Photo: From Lenoir County Fair Facebook page

The North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs (NCAOAF) Annual Conference kicked off with a bang, blending learning, networking, and celebration. Among the highlights was Thursday night's scholarship auction, where over $4,500 was raised to support future scholars, thanks to generous donations from fairs, carnivals, and enthusiastic bidders.

The conference, aimed at refreshing and refocusing fair organizers across the state, featured keynote speaker Dr. Harriett Edwards, who shared strategies for tackling difficult conversations. Attendees also engaged in sessions on marketing, ticketing, livestock rules, and intergenerational communication, while enjoying a lively trade show and legislative updates on policies impacting fairs statewide.

The Lenoir County Fair shone brightly, earning the prestigious Innovation Award for its creative display featuring bug catchers in the field.

“We are pleased to announce that we have received the prestigious “Innovation Award”,” said Lenoir County Fair on Facebook. “LC Fair was recognized with this award for showcasing a booth highlighting bug catchers in the field. We extend our gratitude to Bonnie Faulkner for making this display possible.”

As the conference continues, fair organizers statewide are gearing up to bring the magic of community fairs to life, equipped with new tools and ideas.