Tag Archive for: #gottobencfestival

‘Got To Be NC’ Festival A Great Spot To Display – And View – Antique Farm Equipment

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If that old tractor that your granddaddy used all those years ago still runs, whether it’s that special shade of green or red or blue, there may be a spot for it during the upcoming Got to Be NC Festival later this spring.

Festival organizers say there’s still space for those farm-equipment items that hobbyists and others can display during the festival, scheduled to take place May 19-21 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

Organizers are on the hunt for collectors of antique tractors and farm equipment to join a display of more than 1,000 pieces of machinery. Tractors in working order also can participate in the daily tractor parade through the fairgrounds. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required.

There also are booth spaces available for N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Got to Be NC members, independent vendors and concessionaires at the festival. Applications for all vendor locations are due by April 1.

The Got to Be NC Festival is a family-friendly event that highlights the best of North Carolina agriculture. Visitors can roam through the antique farm equipment, sample and purchase locally made products at the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace, enjoy the excitement of the carnival and relax to live music on an outdoor stage.

Registration forms and vendor applications are online at https://www.gottobencfestival.com/Vendors.htm

 

Got To Be NC Festival Set For May 20-22 At State Fairgrounds

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Planning is underway for the 2022 Got to Be NC Festival and registration is open now for commercial vendors and homegrown marketplace vendors to participate in the three-day event coming up in May.

The annual event will be held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh from May 20-22. It will feature food, wine and beer from across the state, according to information from the N.C. Department of Agriculture.

The festival also will feature one of the largest displays of antique tractors and farm equipment in the Southeast, and organizers are looking for tractor collectors and clubs to be part of the event. Plans include a daily tractor parade through the fairgrounds for tractors in working order. Participation is free and open to individuals and clubs, but pre-registration is required. Contact Pat Short at 336.706.9796 to register or for questions. National farm broadcaster Max Armstrong will be on hand to announce the Sunday, May 22, tractor parade lineup.

Food concessionaires, commercial vendors and organizations interested in exhibiting at the festival have until March 1 to complete their application at ncstatefair.org. For more information, contact Letrice Midgett, commercial space administrator, at 919-839-4502 or email at Letrice.Midgett@ncagr.gov or phone her at 919.839.4502.

April 1 is the deadline for North Carolina-based food and beverage companies to register for the festival. Prospective vendors must be members of the Got to Be NC marketing program. Got to Be NC program members should contact Sherry Barefoot at sherry.barefoot@ncagr.gov with questions.

Registration forms and vendor applications for the Homegrown Marketplace are available at https://gottobenc.com/event/gtbnc-festival/.

Got to Be NC Festival offers agricultural fun May 19-21

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RALEIGH – The Got to Be NC Festival, a family-friendly celebration of agriculture, food and fun, returns to the N.C. State Fairgrounds May 19-21.

“The Got to Be NC Festival offers something for everyone, including farm animals, antique tractors, bluegrass competitions and a barbecue cook-off,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We encourage everyone to come celebrate the state’s $84 billion agriculture industry as we kick off the start of the growing season.”

One of the festival’s highlights is the Homegrown Fare presented by Lowes Foods. Visitors can sample and purchase food, wine and beer from about 100 N.C. companies in the Expo Building. Admission is $3 for ages 12 and older, but guests can receive two free admission tickets by presenting their Lowes Foods loyalty card at the door.

This year, the Got to Be NC Festival will have an expanded music lineup inside Dorton Arena, featuring 11 free musical acts from North Carolina. On Saturday, May 20, bluegrass fans can enjoy the Carolina Bluegrass Battle from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The competition will include eight local bluegrass bands vying for prize money and a chance to perform at the N.C. State Fair and PreddyFest 2017. The contest will be hosted by The Church Sisters, who also will give two special performances before and after the competition.

Also on Saturday, Masonic lodges from across the nation will take part in the annual Carolina Pig Jig barbecue cook-off. Starting at 11 a.m., visitors can sample barbecue, chicken and side dishes, and place their vote for the People’s Choice award. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children 7-11, and free for children under 7. All proceeds benefit the Masonic homes for children in Oxford.

The festival also includes one of the largest displays of antique tractors and farm equipment in the Southeast. Guests can see the antique tractors in action during the tractor parade daily at 1 p.m. In addition, visitors can see farm animals ranging from baby chickens and goats to longhorn steers and alpacas.

Other attractions include more than 30 carnival rides and games for all ages. Tickets are available for $1 each, 14 tickets for $12, or 30 tickets for $20. On Friday and Sunday, visitors can take advantage of a special Ride All Day Wristband for $20.

New attractions include the Pig Patch Birthing Center, with daily pig births beside the midway; the State Fair Flyer, a chairlift ride that debuted at the 2016 N.C. State Fair and offers panoramic views of the fairgrounds; original sand sculptures by artist Ed Moore; Kids’ Tractor Pedal Pulls on Friday and Saturday in the grandstand; the Bulldozer Sandbox featuring construction demonstrations with working excavators and bulldozers; and more.

Admission and parking at the festival are free, but certain attractions have a separate admission charge. Gates are open Friday from noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.gottobencfestival.com.