The North Carolina State Fair is being held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds from October 13-23, 2011. If you’ve been to the fair before, and even if you haven’t, one of the most talked about things is the food. This year, you can swing by the fair during the week to grab some lunch.
As a thank you to all the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces, a new military discount is now available. See all the details below and our previous post about new rides, food, and entertainment.
Weekday lunch pass program
Take your lunch break at the fair! Here’s how it works:
- Visit Gate 9 on Trinity Road or Gate 12 between the Education & Commercial Buildings only after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays. This offer is not valid at other gates or on weekends.
- Purchase a lunch card at the gate for $8 with cash (cash sales only).
- Buy your lunch from the many fair food vendors on site. Fair food vendors take cash. ATMs are available inside the fairgrounds. Search for food or a vendor location.
- Return the lunch card by 1:30 p.m. to the same gate you entered on the same day you purchased the card for a full $8 cash refund.
- If you leave later than 1:30 p.m., then you forfeit your $8. The card is only good on the day purchased. This program is only for adult admission.
New daily military discount
Another new feature this year is the daily military admission discount. For the past few years, the fair has offered free admission to active-duty members of the military on Military Appreciation Day. While the gesture was appreciated by service members, we were asked to consider changing the policy for two reasons. One, it’s hard for military families to get to Raleigh on a weekday, and two the policy did not include retired service members. So, we are changing the policy in response to these requests.
While we will no longer offer a free admission day, all current and former military service members – including active-duty, reserve, National Guard, retired and veteran personnel – can take advantage of of the new military admission price of $5 every day of the fair. That’s a savings of $3 off the regular adult admission price.
Military discount tickets are not available in advance or online. Instead, eligible fairgoers should present proof of military service at the gate on the day of their visit. Spouses and children over the age of 12 with their own military ID will also be eligible for the discount.
Read more about military appreciation day and the new military discount.