The Apple Cart

10/19/2026

Sunset over the Gate 8 lake across from us. There'll be a spectacular fireworks display there in about 2 1/2 hours! :-)

10/19/2026

Unicorns, pumpkins, and Spiderman are just a few of the limited edition special apples we have available at the N.C. State Fair today. Visit us between Gate 8 and the Old Grist Mill.

10/17/2026

FYI we're just a few steps away from the Gate 8 tram stop!

Don't forget to rest your feet by taking the tram during your visit to the fair now through Oct. 25th! 👏

The interior tram that travels inside the fairgrounds costs a small fee and stops at Dorton Arena and inside near gates 8, 10 and 1. The tram costs are: $6.00 for seniors 65 yrs and older; $7.00 for 7 yrs - 64 yrs old. Kids 5 years old and under are free with an accompanying adult. Ticket booths for purchasing tram tickets are located at each of these stops inside the fairgrounds. Interior tram tickets cannot be purchased in advance.

The tram from Cardinal Parking Lot is free to ride. It connects the Cardinal Parking Lot to Gate 7. Once you park in the lot and walk down a short black-top pedestrian path toward the fairgrounds, you can hop on the tram to ride to Gate 7 along Youth Center Drive.

10/17/2026

Nice story on our friend John The Greek, who we've had the pleasure of working together with at fairs throughout Pennsylvania for many year!

For more than 30 years, John Koutoufaris — better known as John the Greek — has been serving up Greek favorites at the N.C. State Fair! From gyros and shish kebobs to stuffed grape leaves, John and his family have made their mark on the Fair since 1992.
What started with a dream has grown into a family tradition. His son Constantino works alongside John, and his wife Constance serves up giant slices of pizza at a second booth.
Today, John the Greek is more than a place to grab a bite. It's part of the N.C. State Fair experience that's now decades old.
Read the full story on the "Deep Fried at the N.C. State Fair" blog: https://deepfried.ncstatefair.org/from-greece-to-the-midway-the-john-the-greek-story/

10/16/2026

If you like hot summer nights then you should be at the fair tonight. It's going to be 30° cooler tomorrow night! It feels more like an August night at the Ohio State Fair. 😅

10/16/2026

Happy to see our friend The One Man Band Marc Dobson back at the N.C. State Fair! We always enjoy his entertainment.

10/16/2026

She followed us down from Pennsylvania and is now haunting us in Raleigh!

10/16/2026

Be sure to check out the America 250 Wheel at the N.C. State Fair this year! Also, don't forget to pick up some candy apples or cotton candy from us 😋

10/16/2026

So what other fairs out ranked the N.C. State Fair? Here's a hint: one of them is our 1st fair of the season :-)

The NC State Fair placed fourth, with an average monthly search volume of 33,100, a TikTok hashtag volume of 11,800, an Instagram hashtag volume of 123,781, a review rating of 4.4, and a $10 cost for tickets, according to the study.

See who beat us out at the link below.

10/15/2026

The most important thing to know is that we're between Gate 8 & the Old Grist Mill :-) Visit us through October 25th.

The NC State Fair begins today! Here's your guide to all things food, rides, parking, tickets and more 🌭🎡🍹🌽🐄