to the Mountain State Fair in advance, we are offering other great deals for fairgoers during the fair,” said general manager Sean McKeon. “Whether you’re a kid, adult or senior, there are money saving opportunities for everyone, with special promotions being held just about every day of the fair.”

The North Carolina State Fair returns to the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh Oct. 13 - 23 , and fairgoers can save money on admission and rides by purchasing tickets online in advance now.“Buying in advance can save you up to 45 percent off prices compared to buying when you arrive at the fair,” said Kent Yelverton, state fair manager. “It is the most economical way to visit – especially if you’re bringing the whole family, plus you can bypass the ticket lines when you arrive at the fair and head straight to the gates.”

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has announced the following 2022-23 Got to Be NC team of Culinary Ambassadors, representing restaurants across the state.

North Carolina has been designated High Path Avian Influenza-free by the World Organization for Animal Health. This designation means that the state can resume exports and international trade for poultry products.Under WOAH guidelines, HPAI-free status can be declared after the disease has been eliminated on all affected farms and no new infections are detected during a 28-day waiting period.

Blue ribbon seekers get ready because the 2022 N.C. State Fair competitions are now open. If you think your artwork, honey, livestock, cooking, canned food, flowers or decorating skills are prize-winning, then don’t miss this year’s deadlines to enter. New competitions this year include ink pen decorated seashells and artwork inspired floral arrangements.

The deadline to enter items into the N.C. Mountain State Fair is fast approaching. To help as many fairgoers as possible in the area be able to enter, the Fair is again offering the Pony Express Run with free delivery for entry items from outlying Cooperative Extension offices to the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from 61 stores in Alamance, Brunswick, Carteret, Catawba, Columbus, Forsyth, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Iredell, Johnston, Jones, Mecklenburg, Moore, Nash, Orange, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly, Union, Vance, Wake, Watauga, Wayne and Yadkin counties because of excessive price-scanner errors.