All Features | Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show

September 18-20, 2026

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

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Don't miss our BBQ Legends Showcase on the Fresh Ideas Stage Friday & Saturday!

Award-winning NC pitmasters show and tell their BBQ expertise including free samples on stage! Sam Jones BBQ shares whole-hog secrets Friday at 1pm & 3pm. Ryan Mitchell talks BBQ rib tips and his family's local legacy, appearing Saturday at 1 pm & 3pm.

Ryan Mitchell, BBQ Pitmaster & Co-Founder of True Made Foods

Appearing live TWICE on stage on Saturday, September 19th serving up samples!

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Ryan Mitchell, Ed’s only son, serves as the business and technological brain behind his father’s brand. As you might expect, from a very young age, Ryan began working in the Mitchell family restaurant. Long before the Pitmaster fame Ryan could be found by the side of his grandparents, Willie and Doretha Mitchell, day in and day out helping out in the small corner store off 301 HWY in Wilson. Although BBQ was the only way of life he knew, Ryan pictured a different path for this career: “Growing up, I rebelled against all of it because it was such hard work, it was a chore. Even though we owned the business, the social and racial elements were so hard for me to understand at that age. But the working was what my family used to keep me out of trouble. How I legally earned my sneaker and lunch money. Looking back it taught me so much responsibility and probably saved my life”.

After high school, Ryan charted his own course and attended East Carolina University to pursue his dreams of playing college football and earning a degree in Economics. He spent eight years working in commercial, and investment banking for some of the nation’s largest firms before he re-evaluated his professional life. After going through a major market crash and brutal lay-offs, Ryan felt it was time to leave his sixty hour a week desk job return to his roots and pursue his passion.

As the keeper of the family legacy, Ryan is quick to roll up his sleeves and cook with his Dad but spends the majority of his time managing the business-side of the Ed Mitchell brand. The dynamic duo that makes up this father and son team are always at the heart of everything he and his dad do. Ryan credits his father, grandfather, and two uncles Aubrey and Stevie Mitchell for giving him the skills to lead the next generation of BBQ enthusiast. Learn more about their stories here.

Ryan will be appearing on the Fresh Ideas Stage on Saturday, September 19th at 1pm & 3pm and serving up BBQ samples! Stage is located in the Jim Graham Building.

SAM JONES BBQ

Live on stage on Friday, September 18th with samples!

APPEARING LIVE:

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Sam Jones BBQ opened its doors in 2015 but the traditions that their restaurant was founded on began long before that. Around these parts, they know East North Carolina BBQ means cooking a whole hog over a wood-fired pit. As Sam Jones’ grandad used to say, “If it’s not cooked with wood, it’s not BBQ.” That’s how they feel, too, which is why they continue the legacy of whole-hog cooking, never compromising on quality and always doing it the right way. Today, you’ll find those old traditions mixed in with a few new ones they've cooked up over the years. They hope you’ll come by for a meal real soon because the best thing about cookin’ BBQ is the community it creates.

See Sam Jones BBQ live on the Fresh Ideas Stage Friday, September 18th at 1pm & 3pm! Located in the Jim Graham building.

Fresh Ideas Stage

Celebrity speakers, gardening talks, home improvement demos, and more!

GOATS ON THE GO

Learn about sustainable vegetation management & meet a few of the friendliest goats all three days!

PRESENTED BY:

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Meet some of the friendly, lovable goats from Goats On The Go: Raleigh-Durham! Stop by Booth 701 at the Raleigh Fairgrounds to pet and learn about these amazing animals that are helping local property owners tackle tough landscaping challenges.

Did you know you can hire hungry goats to clear overgrown vegetation and invasive plant species? Goats On The Go offers an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative to traditional land clearing, replacing noisy machinery and harsh chemical sprays with natural grazing. Their hardworking herds naturally remove unwanted brush, vines, weeds, and invasive growth without the use of chemicals, heavy equipment, or excessive labor.

Whether you're looking to reclaim an overgrown backyard, clear a wooded lot, or manage commercial and municipal land across the Triangle, these four-legged landscapers provide a safe, environmentally responsible solution. They’re even trusted by major local landmarks like Dix Park and the NC Museum of Art!

Visit their booth to meet the goats, learn about sustainable vegetation management, and discover how they can help transform your residential, corporate, or public property naturally! 🐐🌿

SAY IT WITH GLASS WORKSHOPS

Complimentary mosiacs workshops available daily!

PRESENTED BY:

WORKSHOP DETAILS & SCHEDULE

ASK A MASTER GARDENER

Fall is here and there's plenty to do in the garden!

PRESENTED BY:

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FOOD TRUCK COURTYARD

Enjoy food trucks and yard games daily between our two buildings in the courtyard!

PARTICIPATING TRUCKS:

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BRIGHT BEANS COFFEE COMPANY

Needing a coffee fix? Stop by Bright Beans Coffee Company's truck inside the Jim Graham building all three days of the show!

PRESENTED BY:

FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE

ELECTRIC GOLF CART TEST TRACK

Go green on the green! Test drive an EV golf cart at the show!

VISIT, STAMP, & WIN!

Get your stamp card at the show entrance for a chance to win a Dinner for Two!

CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT CARD FOR:

DETAILS & PARTICIPATING EXHIBITORS

KIDS' SCAVENGER HUNT

Kids 12 & under can have some extra interactive fun at the show as they mark off their scavenger hunt card & turn it in for a prize!

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TOUCH OF HOME MARKET

Unique finds, home decor, pantry provisions, gifts, teas, and treats!

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Show Features

Don't miss our BBQ Legends Showcase on the Fresh Ideas Stage Friday & Saturday!

Ryan Mitchell, BBQ Pitmaster & Co-Founder of True Made Foods

SAM JONES BBQ

Fresh Ideas Stage

GOATS ON THE GO

SAY IT WITH GLASS WORKSHOPS

ASK A MASTER GARDENER

FOOD TRUCK COURTYARD

BRIGHT BEANS COFFEE COMPANY

ELECTRIC GOLF CART TEST TRACK

VISIT, STAMP, & WIN!

KIDS' SCAVENGER HUNT

TOUCH OF HOME MARKET

FREE HERO ADMISSION

FREE TEACHER ADMISSION

NURSES ADMITTED FREE