Got to Be NC Festival seeks antique tractors, vendors, musicians May 15-17, 2015


RALEIGH – Event organizers are looking for farm-equipment hobbyists, musicians and vendors interested in participating in the 2015 Got to Be NC Festival May 15-17 at the State Fairgrounds. This celebration of N.C. agriculture is produced by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with Lowes Foods as the title sponsor.

The festival features foods, wines and beers from across North Carolina, live music, a full carnival, and one of the largest displays of antique tractors and farm equipment in the Southeast. Individual tractor collectors and tractor clubs can join the display of more than 1,000 pieces of antique machinery at this year’s event. Tractors in working order also can participate in the daily tractor parade through the fairgrounds. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required.

On Saturday, May 16, the festival will host a bluegrass band competition as part of an all-day bluegrass celebration. The winning band will earn $500 in prize money, plus guaranteed paid performances at Lorraine’s Coffee House in Garner and PreddyFest 2015. The second-place band will receive $250, and $125 will be awarded for third place. Competition is open to all amateur bluegrass bands from North Carolina, but is limited to the first eight bands to register.

There also are a few outside spots available for independent food vendors, commercial vendors and organizations. Applications for outdoor vendors are due April 15.

More festival details, along with registration forms and vendor applications, are online at www.gottobencfestival.com.