Summary - 2026 NC State Fair

Nothing ushers in fall like the annual North Carolina State Fair that will take place from Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Visitors from all over North Carolina and beyond, will gather to celebrate what has become the ultimate family tradition. 174 years in the making, the fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend. The North Carolina State Fair is unparalleled, with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights. In 2025, we greeted 946,811 fairgoers over 11 days.

Non-members, Concessions and/or Commercial Vendors: If you are not a Got to Be NC member or are a Concession/Commercial Vendor please do NOT apply on this site. Click here to be redirected to the correct website. Applications are not interchangeable.

Got to Be NC Pavilion Information: The Got to Be NC Pavilion features products that are grown, raised, caught, and made in North Carolina by members of the Got to Be NC program. Members of the Got to Be NC program can apply for booth space so that they can sample and sell their products to consumers from across the state. The Got to Be NC Pavilion will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Dorton Arena Information: The Got to Be NC Pavilion is located inside the historic J.S. Dorton Arena. This iconic, domed structure offers a high-traffic location and a unique setting for showcasing North Carolina products. As a central attraction during the Fair, Dorton Arena provides excellent visibility and foot traffic for participating vendors. The Dorton Arena is not climate-controlled, and the floors are concrete.

Rules and Regulations: More details are provided in the rules and regulations found here.

Pavilion Eligibility: To exhibit in this section of the fair, applicants must have been a Got to Be NC member for at least one year and maintain an active listing on the Got to Be NC website. Food and beverage products must be market ready. Breweries and distilleries, as well as prepared foods (including sandwiches and entrées), are not eligible to participate in the Got to Be NC Pavilion during the North Carolina State Fair.

Limited Booth Space: The Got to Be NC program has over 3,000 members and available booth space for less than 35 member companies in the Got to Be NC Pavilion, making the selection process extremely competitive.

Samples and Supplies: Product sampling is required at the exhibitor’s discretion; however, charging for samples is not permitted. Exhibitors must bring all necessary supplies, as none will be available onsite. Samples must follow size limits: non-alcoholic beverages (2 oz. or less), wine (1 oz. or less), and food (one square inch or smaller, fitting in a one-inch condiment cup). Exhibitors are responsible for all sampling, cleaning, and load-in/load-out supplies, including serving items, sanitation materials, and basic equipment such as carts and signage tools.

Selection Procedure: Got to Be NC members must submit their application by the specified deadline, Friday, June 19, 2026. NCDA&CS staff will review each application and confirm your Got to Be NC membership as well as your listing in the Got to Be NC Find Local Directory.

The Got to Be NC Pavilion is a juried event (not a first-come, first-served) and applying does not guarantee acceptance. To maintain a diverse and balanced selection of products, NCDA&CS reserves the right to limit the number of exhibitors within the same product category and to decline applications that do not align with the event's exhibit criteria.

Application Confirmation: After you submit your booth application you will receive an automated confirmation number. This number confirms that your application for booth space has been received. It does not mean you have been approved for booth space.

Approved Got to Be NC Exhibitors: If approved for booth space, you will be notified via email in early July. The email will include a payment link, and payment must be completed within two business days to secure your space. A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is also required and must be submitted by July 10, 2026.

If approved for booth space, exhibitors may be required to obtain a Wake County Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) Permit and submit a Wake County tax report, depending on their product. Exhibitors may also be subject to inspection by the NCDA&CS Food and Drug Division, which may require a handwashing sink within the booth. All exhibitors are responsible for complying with permits, inspections, and tax reporting. Additional information and contact details are provided below.

We are pleased to introduce a new booth size option for this year’s event. In addition to our traditional 10'×10' (single) and 10'×20' (double) booths, exhibitors may now select a 10'×15' booth, offering added flexibility for those who need more space without committing to a full double booth.

Please note that booth pricing has been adjusted for this year. Like many events, we are experiencing increased production and operational costs, and rates have been updated to better reflect the true cost of delivering a high-quality event experience. These adjustments also help ensure we can continue to support the infrastructure, services, and promotion that make this event successful for our exhibitors. We understand that any price increase is significant, and we have worked carefully to keep rates as reasonable as possible while maintaining the standard and scale of the event.

Booth Hours: All booths must be open and staffed during all building hours, (9:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily). If an exhibitor does not adhere to this policy, they are subject to removal from the fair and will not be permitted to participate in other events such as the Mountain State Fair, the Got to Be NC Festival and Flavors of Carolina.

No refunds will be provided to exhibitors that do not adhere to the rules and regulations.

ADDITIONAL TABLES AND STOOLS
If you wish to order additional front tables or stools, you must do so directly through Southern Exhibition Services (SES). Contact information will be provided once your exhibit space is approved. The back table is not provided by SES, and you will not be given any credit or discount if you choose not to use this table.

ADDITIONAL FAIR ADMISSION TICKETS:
We understand that Fair days can be long and that you may require extra admission tickets. Please keep this potential expense in mind before applying. If additional tickets are needed, they must be purchased separately. Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended, as it can help reduce costs.

ADDITIONAL PARKING OPTIONS ANS SHUTTLES:
The North Carolina State Fair offers free off-site parking. If you need additional parking options, direct your staff to the Bandwidth Parking/Dogwood Lot and/or the HWY 54/Cardinal Lot as both lots offer complimentary parking and provide free shuttles to the fairgrounds. Shuttles will run continuously but it is recommended to allow at least thirty minutes for pick-up, security clearance at the gate, and walking to the Dorton Arena.

BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS/BOOTH SHARING:
Booth assignments are made to ensure a variety of products in each aisle. While we strive to separate similar products, this is not always possible. Returning exhibitors are not guaranteed the same booth location as in previous years. We do not accept requests for specific booth locations or requests to change booth locations. Booth assignments will be given onsite at registration check-in. Booth sharing is not permitted.

EXAMPLE COI 2026 NC STATE FAIR

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE (COI): All approved exhibitors must submit a current Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI) for General Liability coverage. The policy must provide a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit per occurrence and must be issued by an insurance company licensed to operate in North Carolina. NCDA&CS must be listed as an Additional Insured on the COI. The required address to be listed on the certificate is 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Even if you have recently submitted a COI for the Got to Be NC Festival, you are required to submit an updated COI that includes the revised Description of Operations.

ONLY APPROVED EXHIBITORS SHOULD SUBMIT A COI.

COI SUBMISSION: COI's must be emailed to Brenna Favara@ncagr.gov no later than July 10, 2026. Please ensure your COI matches the example before submitting or it will be rejected.