The annual state fair–a place to see agricultural exhibitions and concerts, try new and different foods, and enjoy rides with friends and family–started on October 16 and ended on October 26, 2025. I made a point to go and enjoyed the majority of the rides but also asked around to see what other RMA students thought of the event–and the reviews ranged from “it was fun” to “it wasn’t the best.” If you didn’t make it to Raleigh to see the fair for yourself, here’s what you missed (or didn’t) and how RMA students had a chance to get involved in the festivities.

An important part of the state fair is the agriculture section! The state fair started so that North Carolina residents could show off their achievements in agriculture, which can include raising livestock, growing bumper crops and harvested products, and preparing foods with locally grown produce. There is also a “field of dreams exhibit,” which is a miniature farm designed to teach little ones about agriculture. One of RMA’s Upper School students, senior Riley Proctor (Pre-Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Proctor’s son), participated in five shows, winning the Tenderloin Bullcalf contest as Grand Champion and Reserve Champion for the Senior Tenderloin Female Heifer competition. Younger students from RMA also participated, including 7th-grader Brady Moore, 6th-grader Ditty Moore, and 5th-grader Taytum Mills. 

Another RMA connection we want to mention: The fair includes numerous live concerts, and this year, one of our graduates, Chandler James, Class of 2019, had an opportunity to perform and give more North Carolinians a chance to hear his music. Chandler lives in Nashville, Tennessee, now, but often plays shows in his native North Carolina, especially down at the coast and here in Rocky Mount at places like Westridge Grill and Rose Hill.

In addition to its exhibitions and concerts, the North Carolina State Fair is known for its diverse food offerings, both traditional and innovative. Every year, people line up for classic fair snacks, such as funnel cakes covered in powdered sugar, large smoked turkey legs, and roasted corn on the cob. These favorites never get old, but this year brought a variety of new foods! The fair offered pickle pizza, deep-fried banana pudding, cotton candy iced tea, and barbecued donuts. I tried the new Korean corn dogs and was not a fan, although juniors Ethan Kim and Annika Plonski said they tried Korean corn dogs and were extremely satisfied with them (other than the exorbitant price–$15 each!). Another RMA junior, Tae Cowder, said he was disappointed that there was no Hispanic food this year.

For many people attending the fair, it’s all about the rides. This year, three new rides were added! They are the Colossus, The Flip Side, and the Kamikaze. The Colossus ride has a giant pendulum that balances eight riders on opposite ends. It loops 360 degrees and spins, turns, and rolls. The Flip Side is also a pendulum-style ride, but swings riders high into the sky. The four rows of seats face outward at the bottom of the pendulum, with each row able to flip upside down and each seat able to spin in circles. Lastly, the Kamikaze is a two-armed ride that sends both arms in opposite directions. Each arm has enclosed carts that flip riders upside down at the peak of the ride. I tested out all three and thought they were super fun, although our RMA juniors Cameron MacDonald and Zoey Barnes said the Colossus was one of their least favorite rides due to the dizziness they felt while riding it. Although these new rides brought excitement, I think we can all agree there’s nothing like the classics. People mostly prefer the State Fair Flyer, which is a 10-minute chairlift ride that goes 1,400 feet across the midway at a height of up to 45 feet, and the State Fair Skygazer, the largest traveling Ferris wheel in the United States, which stands 155 feet tall and holds over 200 people at once. Some students complained about the long lines and cost of wristbands, but still enjoyed their time on the rides.

Overall, the 2025 State Fair brought excitement with a variety of new foods and rides to try, and we’re excited that some of the RMA Eagles got to participate! Next year, I hope to see even more new foods, new rides, and a greater variety of activities. I also hope to see many more faces from the RMA family there!