NC State Fair 2018: How To Get Tickets, New Dizzy Pass

RALEIGH, NC — If you need a quick reminder that these sticky, muggy dog days of summer will eventually end, we’ve got one for you. The Tar Heel State’s annual 11-day fall pagenty of all things whirly, glitzy and fried will kick off in Raleigh less than three months. Yes, folks, it's almost time for the 2018 North Carolina State Fair, and tickets are now on sale.

This year’s fair, which runs Oct. 11 through Oct., 21, marks the 151th anniversary of the state fair held annually to promote the state's artisans and agriculture.

“Buying in advance can save you up to 45 percent off prices once you arrive at the fair,” said Kent Yelverton, state fair manager. “It is truly the most economical way to visit – especially if you’re bringing the whole family.”

Ticket Information

• The new Dizzy Pass package includes a FastTrack gate admission ticket and the popular one-price, ride-all-day wristband for $31.
• If you’re traveling with kids, the Casey’s Family 4-Pack has four FastTrack tickets, two ride sheets and one Casey Cardinal plush doll for $50.
• Another new addition is the Kegs and Corks Pass, which includes one FastTrack ticket, one Our State Public House admission ticket and your choice of either two N.C. craft beer samples or two N.C. wines for $15.
• Advance adult admission tickets for groups of 40 or more are $6.
• The children’s group ticket rate is $2.
• Children 5 and under and adults 65 and over get in free.
• Members of the military with proper ID can purchase tickets at the gate any day for $6.
• An 18-ticket ride sheet is $10 in advance, saving fairgoers $8 off the regular price and an unlimited ride wristband is just $25, saving $10 off the regular price.

Tickets go on sale Aug. 1 and may be purchased here.

Getting to there by train
Fair attendees from the Charlotte area can easily get to the fairgrounds by train thanks to a special stop Amtrak will be using outside Gate 1.

To ride an Amtrak train to the fairgrounds from Charlotte:

• Take the Carolinian 80 from Charlotte at 7 a.m., Kannapolis at 7:25 a.m. or Salisbury at 7:43 a.m. The train makes stops in High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham and Cary before arriving at the fairgrounds at 10:25 a.m.
• To return home, take the Carolinian 79 from the State Fairgrounds stop at 5:16 p.m, arriving in Salisbury at 7:55 p.m., Kannapolis at 8:12 p.m., and Charlotte at 8:44 p.m.

To book a train ticket online, use the station code NSF. You can find Amtrak's daily train schedules for the Carolinian route here.

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Photo by Patch Editor Kimberly Johnson