RALEIGH, NC (LOOTPRESS) – North Carolina’s current most famous fowl will be on display during the annual Got to Be NC Festival in Raleigh. The event runs May 19-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Visitors to the festival can meet the birds as well as the other animals on display.
“North Carolina is first in the nation in poultry production and we are proud that these turkeys were grown by Ronnie Parker at Circle S Farms in Monroe,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I would like to thank the N.C. State University’s Prestage Poultry Science Department for not only housing the birds permanently after their pardon but bringing them to the festival.”
Other animals on display at the Agri-Plaza in the Graham building include a chick hatchery, Longhorn steer, Pig Patch Birthing Center, feeder pigs, a llama, alpaca, sheep and goats. Demonstrations will include goat milking and make-your-own felting. Egg candling demonstrations will show festival goers how eggs can be checked to monitor for embryo growth. The dairy milking classroom will also present daily shows on dairy cows and the milking process.
Other activities include the Butterfly Barn, which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the butterfly life cycles and migration patterns of native butterflies. In addition, kids will find free crafting activities making a coffee-filter butterfly or a garden in a glove, or they can pick up an official coloring sheet all of which can be entered into the 2023 State Fair.
Also located in the Graham Building is the N.C. State Highway Patrol exhibit, N.C. Forest Service, John Deer Pedal Tractor Obstacle course, Germ City and more kids’ activities.
The festival will also include a daily tractor parade, carnival rides, the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace featuring North Carolina food and beverage companies offering samples and products for sale.
The Got to Be NC Festival offers free parking and free admission. Activities in the Agri-Plaza are also free. A $3 admission fee is charged for the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace. More information on the festival is online at www.gottobencfestival.com.