In 1853, North Carolina held it's first State Fair; at a different location as to what is is currently. The event was held by the State Agricultural Society. The attendance was around 4,000 fairgoers. The State Fair has had three different locations and then settling at it's current home in Raleigh, in 1928. It has been celebrated continuously since 1853, with the exceptions of 1861 to 1869 during the Civil War and Reconstruction, 1926 to 1927 when the Agricultural Society disbanded and the state Agriculture Department took over operations, and 1942 to 1945 during World War II.
The attendance of the State Fair has been fluctuating ever since the fair started. In 1986, the total attendance was 638,776. The lowest year that the State Fair was held was in 1997, the attendance was 634,140. In 2010, the attendance broke a record for 1,091,887. Orange High School has had their part in the North Carolina State Fair involving Agriculture, with students in Ag bringing their pigs, goats, etc; to compete at the state fair. We have brought back many awards and numerous first place trophies. The students seem to always enjoy the environment and the fairgoers seem to enjoy our Orange High Students.
This year however, the rules have changed. Any handguns or firearms were prohibited on the State Fairgrounds, which caused a conflict with people. So much, that three people were reportedly robbed at gunpoint Saturday leaving the North Carolina State Fair. A police officer patrolling the state fair stated “ I think the Judge made a mistake, by doing what they wanted, they got what they planned to avoid, violence.”
“The attendance may be lower than the past years, but it doesn't take away the annual fair goers experience.” A vendor employee told WRAL, “The fair will still be held, no matter what. There is people out there that come not just for the food or the rides in particular, but the atmosphere has an amazing feeling.”
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