Got to Be NC Festival returns May 18-20
The Got to Be NC Festival returns to the State Fairgrounds May 18-20 with plenty of delicious food, rides, fun activities and horsepower to satisfy every attendee.
North Carolina food and beverages from nearly 100 producers will take center stage at the N.C. Food and Wine Expo, one of the highlights of the festival. Visitors can sample a variety of products and purchase some to take home. Cookbook signings will be a new addition to the Expo this year. Cost for the food and wine expo is $2 and includes a discount coupon sheet for select products at the show.
Food will also be available on the grounds of the Festival, including the N.C. Pig Jig on Saturday. The Pig Jig will feature more than 40 Mason teams competing for bragging rights and to raise money for charity. North Carolina seafood will also be on the menu as part of the Shriner's Fish Fry. Seafood plates will be for sale each day, with the money raised also going to charity.
Hundreds of vintage tractors will be on display, drawing from tractor clubs and tractor enthusiasts across the state. Be sure to catch the daily tractor parade around the fairgrounds led by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
Tractors won't be the only horsepower on display during the festival; on Friday night, a classic car show will be one of the attractions and a Harley Davidson drive-in, with hundreds of motorcycles, will take place Saturday. More horses can be seen in the Sam Rand Grandstand where visitors will be treated to a draft horse pull on Friday night and an antique tractor pull Saturday. All grandstand shows are free.
Fiber crafters will find plenty to enjoy at the Carolina FiberFest. Advanced classes and spinning, weaving and other demonstrations will be part of the activities. A wide selection of fiber products will be available for sale, including raw fiber, hand-spun yarn, naturally dyed yarns, spinning wheels and other related products.
Thrill seekers will find more than 30 midway rides and carnival games at the festival. Two special ride deals will be offered during the festival. Ride All-Day wrist bands can be purchased for $20 on Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The wrist bands are good for unlimited rides during festival hours only on the designated days.
Festival hours are Friday from noon to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, go to www.gottobencfestival.com.
