Dixie Classic Fair
Encyclopedia
The Dixie Classic Fair is an annual fair
held in Winston-Salem
, North Carolina
. The fair takes place every autumn on the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds (formerly known as the Forsyth County Fairgrounds
), which is part of the Winston-Salem Entertainment-Sports Complex
; the grounds are located adjacent to the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
. 371,219 attended the 2007 Dixie Classic Fair, which was a new attendance record. This attendance record elevated the Dixie Classic Fair to the 50th largest attended Fair in North America.
The fair began in the former town of Salem
as a grain exposition in 1882 (2007 was the 125th anniversary). In 1897, the Piedmont Tobacco Fair was started and shortly thereafter the two events merged together to form the Winston-Salem Fair. The fair moved to its current fairgrounds in 1952 and changed its name to the "Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina" in 1956. Today, the event is most commonly known as just the Dixie Classic Fair.
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
held in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. The fair takes place every autumn on the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds (formerly known as the Forsyth County Fairgrounds
Forsyth County Fairgrounds
The Forsyth County Fairgrounds was a dirt oval track spanning in addition to its primary purpose as a fairground...
), which is part of the Winston-Salem Entertainment-Sports Complex
Winston-Salem Entertainment-Sports Complex
The Winston-Salem Entertainment-Sports Complex is a group of arenas, sports venues, and entertainment venues in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. The complex consists of six structures, five of which are found in the same area along Deacon Boulevard in the city's North Ward...
; the grounds are located adjacent to the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,407-seat multi-purpose arena, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Construction on the arena began on April 23, 1987 and it opened on August 28, 1989...
. 371,219 attended the 2007 Dixie Classic Fair, which was a new attendance record. This attendance record elevated the Dixie Classic Fair to the 50th largest attended Fair in North America.
The fair began in the former town of Salem
Old Salem
Old Salem is a historic district of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It features a living history museum that interprets the restored Moravian community. The non-profit organization began its work in 1950, although some private residents had restored buildings earlier...
as a grain exposition in 1882 (2007 was the 125th anniversary). In 1897, the Piedmont Tobacco Fair was started and shortly thereafter the two events merged together to form the Winston-Salem Fair. The fair moved to its current fairgrounds in 1952 and changed its name to the "Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina" in 1956. Today, the event is most commonly known as just the Dixie Classic Fair.