WINSTON-SALEM’S HOME FOR YEAR-ROUND ENTERTAINMENT!

The mission of the Fairgrounds is to plan, promote, and produce annual events including the Carolina Classic Fair, agricultural, fraternal, educational, social, entertainment activities and events year-round for the citizens of Winston-Salem.

Our facilities are open for rental to the public and published rates that can be found on our website. Each year the Fairgrounds sees more than 500,000 patrons walk through our doors. The Fairgrounds facilities have hosted a variety of entertainment over the years including Bob Dylan, Wiz Khalifa, Gucci Mane, Bill Engvall, Chuggington, The Moscow Festival Ballet, The Russian National Ballet, Travis Tritt, Marshall Tucker Band, The Color Run, Tiesto, Steve Aoki, Brothers Osborne, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, President George W Bush, plus annual trade shows, festivals, ice skating, sporting events, and much more!

The great Carolina Classic Fair will enter its 142nd year in 2024.  It’s a family tradition that Winston-Salem and all of Northwest North Carolina look forward to every year!

The key venues on the roughly 70-acre Fairgrounds property include the Arena (built in 1989 – formerly known as the Annex), Event Center (built in 1992 – formerly known as the Education Building), Home & Garden Building (1997), and the Grandstand. Furthermore, The Fairgrounds Farmers Market is the longest running farmers market in the Triad. The Farmers Market is open every Saturday year-round from 6am – Noon.

 

Fairgrounds Flyer

Winston Salem's Home for Enetertainment

 

Fairgrounds History

Originally known as The Forsyth County Fairgrounds, The Winston Salem Fairgrounds began as a dirt oval track spanning 0.500 miles in addition to its primary purpose as a fairground. When it wasn’t expected to host a stock car race, this fairground was the home of the annual Carolina Classic Fair starting in 1951. Eventually, it became home to many other events related to the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina. In addition, the annual fair traditionally takes place in the first week of October.

On December 1, 1969, the Winston-Salem Foundation gave the Fairgrounds, the Memorial Coliseum, and $75,000 to the City of Winston-Salem.

In January of 2014, the City of Winston-Salem Public Assembly Facilities Commission approved the name change to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. As a result, the name change was made in an effort to help bring an identity to the year-round activity, while at the same time preserving the Carolina Classic Fair brand and name.

In 2016, the Fairgrounds became the home of the American Indoor Football League’s Winston Wildcats. In addition, 2017 the Fairgrounds welcomed back professional hockey and become the home of the Carolina Thunderbirds!

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