As fall weather settles over North Carolina, one tradition continues to capture the hearts of the Piedmont Triad like no other: the Carolina Classic Fair. This year, the Carolina Classic Fair returns October 3 through 12, bringing 10 days of family-friendly fun, local pride, and long-lasting memories. The theme for 2025, “Barn to Be Wild,” celebrates the wild and lively sounds, sights, and flavors that bring smiles to over 230,000 guests each year.
Now entering its 143rd year, the Carolina Classic Fair is deeply rooted in Winston-Salem’s history. What started as a wheat exposition in 1882 has evolved into the second-largest agricultural fair in North Carolina. Through it all, the Fair has never forgotten its agricultural roots. Every day, guests can enjoy a variety of livestock shows featuring beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. Vibrant displays of produce and crops are also showcased, highlighting the pride and agricultural spirit of regional farmers.
Beyond agriculture, the Carolina Classic Fair is also a celebration of local talent, artistry, and creativity. Guests can participate in hundreds of Competitive Exhibit categories—from arts and crafts to photography to baked goods and more! These entries are displayed in the Fairgrounds Event Center and are sure to be a highlight of your visit.
Of course, no fair experience is complete without the sights, sounds, and smells that make it unforgettable. The Strates Midway comes alive with dazzling lights and scream-inducing rides like the Fireball 2000 and the Claw.
You can’t forget about one of the main attractions… food! Food lovers will find no shortage of indulgence. Whether you’re craving deep-fried Oreos, turkey legs, or the fan-favorite Amish donut, the Fair’s culinary offerings are as wild as its theme. Vendors serve up everything from traditional Moravian meals to pickle pizza to deep-fried banana pudding. The Carolina Classic Fair is a foodie’s haven, full of amazing eats from both local and traveling vendors.
From roaming stilt performers to acrobats and musical acts, entertainment at the Carolina Classic Fair is designed to surprise and delight across every inch of the grounds. At the U.S. Army Grandstand, you’ll find a different event every night, including concerts, rodeos, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, and a monster truck show. And the best part? All entertainment is free with your admission ticket!
As the sun sets each evening and the Midway lights start to shine, the Carolina Classic Fair becomes a place where time stops and long-lasting memories are made. The smell of funnel cakes wafts across the grounds, kids wave to their parents from the giant swings, and the Ferris wheel spins through the night. To end a perfect day at the Fair, grab one last treat and watch as fireworks light up the sky. Fireworks are launched nightly and can be seen from anywhere on the Fairgrounds.
For more information on all the wild foods, attractions, and experiences you can enjoy at the Fair this fall, visit carolinaclassicfair.com. The 143rd Carolina Classic Fair kicks off on Friday, October 3, and runs through Sunday, October 12.
