North Carolina

Guide to NC State Fair 2025: Tickets, transportation, parking, new rides and special event days

Published

2 hours ago

October 12, 2025

Guide to NC State Fair 2025: Tickets, transportation, parking, new rides and special event days

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The 2025 NC State Fair is just around the corner, opening its gates on Thursday for 11 days of fun, food, and entertainment.

This year’s fair promises an exciting lineup of new attractions, including 88 new food options, thrilling rides like the Colossus and Kamikaze, and captivating shows such as a Wild West roping performance.

Alongside these new experiences, fairgoers can enjoy beloved returning acts, special event days, and convenient ticket packages like the Bright Lights and Boots Package, which includes admission and a rodeo ticket.

Tickets and Dates

The 2025 NC State Fair runs from Thursday, October 16 to Sunday, October 26. You can purchase tickets now online.

There are also two new ticket packages offered this year — the Bright Lights and Boots Package, which includes an adult Fair admission ticket and a ticket to the rodeo, which is new in 2025 and part of the N.C. State Fair Horse Show lineup.

Click here for the vendor and ride finder

Daily Hours
Thursday, Oct. 16: noon – 11 p.m.
Friday & Saturday Oct. 17 – 18: 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday Oct. 24 – 25: 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday-Thursday Oct. 19 – 23: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 26: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.

You must be inside the gates before 9:45 p.m., and no one will be able to reenter after 9:45 p.m.

Deals and Discounts

Military Discount

Any active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64) pay only $8 daily at the gate. Veterans are offered the same discount for themselves, plus one discounted ticket for a guest or dependent, for a total of two tickets at the reduced rate.

See list of accepted ID.

Weekday Lunch Pass Program

You can also take a midday break and enjoy the fair for free! On any weekday, adult visitors can enter the fairgrounds at no cost between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. by using Gates 9 (off Trinity Road) or Gate 1 (off Hillsborough Street).

To participate, purchase a $20 lunch card at the gate (cash only) and explore the variety of fair food vendors, who accept both cash and credit cards. ATMs are available on-site for added convenience.

Be sure to return the lunch card at the same gate by 1:30 p.m. to receive a full cash refund. These lunch cards are valid only on the day of purchase.

New Entertainment

This year’s new Wild West-style roping and knife-throwing show by cowboy and world’s fastest draw champion Andy Rotz promises “plenty of trick roping, fire, gun slinging, and hold-your-breath moments.”

You’ll also find new entertainment like the Conjurer Fortune Machine, a live interactive “Zoltar”-style fortune experience, and the return of Cast in Bronze, a Carillon musical performance.

Plus, the Powers Great American Midway is bringing some exciting new rides this year, including the Colossus, The Flip Side, and Kamikaze.

Transportation and Parking

Free parking is available at the State Fair and Carter-Finley Football Stadium, as well as Lenovo Center for most days.

There is also free off-site parking at the Dogwood Lot (4501 Reedy Creek Road) and Cardinal Lot (5766 Chapel Hill Road). These will run Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. until one hour after gates close, and Oct. 17 – 26 from 9 a.m. until one hour after gates close.

Free shuttles, which will run continuously, are available near these lots:

Cardinal Lot: drop-off/pick-up at the new Gate 7 off Youth Center Drive
Dogwood Lot: drop-off/pick-up across Trinity Road at Gate 8

Neighboring residents also frequently convert parts of their property into small parking lots. This is not controlled by the fair.

AMTRAK will also operate a special train stop right in front of Gate 1 at the fair.

Full information about parking, park and ride locations, and hours can be found here.

Clear Bag Policy

The state fair clear bag policy will continue to be in place this year.

Those who have a clear bag will go through security much quicker. Any size or type of clear bag is acceptable. If you don’t have a clear bag, you will go through the bag search line.

Outside food and drink, water bottles, diaper bags with baby/toddler supplies and medications are allowed. Alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, knives, brass knuckles, batons and/or weapons of any type are not allowed.

Special Event Days

Wolfpack Day – Oct. 17
Current students at NC State get $8 admission by showing their student ID card at the gate.

Sensory Day presented by Bandwidth – Oct. 19
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., this is what you can expect:

Rides and games will operate with no lights or music playing, as well as vendors at their booths. Music will only play acoustic sets with light amplification.

The public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements.

Senior Citizens’ Day – Oct. 21
People ages 65 and older get free admission to the fair.

Starting at 9 a.m., Bojangles’ biscuits and coffee will be served on the Dorton Patio near the Waterfall at the Senior Fun Fest. After that, there will be a program with Commissioner Steve Troxler and music at 10 a.m.

Duke Energy Military Appreciation Day – Oct. 23

The state fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. Military. There will be a parade at 10: a.m., starting in the carnival midway. It will then go through Kiddieland, past the Scott Building and back to the midway.

Military Appreciation Day at the North Carolina State Fair took place Wednesday against the backdrop of troops preparing to deploy to the Middle East.

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day – Oct. 23

Bring six cans of food to the fair gates and get into the NC State Fair for free!

Six canned goods will get you in for free.

Hunger Relief Day dates back to 1993 at the fair. Since then, according to their website, fairgoers have donated 6 million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and its partners.

It has become one of the largest one-day canned food drives in the state.

For more information on special event days, visit the NC State Fair website.

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North Carolina

Obituary for Stanley Dean Earp at Hampton Funeral & Cremation Service

Published

14 hours ago

October 11, 2025

Press Room

Obituary for Stanley Dean Earp at Hampton Funeral & Cremation Service

Stanley Dean Earp age 89, of Boone passed away Friday October 10, 2025, at the Foley Center. He was born July 30, 1936, in Watauga County. The son of the late Ronda and Gertie Earp. He is survived by his wife, Alma Tester Earp of Boone one daughter, Sara Speed

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North Carolina

North Carolina is first stop for nor’easter tracking up East Coast. See expected impacts

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2025

Press Room

North Carolina is first stop for nor’easter tracking up East Coast. See expected impacts

A powerful nor’easter is expected to impact the East Coast this weekend, starting with the Carolinas.
The storm is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding and dangerous surf conditions.
Impacts could stretch from the Carolinas up to Massachusetts as the storm tracks north through early next week.
Nor’easters are coastal storms fueled by the contrast between cold land air and warm ocean waters.

A powerful nor’easter may wreak havoc on the East Coast this weekend, slamming the Carolinas on its path to the Northeast.

Marking the first nor’easter of the season, the coastal storm is known for strong and dangerous waves, high winds and heavy rainfall. In previous nor’easter events, the Outer Banks has experienced severe beach erosion, coastal flooding and dangerous surf conditions — sometimes literally knocking down homes and washing away sections of roadway.

As the storm tracks north, forecasters warn it could bring similar hazards to coastal communities from Virginia to Massachusetts, including power outages, travel disruptions and marine dangers with seas topping 10 feet, according to the National Weather Service office.

The exact track will determine which regions see the heaviest impacts, but residents along the East Coast should prepare for worsening conditions through early next week. A dry high-pressure system is expected to move in, bringing calmer weather and milder temperatures to North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 13–14.

“A coastal low will lift north along the Carolina coast through the weekend,” the National Weather Service office wrote in an area forecast discussion early Saturday, Oct. 11. “This system may bring rain to the North Carolina Piedmont and eastern Upstate late Saturday through Sunday as it passes by to our east. The low will continue to slowly track northeast along the Mid-Atlantic Coast early next week, with dry high pressure and above normal temperatures returning to the region.”

What is a nor’easter?

A nor’easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America that typically blow over coastal areas. These storms can occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most intense between September and April, according to the National Weather Service.

Nor’easters usually develop between Georgia and New Jersey, within about 100 miles of the coast, and generally move northeastward, reaching maximum intensity near New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. They often bring heavy precipitation — rain or snow — along with gale-force winds, rough seas and sometimes coastal flooding.

Potential impacts of the nor’easter in North Carolina

Heavy rain: Several inches of rain could fall, reducing visibility and creating localized flooding in coastal and low-lying areas.
Strong winds: Northeasterly gusts could reach 60 mph, especially near the coast, posing risks for power outages and downed trees.
Marine hazards: Seas of 6 to 8 feet are expected along exposed waters east of Cape Fear and Winyah Bay. A Gale Warning is in effect, and small craft operators are advised to remain in port.
Coastal flooding: Minor flooding is possible along beaches and low-lying areas — including downtown Wilmington and the lower Cape Fear River — as high tides combine with residual effects from last week’s full moon.
Rip currents: A high risk is in effect along New Hanover County beaches through the weekend.
Reduced visibility: Heavy rain and strong winds may create hazardous driving and boating conditions.

How much rain is expected? Rain forecast totals across the East Coast

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts several inches of rain in eastern North Carolina.

These are the estimated rainfall amounts for regions affected by the nor’easter on the East Coast through Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Eastern North Carolina to Southern Virginia:

2.5 to 5 inches
Core areas near the coast show even 5 to 7 inches

Mid-Atlantic Coast

3 to 5 inches, especially near the coast
Some isolated coastal pockets appear to approach 6+ inches

New York (Downstate and Long Island)

2 to 4 inches, heavier near the coast

Southern New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts)

2 to 4 inches, locally higher amounts possible near the southeast-facing coast

Eastern Pennsylvania & Upstate New York (east side)

1 to 2.5 inches, tapering westward

Coastal Southeast (South Carolina and Georgia):

1 to 3 inches, heaviest near the northern part of the South Carolina coast

Why is it called nor’easter?

It’s called a nor’easter because of the direction of the prevailing winds during the storm. In these systems, the winds along the coast usually blow from the northeast.

How do nor’easters develop?

The U.S. East Coast provides an ideal environment for nor’easters. In winter, the polar jet stream pushes cold Arctic air south across Canada and the U.S., then east toward the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Weather Service. At the same time, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic moves northward. The contrast between the cold land air and relatively warm coastal waters — kept mild by the Gulf Stream — fuels these storms, creating the strong winds and precipitation that define a Nor’easter.

Do Nor’easters always have snow?

No. Whether a nor’easter brings snow, rain, or a mix depends on the storm’s track and temperatures:

Snow: Most common in the northern Mid-Atlantic and New England when Arctic air dominates.
Rain: More likely in the Southeast and southern Mid-Atlantic, where temperatures are warmer.
Mixed precipitation: Possible in areas near the transition zone, with sleet or freezing rain.

Even without snow, Nor’easters can still produce strong winds, heavy rain, rough seas and coastal flooding, making them dangerous storms regardless of the type of precipitation.

How do they differ from tropical systems? Nor’easters vs. hurricanes and tropical storms

Nor’easters are typically associated with colder seasons and form from a temperature contrast between cold Arctic air and relatively warm Atlantic waters.

Tropical storms and hurricanes form over warm tropical or subtropical waters, and predominantly develop in warmer months.

Nor’easters also have a larger wind field, while tropical storms have a well-defined eye with the strongest winds near the center.

North Carolina weather radar

North Carolina weather watches and warnings

Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network.

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North Carolina

Pool company accused of not completing work sued by NC attorney general

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2025

Press Room

Pool company accused of not completing work sued by NC attorney general

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson took legal action Wednesday against a pool and spa sales and installation company accused of not completing work after taking large advance payments, his office said.

According to the Office of the North Carolina Attorney General, the complaint was filed against Backyard Leisure, LLC and its owner, Robert A. Mosher.

The North Carolina Department of Justice has received 53 complaints about the company since 2024, 21 of which remain unresolved as of the lawsuit, according to the attorney general’s office.

In October 2023, according to the attorney general’s office, a 71-year-old Stanfield homeowner paid the full price of $42,349 for a swim spa from Backyard Leisure. The company said the spa would be delivered in nine months, but has not done so as of the lawsuit. The homeowner also only received $100 when she asked for a full refund.

The attorney general’s office also said Backyard Leisure received $73,325 last September from a 60-year-old homeowner in Clayton for an inground pool. Although the company said the pool installation would be completed by February, only the fiberglass shell was installed and filled with water. Equipment needed to make the pool usable, such as the pump, ladders, and filters, was not installed and electrical work was not performed.

As of the lawsuit, according to the attorney general’s office, the pool remains unfinished and unusable.

The lawsuit alleges that Mosher and Backyard Leisure:

Collected full payments in advance, but failed to deliver swim spas and hot tubs and failed to install pool equipment
Did not pay subcontractors or the spa, hot tub, and pool equipment manufacturers
Lied to customers about the expected deliver and installation dates, as well as blaming the manufacturer for the delays
Subjected customers to an unfair arbitration clause after they signed a contract
Never refunded customers after promising to do so

Jackson’s office said he is seeking $520,000 in restitution for the affected customers.

“These customers saved up years of money to make a substantial investment in their homes and now they’re out tens of thousands of dollars with nothing to show for it,” Jackson said in a statement. “I’m taking this company to court because it lied to North Carolinians. We’re going to try to win their money back.”

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