Thursday, October 17, 2024

Question: Where was the first North Carolina State Fair held?

Answer: The first North Carolina State Fair was held in October 1853 just south of New Bern Avenue between Davie and Hargett streets in Raleigh. The idea for the fair originated from a North Carolina State Agricultural Society meeting in December 1850.

In 1873, through assistance from the City of Raleigh, the Agricultural Society purchased a 55-acre tract on Hillsborough Street and moved the fair to that location.

In 1928, the fair moved one last time to its present location on Blue Ridge Road. The current site covers 344 acres and accommodates 400,000 square feet of building space.