We have details on the 4 new rides coming to the NC State Fair this year
The NC State Fair announced four new rides for this fair season, joining the familiar favorites on the Midway.
New rides at the 2023 NC State Fair
Venetian Carousel: The NC State Fair describes this two-tiered carousel ride as “elegantly beautiful.”
Minimum height: 32” tall with adult; 42” if alone
Tickets required: Five
Tesla AC: This ride is capped off with six brightly lit lightning bolts hovering above two-person cars that attach to spinning and dipping arms.
Minimum height: 52” tall
Tickets required: Eight
Techno Jump: Riders spin in a circle while the arms of the ride rise and fall in different rhythmic sequences.
Minimum height: 48” tall to ride alone, or 42” with a riding adult
Tickets required: Eight
Wipeout: Riders face outward around the center orb as the ride churns in different directions, rocking and rolling like ocean waves.
Minimum height: 47” tall
Tickets required: Five
How to get on rides at the NC State Fair
Midway rides, which include the four new rides listed above, require tickets — most take five or six each.
You can purchase these tickets online (and at a discount) before the fair, or you can buy them in-person when you arrive for the fun.
There’s big news about ride tickets this year: A brand new ride ticket card will allow Midway riders to digitize their ticketing and carry over unused tickets into future years.
Here’s what to know about buying tickets for Midway rides:
• Ride ticket cards are new in 2023 and take the place of the ride ticket sheets the fair has used for years.
Now, tickets will be placed on a chipped card, which needs to be presented at each ride and automatically debited the ticket count for that ride.
These cards will now carry over from year to year, letting you save unused tickets for next year’s fair.
“The fact that the unused tickets will carry over year and year is big news. We have had people wanting this for years,” assistant communications director Heather Overton said.
Ride ticket cards are $10 for 18 ride tickets bought online by Oct. 12, then they’re $1 per ticket at Ride Ticket Plazas (or $18 for 18 bought online) Oct. 13 and beyond.
When the fair begins, ride ticket cards will be available online and in person at Ride Ticket Plazas. (More on those below.)
• Ride wristbands are $30 per wristband when bought online by Oct. 12, then they’re $40 per wristband Oct. 13 and beyond, whether purchasing online or at carnival booths in person. Wristbands are valid only for one day during the Fair.
To redeem your ride ticket cards and unlimited ticket wristbands at the Fair, head to the Ride Redemption Plazas. These tents are neon green with stars on them. The Ride Redemption Plazas are located near Gates 7, 8 and 9 or in front of Dorton Arena. They’ll be open Thursday, Oct. 13 from 12 to 10 p.m., then daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(Details: ncstatefair.org/2023/Visitor/Tickets.htm)
All rides at the NC State Fair
There are dozens of rides at the NC State Fair. There are children’s rides with maximum height requirements, thrill rides with minimum height requirements, some rides that allow shorter riders to enjoy it with a taller adult and immersive experiences.
For a full list of ticket and height requirements, visit ncstatefair.org/2023/Attractions.
Note: Two rides require separate tickets, as they are not included with the unlimited wristband nor the ticket card.
• The State Fair Flyer is a seven-minute chair lift (or 14 minutes round-trip). It costs $6 to ride the Flyer one-way or $9 round-trip if tickets are bought in advance. It costs $7 one-way or $10 round-trip at the Fair.
• The State Fair Skygazer is the 155-foot Ferris wheel. It costs $6 with tickets bought in advance of $7 at the Fair.
What else is new at the fair this year?
The NC State Fair also announced new “free ground acts” for 2023. From the fair:
▪ The Birdman: World Class Bird Shows will perform daily near Gate 7 in the State Fair Conservation Forest behind Heritage Circle. These educational and conservation minded shows seek to highlight the relationship between humans and animals and showcase the natural abilities of the bird stars.
▪ Melody Farm Follies: An animatronic theater show featuring Rocky Broccoli and his veggie friends plus a singing and dancing scarecrow. Catch at daily show in the breezeway between the Agri Supply Expo Center and the Graham Building.
▪ Fair favorites Rock-It the Robot and Dale Jones, the one-handed juggler return to the fairgrounds for daily appearances. Look for Rock-It roaming around Kiddieland and check out Jones’ show at North Dorton Area Patio.
