‘Nothing Could Be Finer’ than the N.C. State Fair Oct. 13-23 in Raleigh

New discounts, new entertainment, new competitions – the 2016 N.C. State Fair has it all, Oct. 13-23 at the State Fairgrounds.

Discounts

The new Daredevil Package includes two adult admission tickets and six ride sheets (108 ride tickets total) for $72, offering a savings of $56 off gate admission and $4 off advance price. Daredevil Packages are available online only until Oct. 13 at 11:59 p.m. as a print-at-home ticket.

Choral competition

Twenty local middle and high school choirs will sing in the N.C. State Fair’s first Choral Competition, which will take place Thursday, Oct. 13. The middle school division will compete from 4-6 p.m., and the high school division will compete from 7-9 p.m. Each division’s winner receives $1,000, and all participating choirs will be awarded at least $100. The competition is a concert event in Dorton Arena and is free to all fairgoers.

Grounds entertainment

Seven new acts, including acrobats, human puppets and trained wolves, are coming this year:

The Red Trouser Show’s star acrobats, David Graham and Tobin Renwick, balance on each other’s heads, juggle flaming batons and more.

Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean features a family of performers who will do tricks on the high wire and Wheel of Death while acting out the story of pirates battling over treasure.

Tangled Threads, a stilt-walking puppet master and his human marionette, will interact with fairgoers near the Expo Center.

FireStryker, a prehistoric dragon, will roam Kiddieland with its medieval dragon trainer.

A pair of stilt-walking unicorns from Dream City Stiltwalkers will wander at the Flower and Garden Show area.

The Wolves of the World Show features a pack of trained wolves performing tricks while trainer Sharon Sandlofer educates the audience about the importance of wolves to the ecosystem.

All Star Big Top Circus will present its circus dogs as they perform tricks and even give the audience a doggie fashion show.

Kids’ entertainment

Three new kid-centric acts are joining the entertainment lineup at the 2016 N.C. State Fair:

The Cutest Show on Earth is a theater experience for kids, who will be given costumes and guided to use their creativity to produce a one-of-a-kind show.

Agriculture magic show The Magic Bean will get kids thinking about where their food comes from through an act that incorporates magic tricks, skits and audience participation.

Acclaimed cartoonist Guy Gilchrist will entertain kids with drawing demonstrations and guitar playing near Field of Dreams.

Rides

The N.C. State Fairgrounds will premiere its first permanent ride at the 2016 fair. The State Fair Flyer will transport fairgoers across the Midway, providing an aerial view of the grounds. The ride, which is similar to a ski lift, is more than 40 feet high at its peak. It has endpoints at the west end of the Scott Building and near Gate 8. A one-way trip transports riders 1,400 feet across the fairgrounds and lasts seven minutes. Cost is $5 for a one-way ride or $8 for a round trip.

Merchandise

The fair will introduce its own line of official N.C. State Fair merchandise at The Nest. The Nest will be in the lobby of the Exposition Center and will be open daily during the fair. It will feature T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, coffee mugs, pint glasses, limited edition Christmas ornaments and more.

Get tickets

Advance tickets for the State Fair are on sale at www.ncstatefair.org and at Food Lion stores. Advance admission tickets are $8 for ages 13-64 and $3 for ages 6 to 12, compared to $10 for adults and $5 for kids at the gate. Go online to www.ncstatefair.org for more information.