Tickets and Flea Market Tables
Now on Sale!

Experience the Largest All-Indoor Hamfest
on the East Coast
NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC, April 4, 2026
Brought to you by the
Raleigh Amateur Radio Society

Features

All Indoors, Climate Controlled
100,000 Sq. Ft. (about the same size as Huntsville)
Commercial Dealer Booths and Tables
Huge Flea Market with 230+ Tables
Drive Up to Your Booth or Table for Set-Up and Takedown
Get Licensed or Level-Up at our Free License Exams
Door Prizes!
ARRL Division and Section Forums
QSL Card Checking at the ARRL Booth
Educational Forums
Satellite Demo
Communications Vehicles Static Display
SKYWARN® Spotter Training
Talk-In on 146.64 MHz -0.6 offset, no tone
FREE PARKING!

When & Where

April 4, 2026

8:00 AM — 3:00 PM

The Jim Graham Building
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Raleigh, NC
See here for directions

Door Prizes!

Grand Prize

Yaesu FTDX10 HF Radio

First Prize

Yaesu FTM-510DR ASP FM/C4FM
Dual Band Mobile

“Early Bird” Prize

ICOM IC-2730A Dual Band Mobile

Volunteer Prize

Yaesu FT-70DR Dual Band Handheld Radio

PLUS! Hourly drawings for other fabulous prizes!

See the Door Prizes page for details. Complimentary tickets are not eligible for prize drawings (except that RARSfest Volunteers are eligible for the Volunteer Prize as described).

Cousin's Confections has food and beverages for sale in the restaurant area. Breakfast – Biscuits (Sausage, Bacon, or Ham), assorted Danish, assorted Juices, and fresh brewed Coffee. Lunch – Chicken Tenders, Italian Sausage, Burgers, Hot Dogs, BBQ Pork Sandwiches, assorted Wraps, Tater Tots potatoes, Soft Drinks, and Lemonade. The restaurant opens at 7:30 AM so people waiting in line before the hamfest starts can get a beverage and a snack while they are waiting. Once the hamfest starts at 8:00 AM, the restaurant is accessible only from the show floor.

General Admission

$10 during the “Early Bird” period from January 30 through March 28 — Click here to buy online!
There will be a special prize drawing for people who buy their tickets during the “Early Bird” period
$12 after March 28 and at the door
If you bought general admission tickets (without flea market tables) during the “Early Bird” period, pick up your wristband at the “Will Call” table at the right-hand main entrance to the Jim Graham Building
Admission for attendees age 16 and under continues to be complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult
Enter the hamfest through the main entrances at the northwest end of the Jim Graham Building

See here for details and to order on-line from January 30 through March 28, 2026.

Commercial Area

For commercial sellers of new amateur radio and related equipment, and non-commercial exhibitors
Located in a prime traffic area at the front of the show floor
Attractive 10' x 10' booth space or eight-foot tables in a custom arrangement (space permitting)
Power drops included (bring your own extension cords, distribution boxes, etc.)
Reasonably priced
Easy setup and take-down—drive to your space!
Use the load-in (a/k/a "Flea Market") entrance to the Jim Graham Building
No vehicles will be allowed to enter the building after 7:30 AM or before 3:00 PM on Saturday

See here for details, including how to request space in the Commercial Area. The deadline for ordering space in the Commercial Area is March 28, 2026, one week prior to RARSfest.

Flea Market

For clubs and non-commercial sellers of used amateur radio and related equipment only! (No gutters, jewelry, crafts, candles, macramé, etc., please!)
8' x 2.5' table with two chairs
$25 each from January 30 through March 28
You may purchase tables at $30 each at the load-in (a/k/a “Flea Market”) entrance on the west side of the Jim Graham Building on Friday, April 3, from noon until 6:00 PM, and on Saturday, April 4, the day of the show, from 6:00 AM until 2:00 PM, subject to availability
120 VAC Power—$25 per connection. Anything you plug into a Fairgrounds outlet counts as a connection and is going to cost you $25, even your phone charger, so bring your own power strips and extension cords (at least 50 feet)
Prices do not include admission. You must purchase general admission tickets separately.
Use the load-in (a/k/a "Flea Market") entrance to the Jim Graham Building
No vehicles will be allowed to enter the building after 7:30 AM or before 3:00 PM on the day of the show