Pony Express program returns to deliver N.C. Mountain State Fair entries to the fairgrounds
The N.C. Mountain State Fair is still accepting competition entries, and residents in Western North Carolina can utilize the free Pony Express program to save themselves a trip to the fairgrounds in Fletcher.
The Pony Express, a partnership between the N.C. Mountain State Fair and the N.C. Cooperative Extension, looks to increase participation by children, teens and adults in fair competitions. Participants in over a dozen Western North Carolina counties can register their fair entries online, bring their non-perishable entries – wrapped and packed for transport – and entry forms to their local county extension office where they will be picked up and transported to the Mountain State Fair for judging and display.
“Entering a competition is one of the best ways for people to be a part of the N.C. Mountain State Fair,” said Fair Manager Jeff Barham. “The Pony Express program makes entering a competition easy and saves time for first-time entrants and longtime participants alike.”
Entries must be registered online and dropped off at a local extension office by Aug. 28 at 11:30 a.m. After the fair, all items will be returned to the local county extension offices for participants to pick up by Sept. 30. Any prize money will be mailed directly to participants.
Following are participating N.C. Cooperative Extension offices and their contact numbers:
- Avery, 828-733-8270
- Buncombe, 828-255-5520
- Burke, 828-764-9480
- Caldwell, 828-757-1290
- Cherokee, 828-837-2210
- Clay, 828-389-6305
- Cleveland, 704-482-4365
- EBCI, 828-359-6939
- Graham, 828-479-7979
- Haywood, 828-456-3575
- Henderson, 828-697-4891
- Jackson, 828-586-4009
- Macon, 828-349-2046
- Madison, 828-649-2411
- McDowell, 828-652-8104
- Mitchell, 828-688-4811
- Polk, 828-894-8218
- Rutherford, 828-287-6010
- Swain, 828-488-3848
- Transylvania, 828-884-3109
- Watauga, 828-264-3061
- Yancey, 828-682-6186
Competition information is online now, with contests rules, guidelines and deadlines located in the online competition catalog. Entry deadlines vary, but are coming up fast. Whether you’re an artist, canner, livestock exhibitor, gardener or musician, there is a competition at the 2026 N.C. Mountain State Fair for you.
The deadline for general competitions and livestock shows is Aug. 28. Exhibitors are encouraged to register their entries early as popular categories can fill up before the deadlines.
The 2026 Mountain State Fair runs Sep. 11-20 at the Western N.C. Ag Center in Fletcher. Discount admission and ride tickets are now on sale at www.wncagcenter.org.
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