You'll find the North Carolina State Fair each October in Raleigh, NC. It's a ten day event with lots of variety regardless of whether you prefer the games, rides, free entertainment, fireworks, carnival food, or just love to look at the cute animals that are brought in. When you come to visit the fair you'll find two hotels that are within walking distance of the fairgrounds, a Ramada Inn and Comfort Suites. However both of these hotels fill up fast so you may want to make reservations well in advance.

Food at the fair consists of a mixture of carnival flavors and southern comfort. You will not only find Carolina BBQ and Fried Catfish but you'll be ruining your sugar free diet on a snack of deep fried Candy Bar. Yes, an entire candy bar is frozen, dipped in batter and fried to golden goodness. On the fairgrounds there is also the Cinnamon Bun Saloon, which is rumored to have the best Cinnamon Buns and Hot Coffee at the fair.

If you like racing come check out the agriculturally influenced Circle C Racing Pigs. Several times daily at the Hogway Speedway you can watch racing potbelly pigs, waddling ducks, and pygmy goats heading round the race track.

The Village of Yesteryear is very popular amongst the fairgoers. There are usually more than 75 exhibits all demonstrating activities from the past. Craft artists not only display fine quilts, needlework and leatherwork, they sell it to interested fairgoers. Come watch artists spin wool into yarn, weave the yarn into cloth and make that cloth into useable objects. There is also a range o Native American pottery, beadwork and carvings.

Folk music is a big hit at this fair and the Folk Festival is a competition that runs the course of the entire fair. Musicians from all over come to the festival in order to compete for the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Trophy. The award is given to those persons who best represent North Carolina's musical heritage. You'll find bluegrass, square dancing and even clogging at this event.

While at the fair don't forget to check out the free fireworks every single night. Your kid's may feel left out if you don't head over to the Kiddieland Fun Park or stop and chat with on of the Mobile Robots that roam the fair.