Special Happenings
FFA Tractor and Truck Driving Competitions
The annual FFA Tractor and Truck Driving Competition is a highlight of the FFA year. Students from across the state compete to see who is the best driver, and who will take bragging rights back to their school. Sponsored by Kubota and Chevrolet, the event is held Thursday in the Hunt Horse Arena.
Farm Credit Show
Sit awhile and enjoy some old-time tunes from The Brothers N Bluegrass. You'll also hear the latest in agricultural financing from Farm Credit Associations of NC. Held each day at 11am, 1pm, and 2:30pm at the front of the Jim Graham Building.
Lumberjack Show
The South Atlantic Woodsmen's Association (SAWA) returns to the show presenting their popular lumberjack, chainsaw and woodsmen demonstrations. The demonstrations are planned for three times each day on the Midway area of the fairgrounds near the show entrance. Show guests will enjoy watching these professionals throw double-bitted axes at targets, tear through 11-inch logs with razor-sharp six pound axes, and create springboards in the side of trees as they climb their way to the top. They will also be using power equipment, including Stihl chainsaws, to demonstrate the safe and efficient use of these popular forestry essentials.
Try Out a Kolbelco Excavator
Company Wrench will again this year invite qualified show guests try out the latest Kobelco excavators at their demonstration area in front of the fairgrounds grandstand. Kobelco factory representatives will be on hand to help those 21 and older understand how the excavators operate and give them tips for smooth operation. There will also be a skills challenge with prizes for the best operators. Look for the large inflatable Kobelco robot to sign up.
Kubota Hosting NASCAR Driver
NASCAR driver Ross Chastain will be in the Kubota exhibit on Wednesday, February 4 beginning at 2 p.m. He’ll be available to sign autographs and pose for photos with show guests alongside his No. 1 Kubota Chevrolet show car which will also be there that day.
Ross Chastain drives for Trackhouse Racing and is a six-time NASCAR Cup Series winner. In May 2025, he won the longest race of the year – 600 miles at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The Alva, Florida native is an eighth-generation watermelon farmer and one of his passions is to shine a light on agriculture. He earned the nickname “Melon Man” for his family’s history in the watermelon farming business. Chastain’s signature move after a race win is to stand on top of his car and spike a watermelon on the frontstretch.
You can find Ross and a big selection of Kubota products at their exhibit in the center of the Jim Graham Building.
Try out a Can-Am ATV
Show guests can take a demo ride on the newest Can-Am Defender and Outlander models at the Cam-Am demonstration area located on the Midway area of the fairgrounds. Designed to test the limits and feel the full capability of these machines, the special demo track will let let riders discover how these units handle in everything from rugged terrain to smooth cruising.
Riders must be 21 years old and present a drivers license. To reach the demonstration area, take a right at the show entrance.
