Event Description

REGISTRATION FOR THE GOT TO BE NC PAVILION LOCATED IN THE DORTON ARENA DURING THE NORTH CAROLINA  STATE FAIR IS OPEN.

PARTICIPATING IN THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR IS A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT THAT DEMANDS LONG HOURS AND METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

Please read the details including the RULES AND REGULATIONS carefully.

IF YOU ARE AN EXISTING GOT TO BE NC MEMBER COMPANY CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO EVENT REGISTRATION WEBSITE.

Nothing ushers in fall like the annual North Carolina State Fair that will take place from Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Visitors from all over North Carolina and beyond, will gather to celebrate what has become the ultimate family tradition. 174 years in the making, the fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend. The North Carolina State Fair is unparalleled, with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights. In 2025, we greeted 946,811 fairgoers over 11 days.

Non-members, Concessions and/or Commercial Vendors: If you are not a Got to Be NC member or are a Concession/Commercial Vendor please do NOT apply on this site. Click here to be redirected to the correct website. Applications are not interchangeable.

Got to Be NC Pavilion Information: The Got to Be NC Pavilion features products that are grown, raised, caught, and made in North Carolina by members of the Got to Be NC program. Members of the Got to Be NC program can apply for booth space so that they can sample and sell their products to consumers from across the state. The Got to Be NC Pavilion will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Dorton Arena Information: The Got to Be NC Pavilion is located inside the historic J.S. Dorton Arena. This iconic, domed structure offers a high-traffic location and a unique setting for showcasing North Carolina products. As a central attraction during the Fair, Dorton Arena provides excellent visibility and foot traffic for participating vendors. The Dorton Arena is not climate-controlled, and the floors are concrete.

Additional Information: Continuing scrolling down for additional information.

Event Details

Registration Deadline: June 19, 2026

Dates

October 15, 2026
through
October 25, 2026

Time

9:00 am - 9:45 pm

Cost

Location

NC State Fairgrounds
4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh

NC State Fairgrounds

4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh

Additional Information

Pavilion Eligibility: To exhibit in this section of the fair, applicants must have been a Got to Be NC member for at least one year and maintain an active listing on the Got to Be NC website. Food and beverage products must be market ready. Breweries and distilleries, as well as prepared foods (including sandwiches and entrées), are not eligible to participate in the Got to Be NC Pavilion during the North Carolina State Fair.

Limited Booth Space: The Got to Be NC program has over 3,000 members and available booth space for less than 35 member companies in the Got to Be NC Pavilion, making the selection process extremely competitive.

Samples and Supplies: Product sampling is required at the exhibitor’s discretion; however, charging for samples is not permitted. Exhibitors must bring all necessary supplies, as none will be available onsite. Samples must follow size limits: non-alcoholic beverages (2 oz. or less), wine (1 oz. or less), and food (one square inch or smaller, fitting in a one-inch condiment cup). Exhibitors are responsible for all sampling, cleaning, and load-in/load-out supplies, including serving items, sanitation materials, and basic equipment such as carts and signage tools.

Selection Procedure: Got to Be NC members must submit their application by the specified deadline, Friday, June 19, 2026. NCDA&CS staff will review each application and confirm your Got to Be NC membership as well as your listing in the Got to Be NC Find Local Directory.

The Got to Be NC Pavilion is a juried event (not a first-come, first-served) and applying does not guarantee acceptance. To maintain a diverse and balanced selection of products, NCDA&CS reserves the right to limit the number of exhibitors within the same product category and to decline applications that do not align with the event’s exhibit criteria.

Application Confirmation: After you submit your booth application you will receive an automated confirmation number. This number confirms that your application for booth space has been received. It does not mean you have been approved for booth space.

Approved Got to Be NC Exhibitors: If approved for booth space, you will be notified via email in early July. The email will include a payment link, and payment must be completed within two business days to secure your space. A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is also required and must be submitted by July 10, 2026.

If approved for booth space, exhibitors may be required to obtain a Wake County Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) Permit and submit a Wake County tax report, depending on their product. Exhibitors may also be subject to inspection by the NCDA&CS Food and Drug Division, which may require a handwashing sink within the booth. All exhibitors are responsible for complying with permits, inspections, and tax reporting. Additional information and contact details are provided below.

We are pleased to introduce a new booth size option for this year’s event. In addition to our traditional 10’×10′ (single) and 10’×20′ (double) booths, exhibitors may now select a 10’×15′ booth, offering added flexibility for those who need more space without committing to a full double booth.

Please note that booth pricing has been adjusted for this year. Like many events, we are experiencing increased production and operational costs, and rates have been updated to better reflect the true cost of delivering a high-quality event experience. These adjustments also help ensure we can continue to support the infrastructure, services, and promotion that make this event successful for our exhibitors. We understand that any price increase is significant, and we have worked carefully to keep rates as reasonable as possible while maintaining the standard and scale of the event.

Booth Hours: All booths must be open and staffed during all building hours, (9:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily). If an exhibitor does not adhere to this policy, they are subject to removal from the fair and will not be permitted to participate in other events such as the Mountain State Fair, the Got to Be NC Festival and Flavors of Carolina.

No refunds will be provided to exhibitors that do not adhere to the rules and regulations.

PAYMENT DEADLINE:  Booth payment is due within two business days of approval. All payments must be made online by credit card. Booth space will not be secured until payment is received. Failure to pay within the required timeframe will result in forfeiture of the booth.

REFUND POLICY:  All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Refunds will not be issued unless the event is cancelled by NCDA&CS.