Carolina Classic Fair (formerly known as Dixie Classic Fair)

Fall is in the air, and so are fireworks and the smell of funnel cakes at the Dixie Classic Fair. Get your fill of rides, exhibits, animals, and fair food from September 30 to October 9, 2022.

The Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, NC is the second largest agricultural fair in the state. Ferris wheels, fun rides, and furry friends abound! Enjoy live entertainment, fried foods on a stick (are you up for trying fried butter or a Krispy Kreme burger?), blue ribbon entries, tractor pulls, fun rides, and more, all at the Carolina Classic Fair.

2022 Tickets And Info

Advance tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, the Fairgrounds Annex Box Office (to avoid additional Ticketmaster fees) at 414 Deacon Blvd, Monday – Saturday 10 am-5 pm, 12-5 pm on September 25, 10 am-6 pm on 9/26, and 10 am – 8 pm on 9/29.

There is also a new Carolina Classic Fair store at Hanes Mall where you can buy tickets. It is at the Food Court entrance near Cinnabon. You can buy advance tickets as well as merchandise and it is open during normal mall hours (10 am – 9 on Mon-Fri, 12 – 6 pm on Sun).

Visit the Carolina Classic Fair Facebook page for the latest info.

Ticket Prices

• Adults 12 – 64 $8 via Ticketmaster ($10 at gate)
• Kids 6-11 $3 online ($5 at gate),
• Kids 5 & under & seniors over 65 (with ID) FREE.
• Early Bird Special Admission $5 weekdays from opening until 4 pm
• Unlimited Ride wristband (must buy ahead online):
  • Weekday (Mon-Fri): $40
  • Weekend (Sat-Sun): $50

Promotions & Discount Days

• Friday, September 30 – $5 admission all day (iHeart Radio)
• Monday, October 3 – $20 card for 10 rides (Audacy Radio Network)
• Monday, October 3 – Students preschool through 5th grade are free from 9 am – 2 pm.
• Tuesday, October 4 – All rides $2 (iHeart Radio)
• Tuesday, October 4 – Senior Day, free for seniors and their aides.
• Wednesday, October 5 – Free with a donation of 5 non-perishable food items for Crisis Control (Pinnacle Financial)
• Wednesday, October 5 – Special Education Day, free for persons with disabilities and their aides.
• Thursday, October 6 – $20 card for 10 rides (Audacy Radio Network)
• Thursday, October 6 – Military Appreciation Day, free admission with proper ID.
• Thursday, October 6 – $5 for college students with ID (107.5 WKZL)
• Winston-Salem Journal Family Fun Days – $20 for kids 7 and under on all Kiddie Land Strates Rides (excludes pony rides)
  • Saturday, October 8, 9 am-4 pm
  • Sunday, October 9, 11 am – 4 pm

Ride tickets are 50 cents each during the Fair if purchased individually or you can purchase 120 tickets for $50.

Fair Hours

• Sunday-Friday 11 am-11 pm
• Saturdays 9 am-11 pm

Parking

• LJVM Coliseum lot, Truist Field lots, and other WFU controlled lots – $10 (10/8 – $20)
• Other surrounding lots owned by businesses provide parking for a fee
• VIP Leaf Lot is the closest but is first come, first served so you might want to buy ahead online. All cars must leave by 8:15 pm each night from this lot for fireworks. The address is 2885 Shorefair Dr.

Find Out More About the 2022 Fair

Visit the Carolina Classic Fair Facebook page for the latest info on this unique event.

Future Dates

• September 29 – October 8, 2023

History Of The Carolina Classic Fair

The fair began in Winston’s twin city, Salem (now Old Salem) in 1882 as a grain exposition. The Piedmont Tobacco Fair began in Winston in 1897. The two events soon joined and became the Winston-Salem Fair.

The fair moved to its current location at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum entertainment complex grounds in 1952 and was then renamed the Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina (name shortened in later years).  One of the largest fairs in North America, in 2007, the Dixie Classic fair had a record attendance of 371,000 and achieved its second highest attendance record in 2011, with 357,416 visitors.

In 2020, the fair was renamed the Carolina Classic Fair.

What do you enjoy most about the fair?

Sources: www.dcfair.com, www.cityprofile.com, Winston-Salem Journal