North Raleigh Today

Inflation has hit fair food and activities just like it has everything else. Prices have doubled in the past four years and North Carolina State Fair is not immune. 

The North Carolina State fair kicked off as the 155th annual event, from ABC News. But as inflation has become an all-time high, prices are not cheap. ABC quoted Derrick Pierce saying his family would probably cost him $400 the week of the state fair. Burgers are going for $12 and a single stick of corn for $6. But many North Carolina residents say it is worth the money.

According to WRAL, the North Carolina State Fair calls the higher costs "Fairflation" or "Fun-Flation." The news outlet compared prices from 2018 to 2023 and found that the price of a hotdog doubled from $5 to $10 within the past five years. A recent Wall Street Journal report refers to this kind of inflation with performances, movies, and games as "fun-flation." A vendor at the state fair stated that everything has gone up, so of course fair food has as well.

State fair vendors are dwindling this year, as many say it might be their last. Horace Johnson said this might be Apex Lion's Club last year at the North Carolina State Fair, according to The News and Observer. Johnson said the volunteer job he decided to take 20 years ago running the restaurant has turned into his job, not just a hobby. However, a new building being built will take out a lot of these vendors.

Despite the rising prices and the decrease in vendors, many North Carolina residents still consider the North Carolina State Fair to be the best. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper even posted on social media, saying, "The @NCStateFair is the best."