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Two buildings at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds will be renamed

Officials say the new names will better reflect the current uses of the former Annex and Education Building.

March 18, 2024 • 
Cambridge Wrege
People in the stands looking down at a stage. Graduates in red caps and gowns are seated facing the stage. Black curtains are behind the stage.

Officials stress that events like graduations will continue to be held in the Fairgrounds Arena.

Photo courtesy of the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds

Pay close attention the next time you attend an event at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. The names of two buildings are being changed.

The Fairgrounds Annex, also known as the Annex Ice Rink, will become the Fairgrounds Arena. It’s been open since 1989 — Wake Forest University bought the property from the city in 2013. The Carolina Thunderbirds will continue to host home games in the building.

The Fairgrounds Education Building will be renamed the Fairgrounds Event Center. The building opened in 1992 to house competitive entry exhibits for the fair. It now hosts expos + events like the annual HanesBrands Community Products Sale.

The buildings host a combined ~100 events each year with more than 500,000 guests. City officials pushed for renaming the buildings to better reflect their year-round uses. They also say it will make it easier to secure naming rights for the buildings in the future. The Public Assembly Facilities Commission signed off on the decision with a vote on Monday, March 18.