North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts

North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts The Folk Festival was established in 1948 to preserve and promote music and dance from North Carolina

We’re hiring!The North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts program is now accepting applications for Fes...
06/01/2026

We’re hiring!

The North Carolina State Fair Folk Festival & Performing Arts program is now accepting applications for Festival Workers / Assistants.

This is a great opportunity to be part of one of North Carolina’s most beloved cultural events and help bring the Folk Festival to life. Festival Workers/Assistants support daily operations, performer coordination, guest services, and overall event logistics during the Fair.

Experience is welcome, but not required—we’re looking for dependable, positive, and hard-working individuals who are excited to learn and contribute in a fast-paced festival environment.

Requirements:

Must be available in person during all North Carolina State Fair days
Must be flexible and willing to work weekends and extended hours
Ability to lift 10+ lbs and work outdoors, including walking/standing/mobility aids on gravel, grass, dirt, or muddy areas
Strong communication and teamwork skills

If you’re interested in gaining hands-on experience in arts, culture, and large-scale event production, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply here (please let us know before you apply so we can make sure you join our team!): https://identity.wd108.myworkday.com/wday/authgwy/nc/upc/login

Or to learn more, please message or email us directly:

Jeri Ellen Helms, Superintendent: [email protected]
Ruth Toole, Competitions Director: [email protected]
Competitions Department: [email protected]

We miss you! 🎭 Registration for the 2026 Folk & Performing Arts Festival opens in July and runs through September 15th! ...
05/12/2026

We miss you! 🎭 Registration for the 2026 Folk & Performing Arts Festival opens in July and runs through September 15th! 🎶

This year brings exciting new categories, divisions, and themed days while continuing the same celebration of folk traditions, culture, and performance that has been at the heart of this festival for the past 79 years.

Participants are encouraged to register as early as possible to secure their preferred performance times — performances will be scheduled in the order registrations are received, so first come, first served, especially for those hoping for earlier time slots.

Whether you’re returning to the stage or joining us for the first time, we can’t wait to celebrate another incredible year of music, dance, storytelling, and tradition with you all!

If you have any questions about categories, divisions, or registration, please feel free to reach out.

New things are happening for the Folk and Performing Arts Festival! We are adding the Performing Arts category to our Fe...
03/03/2026

New things are happening for the Folk and Performing Arts Festival! We are adding the Performing Arts category to our Festival! Are you someone who likes musical theater, storytelling, poetry, or theater? We would love to have you or your group join us this fall at the North Carolina State Fair Folk and Performing Arts Festival. Registration opens in July, follow along here or get in touch with us at [email protected] or [email protected].

See you soon!

⭐ CALLING ALL VOCAL, DANCE AND PERFORMING ARTS JUDGES! ⭐ NCSF Folk & Performing Arts Festival🎤💃 Are you passionate about...
01/22/2026

⭐ CALLING ALL VOCAL, DANCE AND PERFORMING ARTS JUDGES! ⭐ NCSF Folk & Performing Arts Festival

🎤💃 Are you passionate about performance, tradition, and uplifting artists? We’re looking for local vocal, dance and performance professionals — including retired performers and educators — to join our panel of judges and help spotlight exceptional talent and living traditions at the NC State Fair!

✨ Who we’re looking for:

Performers, educators, choreographers, directors, retired professionals, or practicing artists

Experience in vocal, instrumental, dance and/or performance arts (competition or adjudication experience a huge plus!)

Educational background or professional training in music, dance, theater, or related performing arts — or equivalent real-world experience

Appreciation for folk, traditional, and culturally rooted performance styles

Ability to provide fair, constructive, and supportive feedback

Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural respect

🎭 Bonus if you have experience with spoken word, storytelling, or theater arts!

📅 Judges must be available during scheduled State Fair dates and willing to participate in a brief orientation.

✨ Help us celebrate the cultural excellence and living art of music, dance, and performance!

📩 Interested?
Message us here on Facebook, or reach out to
Jeri-Ellen Helms, Superintendent at [email protected]

or [email protected]

Just saw our friends Dancers With Wings Studio in the Raleigh Christmas Parade 👋💙🎅🏼
11/22/2025

Just saw our friends Dancers With Wings Studio in the Raleigh Christmas Parade 👋💙🎅🏼

🎶 Friday & Saturday Recap – Folk Festival Highlights! 🌟The Folk Festival stage was alive with incredible talent this wee...
11/04/2025

🎶 Friday & Saturday Recap – Folk Festival Highlights! 🌟

The Folk Festival stage was alive with incredible talent this weekend at the N.C. State Fair! From heartfelt vocals to high-energy dance, every performance brought something special to the fairgrounds. 💚

🎤 Friday featured Betsy Ho**er, a proud NC native, wife, and mama of twins, who shared her beautiful renditions of “Angel Band” and “What’s a Memory Like You.” Her warmth and stage presence filled Heritage Circle with heart and harmony.

Next up, Parker Lowe, a talented 13-year-old performer, wowed the crowd with “Wagon Wheel,” “Tishomingo,” and “Bottle Rockets.” His confidence and charm had the audience singing along!

We also loved the joy and creativity from EDPA’s Performance Company, who delivered a fun and theatrical set with “Purple People Eater,” “For Good,” “The Addams Family,” and “Monster Mash.” 💜

Madeline Gustafason followed with her beautiful performance of “Golden,” adding a heartfelt touch to the evening lineup. ✨

💃 Saturday’s Open Stage brought the energy to a whole new level with The Diamonds Dance Team from Wilmington, NC! Their fierce mix of R&B and hip-hop choreography — featuring tracks like “Made For Me,” “Toot Dat,” “Get Me Bodied,” and more — lit up the stage and had the crowd cheering every beat! 🔥

A huge thank you to every performer who graced the Folk Festival stage this week — your passion and talent make the fair shine brighter every year! 🌟

**er

🎸 Sunday Recap – Folk Festival Finale! 🎶We wrapped up another amazing week at the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival with a d...
11/04/2025

🎸 Sunday Recap – Folk Festival Finale! 🎶

We wrapped up another amazing week at the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival with a day full of rhythm, harmony, and pure musical joy! 🌟

🎵 All Music People Club from NC State University brought the jam-session spirit to the stage with a set that had something for everyone — from “Whipping Post” and “Mississippi Queen” to “Take It Easy” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” Their energy, musicianship, and love for collaboration made it impossible not to tap your feet along! 🎸

🎤 Closing out the day, the incredible Ladies in Red, NC State’s premier all-women a ca****la group, filled the air with rich harmonies and heart. Their performances of “Darkest Hour,” “Sh-Boom,” “Talk It Up,” and “For Once in My Life” were the perfect way to end the festival on a high note. ❤️

Thank you to every performer, volunteer, and audience member who made this year’s Folk Festival unforgettable. Until next time — keep celebrating North Carolina’s music, dance, and community spirit! 💚✨

11/04/2025

👋👋

🎤 Folk Festival Midweek Recap! 🎶What an incredible couple of days at the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival — full of powerfu...
11/03/2025

🎤 Folk Festival Midweek Recap! 🎶

What an incredible couple of days at the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival — full of powerful voices, heartfelt performances, and lively dance! 🌟

On Wednesday, Ariella Whitaker amazed the audience with her a ca****la performance of “2 Birds.” Her voice filled the stage with clarity and emotion — a stunning moment that reminded us of the beauty of simplicity and pure talent.

On Thursday, the lineup brought even more energy and variety to the stage!
🎸 Darrell Connor showcased his musical versatility with both vocal and instrumental performances, including “Status of a Fool,” “I Believe,” “Wildwood Flower,” “Red Wing,” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky.”
🎤 Megan Stoner charmed the crowd with her classic country renditions of “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy,” and joined Darrell for duets of “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” and “When a Tear Becomes a Rose.”
💃 The Dancing Divas lit up the stage with “September” and “Blame It On the Boogie,” spreading joy and energy everywhere!
🎵 The day continued with a stunning contemporary piece by Triangle Fusion Dance Company, set to “People Are Strange” by The Doors.

Thank you to every performer who shared their talent, heart, and creativity with us this week — you make the Folk Festival truly shine! 💚✨

✨ What a performance! ✨We loved having Tapestry Dance Company from Ligon Middle School take the stage at the N.C. State ...
11/03/2025

✨ What a performance! ✨
We loved having Tapestry Dance Company from Ligon Middle School take the stage at the N.C. State Fair Folk Festival on Tuesday, October 21! 💃🎶

Their energy, teamwork, and talent lit up the stage and reminded us why we love celebrating young North Carolina performers. Thank you, Tapestry Dance Company, for sharing your artistry and spirit with us! 🌟

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Raleigh, NC

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 9pm
Tuesday 10am - 9pm
Wednesday 10am - 9pm
Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday 10am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 12pm - 9pm

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