Lenovo Center responds to backlash for scheduling concert during State Fair

Thousands attended the State Fair on Saturday, along with a sold-out Sabrina Carpenter concert at the Lenovo Center.

What should have been a joyous day quickly turned into frustration for many due to severe traffic congestion.

The combination of fair traffic, ongoing construction near the fairgrounds, and concert traffic created a perfect storm of gridlock, leaving attendees trapped in their vehicles for extended periods.

Given the months of advance planning for this large-scale event, questions arise about the city’s preparedness to handle such challenges.

For those attending the State Fair, having a well-thought-out plan is crucial.

“We’re excited to try the new food options at the fair,” said Zoranda Williams, a fairgoer.

“I’m definitely going for the kettle corn,” added Linda Shelton.

However, navigating the fairgrounds has proven more difficult for some attendees this year.

WRAL News spoke with several event attendees and asked what motivated their decision to park and take the shuttle this time.

“We were trying to avoid the crazy traffic,” said Julian Rodriguez, a state fairgoer. “We found long lines of people opting for the park and shuttle at the Dogwood lot. The trick is getting here early before it fills up.”

“We thought it’d be an easier way to get in and out,” said Jill Dunn. “It can be a huge time drain otherwise.”

WRAL News asked Sgt. Marcus Bethea if it’s unusual for event attendees to be stuck in traffic for three hours.

“It’s unfortunate, and we don’t want that,” said Sgt. Marcus Bethea. “But we have to work with the situation we’re given.”

Delays from the Blue Ridge Road construction project and the concert at Lenovo Center have added to the congestion.

Sgt. Bethea also mentioned that the highway patrol has faced unexpected challenges this year.

“We’ve dealt with some severe weather events, and a lot of our personnel are still assisting in the western part of the state. Is it putting a strain on us? I’d say no—we’re prepared for these types of situations,” he said.

Drivers have also reported unexpected road closures, leading to further confusion and backups.

“When it comes to traffic, there’s no perfect solution,” Sgt. Bethea said. “We ask people to pay close attention to road signs and follow directions. Sometimes, we do have to temporarily close certain roads.”

Even Sabrina Carpenter commented on the traffic at her sold-out Lenovo Center concert.

“I was like, this traffic is crazy, but you guys still came to party tonight!” she said to the crowd.

Fairgoer, Julian Rodriguez suggested, “Maybe they should schedule things better or move the event to another location.”

Despite sending out alerts, the venue has faced criticism for holding the concert during the State Fair.

Lenovo Center management released a statement regarding the scheduling:

“Raleigh is fortunate to host world-class touring shows and the best State Fair in the nation. Each year, we strive to balance managing traffic and congestion while allowing as many people as possible to enjoy events at both Lenovo Center and the fairgrounds. We’re always looking to improve our processes during the Fair and will continue to do so.”

As the city continues to grow, the question remains whether it can handle the increasing demand for events and attractions.

“Post-COVID, this has been a gradual increase,” said Sgt. Knox. “We’ve seen the crowds getting bigger and bigger every year.”