Carnival & Fair News

Weather proved mostly ideal for the North Carolina State Fair, but attendance saw a slight decline. Spending was also down, largely in line with attendance. Fairs held in October felt the effects of the government shutdown. While essential services continued and the show went on, prolonged national government disruptions created economic uncertainty. Inflation, rising unemployment, tariff conflicts, layoffs, furloughs, and broader federal instability all contributed to pressure on large autumn fairs.

Concerns about disposable income reduced turnout at the annual celebration of all things Tar Heel by a few percentage points, though the fair remained robust overall.

“We had a good fair this year. The weather cooperated. Visitors, exhibitors, and vendors all seemed pleased," said Kent Yelverton, Fair Manager of the North Carolina State Fair.

Attendance Decline

Noting a 5.2 percent drop in attendance, Yelverton added, “A dip in consumer confidence likely contributed to the decline. Inflation also played a role. Vendors reported that spending remained strong among those who attended.”

The N.C. State Fair reached 946,811 in attendance. During the 11-day run, Monday and Tuesday were both strong, posting the second-largest Monday and the third-largest Tuesday on record, according to the fair's official press release.  The fair ranked number 15 on CarnivalWarehouse.com's Top 50 Attended Fairs in 2025 list.

“It's been a very strong year, and we are happy with that. A lot of attention gets focused on attendance figures, and we do want to see strong numbers, but that is not the only measure of success. Across the fairgrounds we saw a lot of smiles and happy people. That makes all the hard work worthwhile every day and every year, " said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

Weather was mostly cooperative, helping create an upbeat atmosphere that offered a welcome break from negative headlines.

“We closed early one night due to wind,” said Yelverton. “Otherwise, there were no weather impacts and temperatures were comfortable. The overall vibe was positive and fun. For those in attendance, attitudes seemed as optimistic as in the past two years, although some decline in optimism was reflected in attendance.”

Fairgoer attitudes were also affected by ongoing complaints about parking and traffic. The 344-acre fairgrounds sit in Raleigh, one of the Southeast's fastest-growing cities. Growth has brought more nearby venues, and on some nights, as many as four facilities hosted sold-out concerts, adding tens of thousands of vehicles to the same roads used by fairgoers. Compounding the issue, Blue Ridge Road was closed for construction that had been expected to finish before the fair.

“There were some traffic and parking concerns related to concerts in an adjacent arena for four nights,” said Yelverton. “Overall revenue will reflect the decline in attendance, affecting both admission and carnival revenue.”

As the saying goes, all politics are local, and few issues generate more frustration than traffic congestion. Even Commissioner Troxler addressed the issue, saying he hoped road construction would be completed soon and that future scheduling conflicts could be avoided.

Powers Midway

The 90-ride midway, presented by Powers Great American Midways, bore much of the impact from both high winds and traffic challenges. While winds forced an early closure one night, the midway effectively lost an entire day of business. Traffic congestion also reached significant levels.

“There were four concerts going on right down the road, and they use the same parking lots. I had to take one of my guys across the street from the fair, and it took an hour and a half rerouting everything. That turned people off," said Corky Powers of Powers Great American Midways.

The midway featured 89 rides, comparable to previous years, including two new thrill rides: Loop Fighter (Flip Side) and X Drive (Colossus). The fair represents the largest stop on the Powers route, effectively operating as four midways with 30 food vendors and 15 game operators.

“We have the space, so we really fill the fairgrounds with rides, and when there's volume, we can accommodate it,” said Powers. “It's a very good fair, but people were holding back this year.”

One indication of softer spending was increased response to price promotions.

“We have all tried to keep prices down, but there is more bargain hunting. People are watching the news and realizing the economy may not be strong. I've been hearing the same from other carnivals at other fairs.”

In addition to the midway, the fair featured several popular attractions.

“Our paid attractions included four tractor pulls and three demolition derby and monster truck shows with quad racing,” Yelverton said. “Each drew between 2,500 and 4,000 spectators. Among free entertainment, The Birdman Show and The Red Trousers drew the strongest crowds.”

Other highlights included $214,830 raised through the livestock scholarship program and 27,000 general and livestock entries, returning to normal levels after Hurricane Helene reduced participation in 2024. Smithfield Hunger Relief Day collected enough food for approximately 150,000 meals, or 16 tractor-trailer loads. The Giant Pumpkin competition also set a new record at 2,244.5 pounds.

Fair Cuisine

The fair featured 204 food vendors. Alongside staples such as funnel cakes, turkey legs, and corn dogs, top sellers included “Jerk Pork Belly Bao,” according to Yelverton.

New items that became fan favorites included “Cowgirl Bites,” described as pimento cheese and pork barbecue balls that are battered, deep-fried, and drizzled with sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.

The fair's marketing tagline leaned into fear of missing out with the phrase, “There's no time like fair time.”

According to Yelverton, the tagline had been considered in previous campaigns but resonated particularly well this year.

“It had been on a list of possibilities for a couple of years,” he said. “The idea is that fair time means something different to everyone, but whatever it is, it only comes once a year. It is something to look forward to.”

The marketing budget remained at $320,000, unchanged from 2024. Media allocation also stayed consistent, with 20 percent radio, 75 percent digital and social, and 5 percent television.

“We did increase our social media presence, mainly due to additional sponsorship-related posts and promotions,” he added.

The slight decline in attendance was taken in stride. Overall, the fair maintained its growth trajectory in a region experiencing steady economic expansion.

“This year's fair met my expectations,” said Yelverton. “The fair was a success by all measures. Our planning worked, people came and enjoyed the fair, economic opportunity was created, participants showcased their talents, and visitors experienced agriculture in action.”