ASHEVILLE - There's something nostalgic about sipping ice-cold lemonade from cups almost bigger than what can fit in one hand, anxiously waiting to be the next rider called up to claim a seat on your favorite ride, and besting a midway operator at their own game.
The time to be a kid again and give the child in your life their first taste of state fair magic has come again to Western North Carolina.
On Sept. 11-20, the North Carolina Mountain State Fair will swing back through the WNC Agriculture Center at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher, near the Asheville Regional Airport.
The N.C. Mountain State Fair is WNC's annual event, with the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh scheduled for Oct. 15-25.
“The Mountain State Fair has become a time-honored
tradition in Western N.C. for its blend of agricultural exhibits, favorite exhibits and entertainment, plus a few new attractions each year to add to the fun,” said Jeff Barham, general manager of the N.C. Mountain State Fair, said in a news release. “With 14 free entertainment acts, a full midway, rows of delicious food, livestock shows and display farm animals, plus arts and crafts, music and dancing, the Mountain State Fair has something for everyone.”
Here's what you need to know to begin making new, lifelong memories at the NC Mountain State Fair.
What's new and returning to the North Carolina Mountain State Fair
Fan favorites returning to this year's event include the Red Trouser Show, Zerbini Circus, Extreme Illusions & Escapes, Leon Jacobs on piano, Agricadabra Magic Show, Comedy Hypnosis, Mooternity Ward, First Bite Fishing, Mythic Creatures, Wild Bill’s Speedway and the Mobile Dairy Classroom.
In the mix of visiting your favorite food and refreshments, get ready to have your sweet and savory cravings met at new vendor booths, including Southern Cravings (nachos, pretzels and more), Sweet Temptations by CoCo (baked goods), Larger Than Lemons (specialty fresh-squeezed lemonades) and Kershaw’s Kreamery (ice cream). And Veterans of America Roastery with be pouring specialty roasted coffees to keep fairgoers going all day and into the night.
Seeking new thrills to get your heart-thumping and adrenaline flowing? The N.C. Mountain State Fair and midway provider, Drew Exposition, will introduce four new rides.
Take a spin on flying cow cars on The Dairy. Kids are also in for a zany good time zipping around on the Crazy Cars.
Test your bravery in the walk-through spooky house, The Horror Hotel.
The Aeromax will take adults and kids on a high-altitude spin in brightly colored airplanes around 40 feet in the air.
New to the fair stage, Comedy Juggler Neils Dunker, from the Netherlands, will perform daily. Dunker has earned three Guinness World Records and has been featured at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Become immersed in the new Butterfly Experience, where fairgoers can walk through an enclosure and feed three different varieties of butterflies.
Got cooking chops or want to learn? Bring your appetite to the new show, Cooking with Kids, with Louisiana native Chef Bryon Landry, who will teach youth cooking tips and how to prepare dishes they can make at home.
Take a breather from the death-defying rides and exhilarating performance escapades to check out the showstopping livestock and talented humans in the expo shows, display exhibits and the many competitions, including cooking, baking, art, singing, clogging and gardening.
Most entries closed in August, but there's still time to sign up for the ice cream eating contest, with categories for ages 5 and up, including local celebrities. The deadline is at 6:15 p.m. Sept. 15, and competitors must register in person. The contest begins at 6:30 p.m. on the same day at the Expo building. Trophies will be provided for each age group for first, second and third place winners.
Tickets on sale, discounts to save money
Don't let a minute go wasted waiting to get inside to begin the day of fun. Fairgoers can skip the gate line by purchasing admission tickets online in advance.
The advanced regular admission cost is $9 for individuals ages 13-64, $5 for ages 65 and older, and $5 for children ages 6-12. Groups of 30 to 100 people are $7 per person.
The advanced unlimited ride tickets cost $25 online, with up to $10 in savings. Beginning Sept. 11, will cost $25 from Monday-Thursday and $35 on Friday and Saturday. Online fees apply.
Gate admission and ride prices increase on Sept. 11.
General parking lots, Gate 1 and Gate 7, at the WNC Ag Center are free. Handicap spaces are available at each lot, and scooter and wheelchair access is available at the South Gate, where the NC Mountain State Fair also offers stroller, wheelchair and scooter rentals.
The fair opens at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday, closing between 9 p.m. and midnight on select days.
On Sept. 11, Student Day, students in grades K-12 may enter for free until 6 p.m.
On Sept. 16, Ingles and MANNA Food Day, guests who donate five canned goods or non-perishable items at the fair gate may enter for free, with the goods going to MANNA FoodBank.
On Sept. 17, Duke Energy Salute to Service Day, all active-duty military members, veterans and first responders with valid ID will receive free admission.
On Sept. 18, Student Day and Weller at The Preserve Senior Day, students in grades K-12 may enter for free until 6 p.m., and guests ages 65 and older will be granted free admission all day.
Much more is in store for the 2026 N.C. Mountain State Fair. View the complete schedule so you don't miss a moment of the fun at wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair.
2026 North Carolina Mountain State Fair
Where: WNC Agriculture Center at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher.
When: Sept. 11-20.
Info: For more details, including a map of the fairgrounds, visit wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Co., covering the food and beverage industry, including the James Beard Awards, Michelin Awards, restaurant openings, closings and other hospitality industry news and events. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Mountain State Fair returns with new rides, performances, food
