Volunteer opportunities are now OPEN for the “NC State Fair Native Gardens”
The North Carolina Native Plant Society via the Reid “Triangle” Chapter has maintained a permanent native garden in the Flower Show area at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh for 18 years. In 2022 we added a new garden and information booth.
During the State Fair, October 17-27, 2024, NCNPS member volunteers will staff the gardens from 9 am to 8 pm, interacting with thousands of Fair visitors, educating them on the importance of native plants and promoting our mission to the public. Please join us in the garden during the 2024 State Fair. This is a volunteer opportunity for all members across the State. We have more volunteer shifts this year since we have been asked to stay in our booth until 8 pm. Consider taking several shifts or shifts on several days!
Volunteers will receive free admission to the Fair and a native plant. Parking options will be sent to those who sign up.
Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn’t work) to go to the signup sheet:
To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.
You will receive an email in early October from NCNPS detailing what you need to know about volunteering. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Fair and thank you for your enthusiastic support! If there is not a shift available for the time and date you are able to help at the Fair, you are unable to sign up or you have any questions; send Jackie Trickel an email at triangle@ncwildflower.org. Thank you for volunteering!
Volunteer opportunities at the NC State Fair gardens include:
- Greet visitors in the gardens or the booth, promote the importance of native plants and answer questions,
- Help with the native plant give away,
- Facilitate educational hands-on activities such as our Scavenger Hunt, Is it Native or Invasive Challenge and a new Oak Tree activity for kids,
- Oversee the Venus Fly Trap display and engage kids in a flytrap game,
- And assist others as needed.
You do not need to be a native plant expert or live in the Triangle area to help at the Fair. All members from any chapter across the state are welcome to join us in the gardens. Fair goers come from all over the state! We have many resources to help find answers to questions and there are always other volunteers around to help out. You simply need to bring enthusiasm and a desire to help others understand the importance of native plants and how they can get started.
Stop by to visit the nurseries while at the Fair!