The 2018 North Carolina State Fair overcame a one-day delay and nearly topped 1 million in attendance.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a news release the 10-day event attracted 977,256 people, including record attendance on Friday and Sunday.
On Friday, the fair set an attendance day record of 109,396. On Sunday, the final day, the fair set a record for the day with 130,319 patrons.
The start of the fair was delayed as the remnants of Hurricane Michael rolled through the state.
The annual Junior Livestock Sale of Champions brought in a record $284,000 for the youth showing the animals and for livestock scholarship programs. The fair also brought in 230,813 pounds of food on Hunger Relief Day.
Related Stories
‹

Nearly 1-Ton Pumpkin Sets Record at North Carolina Fair
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The record-setting pumpkin at this year’s North Carolina State Fair can make a lot of pies. A news release from the fair on Thursday says Chris Rodebaugh of Lewisburg, West Virginia, set a record with a 1,965.5-pound pumpkin. That’s short of the world record of 2,703 pounds (1,226 kg) set […]
Dietician's Nightmare: NC State Fair Announces 2019 Menu
The North Carolina State Fair, where diets meet their demise, has released its belly-busting menu for 2019, and it includes some new concoctions. About two dozen creations have made the list for the first time. One vendor is offering a red velvet funnel cake topped with cheese and enchilada sauces. Another will sell a jalapeno pepper stuffed […]
Hurricane Michael Delays NC State Fair Opening to Friday
One of the country’s largest state fairs is delaying its start as the remnants of Hurricane Michael pass through North Carolina. North Carolina State Fair manager Kent Yelverton said Wednesday the event won’t open as planned on Thursday. Yelverton says the fair will instead open Friday morning and run for 10 days instead of 11. […]
NC State Fair to Provide Preview of Fried Food Fare
If you’re hankering for a Krispy Kreme burger or deep-fried Oreos and just can’t wait for the North Carolina State Fair to open next month, here’s a temporary fix. The News & Observer of Raleigh reports fair officials are holding their first “Taste of the State Fair” in four cities across central and eastern North Carolina […]

On the Porch: Terri Mitchell - Mentoring Women in Tech
This Week:
Terri Mitchell is the founder of Accelerate Success, a program to help women develop the confidence, skills, and networks needed to thrive in STEM careers. She is a former IBM executive with more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry. Starting as a graduate of Le Moyne College with a degree in Computer Science, she held leadership roles across hardware, software, and systems businesses, culminating in her role as Vice President and IBM Integration Executive. Following her retirement from IBM in 2018, Terri became a founding member of Triangle Women in STEM and began the Accelerate Success program.

On the Porch: Carl Nordgren - Creativity Can Unite US
This Week:
Carl Nordgren is a best-selling novelist, a teacher, and an imaginal cell. After 25 years as an entrepreneur, he taught Creativity at Duke for 14 years. He’s a two-time TEDx speaker and hosts the weekly radio show ‘Exploring your Creative Genius’ on 97.9 The Hill. His calling is to help each of us and all of us grow our creative capacities and develop our entrepreneurial instincts and behaviors, a calling that informed his book "Becoming a Creative Genius (again)". His new book, "Common Ground for US" continues that work and offers new perspectives on governance and policy making for political and community leaders. You can attend his book launch event at Golden Fig Books in Carrboro on June 4, by clicking the show title above.

On the Porch: Tiffany Muller - End Citizens United
This Week:
Tiffany Muller is the President of End Citizens United. She has helped grow the group into a nationwide organization with more than 4 million members and 1 million grassroots donors. Before leading End Citizens United, Tiffany was Deputy Political Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, where she worked with top Senate races. She also served as chief of staff to two members of Congress, ran a political research firm, and was Vice President of Political Operations at the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. As a member of the Topeka City Council, she led successful efforts to expand anti-discrimination protections.
Anderson Clayton on N.C. Democratic Party's General Election Preparation — On Air Today (May 20, 2026)
Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party Anderson Clayton joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, May 20.

Rep. Allen Buansi Shares Details on Bill for Millionaire Tax to Fund Public Schools
The District 56 representative joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss the bill he's co-sponsoring to explore new ways for funding public schools.

On the Porch: Graig Meyer - NC Justice Center
This Week:
Graig Meyer is the Executive Director of the NC Justice Center where he will continue to "prioritize decisions and policies that make our state safer, healthier, more fair, and more prosperous". Meyer brings more than a decade of leadership in the North Carolina General Assembly, where he served in the House of Representatives beginning in 2013 and most recently in the State Senate representing Orange, Person, and Caswell Counties. Throughout his legislative career, Meyer championed strong public education, access to health care, economic opportunity for working families, and policies that strengthen communities across the state. Before entering public office, Graig spent sixteen years working in North Carolina’s public schools. A trained social worker and longtime public-school advocate, Graig has focused his public service on helping families connect to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
›