The Carolina Classic Fair, also known as the Dixie Classic Fair, is a vibrant 10-day annual event held each fall at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC. The fair features top musical acts, delicious fried foods and beverages, livestock exhibits, fine arts and crafts, carnival rides and games, children's activities, fireworks, commercial vendors, and a wide range of attractions to suit all tastes. Drawing approximately 60,000 visitors each weekend and around 180,000 attendees throughout the event, the fair is a much-anticipated celebration in the community.
Attractions
The Carolina Classic Fair offers a wide array of attractions, ensuring entertainment for all. Highlights typically include the Cowboy Circus, Extreme Illusions & Escapes, Animal Cracker Conspiracy, racecar simulators, and The Living Zultar. Each night, fireworks light up the sky at 9:45 pm. Visitors can also enjoy thrilling rides, delicious food, a Beer Garden, and a trip back in time at Yesterday Village, featuring 19 log structures from the 1800s. Competitions are open to all, whether you're an aspiring artist, an agricultural expert, or a culinary enthusiast, providing everyone a chance to showcase their talents.
Tickets & Parking
Tickets for the Carolina Classic Fair are available at various price points. Adults, aged 12 to 64, can enter for $10, with an additional $2 surcharge if purchased at the gate. Children aged 6 to 11 can join the fun for $5, also subject to a $2 gate surcharge, while those five and under can enter for free. Senior adults, aged 65 and over, can also enjoy free admission with a valid ID. Early Bird Admission is available for $5 before 4 pm, Monday through Friday only, for those looking to save.
The fair operates from 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday through Friday, and from 9 am to 11 pm on Saturdays, providing ample time for visitors to enjoy all the attractions.
For parking, advanced spots are available for $10 in the Fairgrounds VIP Parking Leaf Lot, offering a guaranteed spot and a straightforward walk into the midway. This option is available on a first-come, first-served basis. General parking on the event day is also $10 and can be found at the LJVM Coliseum and Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium parking lots, both owned and operated by Wake Forest University.
Rules & Restrictions
Certain items are strictly prohibited at the Carolina Classic Fair to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees. These include alcohol and drugs, skateboards and scooters, drones, oversized bags, selfie sticks, fireworks and noisemakers, tripods, laser pointers, balls or frisbees, laptops, coolers or ice chests, chains, weapons, knives and multi-tools, as well as any offensive or inappropriate clothing.
