The N.C. State Fair is next month, but you don't have to wait until then to enjoy some deep fried fair favorites.
The second annual Taste of the State Fair, which offers a chance for people to purchase advance tickets and get samples of fair food, stops in Durham and Raleigh this weekend.
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Taste of the State Fair will be at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, the event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Raleigh Flea Market at the Fairgrounds near the State Fair Flyer, and then at the Midtown Bluegrass Series at North Hills from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.
At each event, FastTrack Gate Admission tickets will be sold. The tickets, which are a few dollars cheaper in advance, allow guests to skip the ticketing line at the N.C. State Fair. FastTrack tickets are available for purchase in person until Oct. 17. FastTrack tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12 years old. Those prices go up to $13 for adults and $7 for children on Oct. 17. Online only prices are $13 for adults and $7 for children from Oct. 12-21.
Those purchasing FastTrack tickets at Taste of the State Fair events will get a free taste of one of the deep fried treats available, including fried mac-n-cheese and fried Oreos.
In addition to admission tickets, the fair is also offering advance ride tickets and unlimited ride wristbands. Ride ticket sheets are on sale for $10 per sheet of 18 tickets. Those prices go up when the fair opens to $1 per ticket or $18 for a sheet of 18 tickets online. Unlimited ride wristbands are $25 in advance and $35 once the fair starts. Ride sheets and wristbands are not valid for the State Fair Flyer or State Fair SkyGazer, which each require special tickets.
In advance, State Fair Flyer tickets are $4 for one-way and $7 for round trip. Prices go up by $1 once the fair opens. Tickets for the SkyGazer, the fair's new 155-foot Ferris Wheel, will set you back $6 per ride in advance and $7 if you wait until the gates for the fair open.
The N.C. State Fair will be held Oct. 17-27 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.