Last year marked the first time in 75 years that the North Carolina State Fair was canceled. But it’s back for 2021, and fair manager Kent Yelverton promises “it will be worth the wait.”
In fact, says Yelverton, “Worth the Wait” is the theme for the 2021 North Carolina State Fair. “The public, the vendors and the staff are all looking forward to the return of the fair,” he says. “While we were very pleased to have been able to still offer the junior livestock show and a takeout fair food event last October, everyone missed the opportunity to get together and fully celebrate agriculture. We’re excited that it will happen this year, and we’re ready to welcome everyone back to safely share the fun.”
Here are six great opportunities to learn more about agriculture and share the fun:
The N.C. State Fair Conservation Forest Building
More than half of North Carolina is covered in forestland, and this year’s fair will showcase that in the new N.C. State Fair Conservation Forest Building, a facility that will reflect the diversity of species found in our state forests. The building’s exterior will feature vertical poplar board-and-batten, and the interior vertical board-and-batten walls will include North Carolina native species. Inside, fairgoers will explore exhibits that focus on how to improve forest property with a woodland plan, how to keep invasive insects and plants from affecting our state, and what’s in the forest soil. Smokey Bear will even make an appearance.
“We’re proud that this building will be a visual representation of an important part of North Carolina’s natural resources and a symbol of that abundance,” Yelverton says. “It will be a great opportunity to educate the public about the forest industry, about water quality and these basic components of our ag industry.”
