Entertainment

Crowd size smaller, festivities just as fun during opening days of State Fair

The North Carolina State Fair entered its first weekend after the annual event was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted Updated

By
Aaron Thomas
, WRAL reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina State Fair entered its first weekend after the annual event was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers say they’ve noticed a drop in attendance and even a dip in advance ticket sale numbers amid the pandemic, inflation and other factors. Officials are wondering if this weekend’s numbers will come close to attendance figures from previous years.

However, it was undeniable to fairgoers that the anticipated sights and sounds of the N.C. State Fair are back. The buzz and excitement was still palpable.

"It feels great, we missed it last year," said Jessica Proctor.

Proctor was glad to take part in a tradition she’s held for the past four years.

"Every year we like to get a caricature done," she said. "We didn’t get that done last year so we are excited."

So far, there’s a noticeable difference in crowd size. A look at this year’s fair attendance numbers compared to previous years illustrates that.

More than 56,000 people attended the fair on Friday night, which is the lowest figure since 2015, when 90,954 people attended on the same day.

The fair saw its highest attendance over the weekend in 2010 with nearly 132,000 people showing up on Saturday and more than 112,000 people the following Sunday.

Proctor said she prepared in advance for large crowds this weekend.

"We decided to come earlier this time just to avoid a lot of the crowds," Proctor said. "This year is not as bad, but we’re also coming early to avoid a lot of that."

The 10-year average on Saturday is roughly 135,000.

Fair spokeswoman Heather Overton said the fair gives North Carolinians a feel for fall fun.

"It feels great to be back and obviously last year we weren’t here and it feels good," Overton said. "This is what the fair is all about. The people are here. They are having a great time. We’re having a great fair. It's going to continue for the rest of the week."

On Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon, there will be rides, games, and vendors operating with no lights or music playing for a sensory-friendly event. Organizers said it’s their way of being inclusive to all guests.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.