I don't think it would be legal to carry into the county fair if anyone is charged admission to be there or if they sell alcohol for consumption.
I keep reading that guns are not allowed on state-owned property, but I can't find the law on that. NCGS 14-269.4 mentions three specific state buildings and any court of the General Court of Justice; there's no general prohibition of carry or possession on state-owned property. Is it prohibited by some other law?
Regarding churches... guns are prohibited with very few exceptions on educational property and in schools. "Educational property" is defined as "Any school building or bus, school campus, grounds, recreational area, athletic field, or other property owned, used, or operated by any board of education or school board of trustees, or directors for the administration of any school. "School" is defined as "A public or private school, community college, college, or university."
Churches have educational programs all the time, but that doesn't qualify them as educational property nor as a school as defined in the statutes. There's no mention of churches in any NC gun laws that I have found. Note that some churches are also private schools and would therefore fall under the school prohibition.
While I'm at it, I've also read that funerals are no carry zones. NCGS 14-277.2 says, in part, "... any parade, funeral procession, picket line, or demonstration upon any private health care facility or upon any public place owned or under the control of the State or any of its political subdivisions .... It doesn't say funerals, and it doesn't say all funeral processions. I interpret this to mean that possession is only prohibited during a funeral procession on private health care facilities or state or local government owned property. A funeral at the local church does not qualify as either. Actually, a funeral is not a funeral procession, so it doesn't really matter where it is.
I believe the statute was designed to prevent carrying at public funeral processions, such as one given in honor of a fallen soldier, police officer, fire fighter, or other public figure.
And one last thing. Concealed carry in banks is prohibited, but open carry is not.
Someone please set me straight if I've missed something; I feel like I read a lot of "incomplete" information on where carrying is and isn't allowed.
This stuff can be confusing. I just want to carry and be left alone.