In recent years the Got To Be NC Festival has become one of the most loved and best attended agriculture events in the state. The three-day festival, May 18-20, is sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with the express intention of highlighting farm products grown and raised in the state, while also providing a good time for all with musical performances, carnival rides, exhibitions and much more. It is held at the N.C. Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Some of the events that are the most enjoyed return each year. These are repeat events like the petting zoo, the pig races and border collie herding. Keeping in step with the farm theme, attendees certainly want to see Rocky the Trick Mule, who performs on the fairgrounds all three days of the show near the Holshouser Building. There is also a Daily Tractor Parade across the fairgrounds.
SPEEDY MOWERS: A popular event in past Got To Be NC Festivals has been a riding lawnmower race. This year a lawnmower pull competition on Sunday will replace the races in the Grandstand area. On Friday draft horse pulls and on Saturday tractor pulls will provide thrills for the audiences. Grandstand events are free.
The Barnyard Heritage Program in the Agri-Plaza, located between the Graham and Expo Buildings, and the Carolina FiberFest, featuring the age-old crafts of cloth making and weaving, again focus on the traditions of farming that have been important in our past and will continue to be important to our futures.
The excitement is non-stop with draft horse pulls, tractor pulls and even garden tractor and lawnmower pulls. Those who have an interest in woodworking can find Heritage Woodworking at the Agri-Plaza. Storytelling will also be featured at this site.
The Shriners have their Shriner's Fish Fry all three days of the show and the N.C. Masons (40 teams of them, no less) will host their N.C Pig Jig, and offer the barbecue they cook for sale. There is a Food & Wine Expo with a $2 admission, featuring N.C. food and Wine companies. This is held at the new Expo Building, across from the Jim Graham Building.
Some of the entertainment events at the Dorton Arena carry ticket charges, Friday and Saturday nights. . The Trans Jam BMX Tournament, 11 a.m. to 9 pm. on Sunday, is free.
In addition to the festival, the fairground's traditional Flea Market and the Chatlee Marine Boat Show in the Scott Building will also be open as usual.
SPEEDY MOWERS:
A popular event in past Got To Be NC Festivals has been a riding lawnmower race. This year a lawnmower pull competition on Sunday will replace the races in the Grandstand area. On Friday draft horse pulls and on Saturday tractor pulls will provide thrills for the audiences. Grandstand events are free.
RIDES FOR ANIMAL LOVERS:
You can be sure that, with its agricultural focus, the Got To Be NC festival will feature lots of animals of all kinds, whether for rides, at events, or at the petting zoo.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO:
There is no shortage of interesting scenes at the festival, particularly Ii you like to shop or eat.
CELEBRITIES ON HAND:
N.C. Commission of Agriculture Steve Troxler is one of the biggest fans of the festival – and of antique tractors. Here he drives around a 1943 John Deere tractor that he restored. The festival has one of the largest displays of antique tractors you'll see anywhere.
THE MIDWAY:
The festival has something fun to do for everyone in the family.
THEY DON'T BUILD THEM LIKE THIS ANYMORE:
THEY DON'T BUILD THEM LIKE THIS ANYMORE: Antique cars on display may not have had all the luxuries that today's cars have, but our ancestors used them for all kinds of tasks. This one is still providing enjoyment after many years of service
THE 'WAY BACK MACHINE':
At a previous festival, this 1922 A.D. Baker steam tractor, owned by Ken and Patti Eder of Carthage, N.C., gave all those who saw it a bit of a history lesson
THRILLS, NO SPILLS:
Carnival rides at the festival provide safe thrills for anyone who plunks down the ticket price and has the nerve to ride them.