Got to Be NC Festival wraps up successful run
The Got to Be NC Festival posted its best attendance with more than 85,000 people attending the three-day event at the State Fairgrounds.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of North Carolina agricultural products, antique farm equipment, carnival rides and live music.
The event also featured the N.C. Food and Wine Expo, pig races, a draft horse pull, classic car show, Harley-Davidson motorcycle ride-in, tractor pull and lawnmower racing.
“We are overwhelmed by the area’s support of the festival and of North Carolina agriculture,” said Jim Knight, festival manager. “Planning is already under way to make next year’s event even better, and we will announce those dates soon.”
Several competitions were held during the free three-day event, including the Carolina Pig Jig, bluegrass competition and antique tractor showcase.
More than 3,000 people sampled all-you-can-eat barbecue by 28 teams representing Masonic lodges from across the state at the Carolina Pig Jig. This year’s Pig Jig was the most successful fundraiser in the history of the event, raising more than $9,000 for the Central Children’s Home and Masonic Homes for Children of Oxford. The winners were:
- Grand champion: Hiram Lodge #40 of Raleigh;
- Second place: 27th Masonic District, P.H.A., of Greensboro;
- Third place: William G. Hill Lodge #218 of Raleigh;
- Fourth place: Rolesville Lodge #683 of Rolesville;
- Fifth place: Widow’s Son Lodge #4, P.H.A., of Raleigh;
- Team spirit: Riverside Lodge #606 of Catawba;
- People’s choice award: Hiram Lodge #40 of Raleigh.
Sounds of picking and fiddling floated from the flower-show area as amateur bluegrass bands took to the bluegrass stage. Prizes were awarded to the top three bands:
- First place: McFarland Road of Laurel Hill
- Second place: Sourwood Mountain of Franklinton
- Third place: Bethesda Blue-grass Band of Durham
Various prizes also were awarded to owners of antique farm equipment on display during the festival:
- Best of Show: Curtis Mabe of Parkton, 1964 Allis-Chalmers D21
- Best of Show, Prior to 1930: Ken and Patti Eder of Carthage, 1914 Sawyer Massey
- Best of Show, 1930-49: Jim Karriker of Mooresville, 1949 Allis-Chalmers G
- Best of Show, 1950-60: Neil Fishel of Winston-Salem, 1953 McCormick 04
- Best Original Condition: Shane McDowell and Larry McDowell of Denton, 1929 McCormick-Deering 22-36
