The North Carolina State Fair, a major annual event that attracts nearly a million visitors, is currently underway, running through to Sunday, October 25. Attendees are being advised to plan ahead for potential traffic disruptions around event venues and can be reassured by comprehensive food safety measures.
Traffic Warnings for Fair Attendees
Guests attending events at the Lenovo Center during the N.C. State Fair are urged to anticipate significant traffic and plan to arrive early. Staff at the Lenovo Center specifically advised those going to the Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) concert on Wednesday at 8 p.m. and the NC State Men’s Basketball game against Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday at noon to allow extra travel time and consider carpooling. Fair traffic is expected to cause delays throughout the week in areas including Trinity Road, Wade Avenue, Blue Ridge Road, and Hurricanes Highway (Edwards Mill Road), according to WRAL.
To accommodate event-goers, Lenovo Center parking lots will open four hours prior to each event on Wednesday and Saturday, and these spaces are reserved exclusively for event attendees on those specific days. The Carolina Hurricanes ice hockey game on Tuesday, October 27, will not be affected by fair traffic as the event concludes before then.
Rigorous Food Safety Inspections
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, Wake County food inspectors conduct thorough food safety checks across the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Inspectors evaluated approximately 155 food stands, food trucks, and tents between Monday, October 12, and Thursday, October 15, which was opening day, before the fair’s gates officially opened.
Every food vendor must successfully pass these health and safety checks to receive the temporary permit required to serve food to the public. The Wake County team focuses on several key areas during inspections: ensuring food is stored at correct temperatures, checking that equipment used for food handling is clean and functioning properly, verifying that booths, food tents, and trucks are sanitary, and confirming that food handlers follow proper hygiene practices. These precautions are implemented to protect the community from foodborne illnesses, as stated by the Wake County Government.
Don Mial, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, commented, "When visitors take that first bite, they can feel confident knowing our inspectors have done their part." Wake County has also provided resources, including a guide and a dedicated phone line (919-664-7700), to assist N.C. State Fair vendors with the application process for Temporary Food Establishment permits.
