It's almost that time folks. On Thursday, Oct. 17, the NC State Fair will be back in action + hundreds of thousands will travel from across NC to attend. Can you believe that North Carolinians have celebrated this tradition since October of 1853?

Originally, the fair was held just two blocks south of New Bern Avenue, and the initial idea was created during an Agricultural Society meeting in 1850. It wasn't until 1852 when the society was revived that it was solidified with the aim of advancing farming techniques + the expansion of modernized manufacturing interest in NC. Over 150 years later and look at us now.

Enjoy the ride of the annual state fair | Photo by Ross Joyner

Deals and discounts

Get the best bang for your buck with these deals + plan your trip accordingly.

Wolfpack Day | Thursday, Oct. 17 | NC State students can attend for $8 with ID presented at the gate.
accessABILITY Day | Sunday, Oct. 20 | From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rides and other vendors will operate without flashing lights or sounds.
Senior Citizens' Day | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | Seniors 65 and older get free admission and complimentary Bojangles biscuits + coffee while supplies last.
Military Appreciation Day | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | Enjoy a parade honoring those who've served + military members pay $8 every day of the fair.
Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day | Thursday, Oct. 24 | Bring six cans of food and get in free.

Best days to attend

City Editor Danyale here; if you're anything like me, huge crowds aren't your thing. While the NC State Fair will likely see tens of thousands of attendees every day, some days are less crowded than others. According to previous years' attendance, Monday through Thursday are the least crowded.

Pro tip: If you're looking to take pictures on a Ferris wheel, the open-air one is the way to go. | Photo by RALtoday

Our fave fair activities

If you're like us, you find yourself doing the same thing at the fair every year, and while you might love your tried-and-true routine, here are some ideas for fun at the fair to get you out of your comfort zone.

City Editor Allie here. My absolute favorite activity at the fair each year is just looking around. For me, that means meeting artisans at the Village of Yesteryear, seeing any and every farm animal I can (the pigs, cows, and baby chicks are my favorite), and getting a birds-eye-view of the entire fair from the Ferris wheel.

City Editor Danyale here. What I love most about the fair are the creative foods and all the different deep fried dishes. Aside from eating, I enjoy playing games and winning prizes to cherish at home.

Here's a few more fair activities that aren't just rides, games, and eating your way through the fairgrounds.

Visit the botanical gardens and look through the flowers and arrangements vying for the blue ribbon.
Go through the student-submitted artwork at the Scott Building to see art from artists of all ages across the county.
Watch a tractor pull or motorsports show at the Grandstand and bring some earplugs.
Marvel at the giant produce, including literal tons of pumpkins, watermelons, and perfectly uniform sets of fruits + veggies.
Participate in the scavenger hunts + challenges to take your fair experience up a notch, including a selfie challenge and hunts for all ages.
Stick around for fireworks at 9:45 p.m. over the pond.