NC Mountain State Fair to open at Ag Center: What to know about prices, hours, rides, more

Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen Times
Updated ·4 min read

ASHEVILLE - Dill pickle lemonade, Krispy Kreme burgers and fluorescent Ferris wheels. It’s that time of year again for the North Carolina Mountain State Fair, where you’ll be able to find your favorite fairground food, rides and competitions from Sept. 8-17 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher.

"We have had a lot of focus on Western North Carolina Heritage and really celebrating what makes Western North Carolina so special," said Ellerslie McCue, marketing and communications coordinator for North Carolina Western Agricultural Programs on the 2023 Mountain State Fair.

However, there are a few changes and exciting events at this years fair. Here’s what you need to know before heading out for your favorite fairground snack.

Scenes from the NC Mountain State Fair in Asheville September 14, 2022.
Scenes from the NC Mountain State Fair in Asheville September 14, 2022.

How do I get tickets?

Unlike recent years, admission tickets are not available at local Ingles, McCue said.

"We're not selling about Ingles this year, and our ride tickets are going to only be available at the fair," McCue said.

  • You can purchase tickets online at wnc.agcenter.org until Sept. 7, or purchase tickets at the fair gates for a few dollars more. Ride tickets are separate from general admission tickets. Admission for children age 5 or younger is free.

    • Online: General admission adult tickets are $9. Tickets for those age 65 and older than 65 or children 6-12 are $5.

    • At gate: General admission tickets at the gate are $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 6-12. For those 65 and older, tickets are $5.

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Rides

  • As usual, the fair will provide many rides and attractions. Ride tickets will be available on-site daily from Sept. 8-17.

    • Most rides will be available for two-three tickets, but others, like a new ride titled "Sub Zero," will be available for six tickets or more.

    • All day ride packages are $35 on weekends and $25 on weekdays. These packages will allow one person to ride without needing tickets.

    • A single ride ticket runs $1.25, while 21 tickets are $20, 55 tickets are $50 and 100 tickets are $120.

The sun sets on the NC Mountain State Fair September 14, 2022.
The sun sets on the NC Mountain State Fair September 14, 2022.

Get in free?

  • Students K-12 have free admission to the fair before 6 p.m. Sept. 8 and 15.

  • Active duty service members, veterans and first responders with current IDs can get in free Sept. 11.

  • On Sept. 15, those 65 and older enjoy free admission for the fair’s "Senior Day."

For fair foodies: Love it or hate it: Eye-catching food, drinks at this year's Mountain State Fair

Parking

  • Free parking is available on fairground property at Gate 7 on N.C. 280.

  • Accessible parking is available next to the ticket booths at Gate 7 and Gate 1.

Weather

The first few days of the fair should have mostly sunny weather, and a weekend high of 84 expected, according to the National Weather Service. There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms on Sept. 9 with clearing expected later in the weekend.

Photos: 2022 NC Mountain State Fair

Fair hours

  • Weekends: Fair opens at 9 a.m. and rides open at 10 a.m. Fair buildings will close at 10 p.m. and rides will close at midnight.  Fair rides close at 11 p.m. on the first Sunday.

  • Weekdays: Fair opens at 3 p.m. and rides open at 4 p.m. Fair buildings will close at 10 p.m. and rides will close at 11 p.m.

  • On Sept. 17, the last day of the fair, the fair will open with regular weekend hours but will close at 9 p.m.

  • If you plan on being in the fair late, make sure to get through a gate prior to 9:45 p.m., when all gates will close with no re-admittance.

Fair events

While there are many events going on every day during fair hours, here’s a few to highlight from the fairs first four days:

  • Sept. 8: Clogging Competition, 7:30 p.m. at the Got to Be NC Stage.

  • Sept. 9: Mountain Music, 6 p.m. at the Heritage Stage.

  • Sept. 10: Mountain Music, 2 p.m.  at the Heritage Stage.

  • Sept. 11: Pork Cooking Contest, 7 p.m. at the Chevrolet/Davis Event Center.

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. 

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Mountain State Fair opens Sept. 8-17 at WNC Ag Center in Fletcher