Got to be NC Festival

I remember hearing about this festival last year and being so bummed that we couldn't go, so I was so glad we had the opportunity to stop by this year!


What it is: The Got to Be NC Festival to me is like a trip to a smaller version of the State Fair.  They had a midway with rides which you could purchase tickets for.  There was delicious state fair type food including the mini donuts we love so much and a new favorite find, organic chorizo sausages from Meadows Family Farms.  The tractor parade was absolutely entrancing to my almost-three year old, we had to sit and watch each antique tractor pass by.  They had pony rides and a free petting zoo.  For the adults they also had the NC Food and Wine Expo where you could sample all kinds of NC edibles.

What we liked:  As I said earlier, it has all the feel of the state fair without being so over the top and crowded.  We could actually park at the state fair parking and find a space easily, admission was FREE, and when we arrived, many of the rides and food stands had NO lines.  This was a state fair version that was perfect for the toddler crowd!

What we would change: It is definitely helpful to look at the website before you go to check out what's there because as with the state fair, it is hard to know where everything is.


Website and other important information:

Website: http://www.ncagfest.com/

Address: NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC

2011 Dates: May 20-22


Photos:

 (some of the antique tractors preparing for the parade)

 (the midway)

(greedy eaters at the petting zoo)