RALEIGH – Chefs are invited to put their cooking skills to the test in daily competitions at the 2026 N.C. State Fair. This year’s fair features 11 new cooking competitions including the Delightful Dips challenge, Bless Your Tart! challenge, and the Layer It Up Lasagna challenge. Registration is now open.
Topics Related to NC State Fair
Application & Nomination period now open for the 2026 N.C. State Fair Farm Family of the Day Program
RALEIGH — Show off your talents at this year’s N.C. State Fair by entering one of the many competition categories that are now open. This year’s fair features several new competitions including Plein Air art, country ham, egg grading and diamond art.
RALEIGH – Thirty-three North Carolina students have been selected recipients of 2026 N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarships, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced.
The scholarships are designed for high school seniors and students currently enrolled in an institute of higher education who have participated in the junior livestock or market turkey shows at the N.C. State Fair. The scholarship program has awarded $677,500 since it started in 2015.
RALEIGH – The N.C. State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions raised $214,830 in bids for the top steers, barrows, lambs, goats and turkeys in the sale on Oct. 26.
After a monthlong break for the N.C. State Fair, the Raleigh Market will re-open Saturday, Nov. 8. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays except during October, when the annual State Fair is held.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler inducted four new members into the N.C. State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame Sunday, Oct. 26, at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
“Our livestock shows are some of the best in the nation, and the N.C. State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame serves to recognize individuals who work behind the scenes to make that true year after year,” Troxler said. “Generations before and generations to come have benefited from the dedication and experience of these four individuals, and we are proud to add them to this hall of fame.”
WHO/WHAT:
The N.C. State Fair mock tobacco auction, featuring retired auctioneers and tobacco company buyers re-creating a typical tobacco auction. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will also be on hand.
WHO/ WHAT:
The N.C. State Fair will host its annual food donation drive for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina on Thursday. Like every year since 1993, each fairgoer who donates food will gain free admission at any gate. A donation of six non-perishable food items will be accepted for one gate admission ticket.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, Smithfield Foods President of Hog Production Kraig Westerbeek and CEO of the Food Bank Amy Beros will hold a brief program in honor of Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day.