[3][6] The fair consists of carnival rides, agricultural exhibitions and competitions, food, music, demonstrations, and garden and craft displays.

"[4] In this era, the fair included horse races, political oration, marching bands, and military units on parade.

[7] In 1917, a Woman's Building was added to the fairgrounds to recognize the contributions of North Carolina's women during World War I.

[7] Katherine Smith Reynolds because the first female executive committee member of the North Carolina State Agricultural Society, serving from 1918 to 1921.

[7] At the time, the cost of hosting the fair was increasing, and managing the mix of educational exhibits and commercial spectacles was expanding beyond the reach of a volunteer board.

[7] One journalist wrote, "Mrs. Vanderbilt has given time, energy, and contagious enthusiasm, and men have found pleasure in helping her see her ambitions for North Carolina realized.

[4] In 1927, the North Carolina Legislature designated 200 acres (81 ha) for new fairgrounds at the Blue Ridge Road and Hillsborough Street intersection on the west side of Raleigh.

[5] Wake Country contributed funds for new fairgrounds buildings, supplementing the proceeds from selling the former Agricultural Society's property.

[12] The fairground's most significant structure is J. S. Dorton Arena, a 7,500-seat stadium designed by architects Matthew Nowicki and William Henry Deitrick in 1949.

[13][3] Completed in 1953 as a livestock-judging pavilion, it features a large suspended roof and was the first indoor arena designed without any columns, becoming a model for future superdome structures.

[5] The twin buildings appear as a single structure because of their unified façade with tower-flanked entrances and glazed terra cotta ornamentation.

[4] Newer additions include the 50,000 square feet (4,600 m2) Agri-Supply Exposition Center, the Sam G. Rand Grandstand (formerly the State Fairgrounds Speedway), the 30 acres (12 ha) Governor James B.

[20][21][16] The Field of Dreams is a mini-farm where children can see how food is grown, taste produce, and watch a rabbit race.

The Heritage Circle consists of historic buildings, blacksmith and gristmill demonstrations, and samples of apple cider and hush puppies.

[20] The State Fair Ark has more than fifty animals on display, including cattle, goats, sheep, and swine.

[26][28] There is also a Home Chef Challenge and competitions for apprentices in carpentry, cosmetology, electrical, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing.

[30] More than 1,500 people participate yearly for the coveted Bascom Lamar Lunsford Trophy, named after the festival's founder.

[32] One of the rides is the SkyGazer, the largest traveling Ferris wheel in the United States; it seats 200 people and is 150 feet (46 m) tall.

[3] Past acts include American Aquarium, Clay Aiken, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dillon Fence, Florida Georgia Line, Hot Chelle Rae, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Kansas, Chris Lane, Kimberly Locke, Toby Mac, Pure Prairie League, Sister Hazel, Skillet, and Superchunk.

[20][6]The Sam Rand Grandstand hosts special events, including the Tractor Pull, the Demolition Derby, the Canine Stars, and the King Action Sports Stunt Show.

[32][39] American Sky Lifts, based in Sanford, owns and built the massive machine for one million dollars.

[42] On October 29, 2013, the operator of the ride, Timothy Dwayne Tutterow, was charged with three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon for inflicting serious bodily injury in connection with the accident.

[43] In June 2015, Tutterow pled guilty but was not sentenced as part of a plea arrangement to testify against the ride owner, Joshua Gene Macaroni.