The North Carolina State Fair is getting ready to open its gates Thursday. The 11-day event features rides, exhibits, livestock, and entertainment. The State Fair's Brian Long says there's always something new on the food front.
"We have a massive double caramel apple that's called a 'double decker doozy' that's been covered in chocolate and other candy and what not," explains Long.
"We have a pork barbecue and slaw egg roll. We have Krispy Kreme sloppy joes. Someone's going to try to fried ice cream this year. We have deep fried pink lemonade funnel cakes."
You might not have the stomach for the midway after that kind of fare, but there will also be athletic exhibitions to go with the standard attractions.
"Something called the Gantry Bike, which is like Cirque de Soleil meets Steam Punk, featuring aerialists working on an industrial stage-like structure," says Long. "We have the Hanson Family that does acrobatics. We have a canine show that does high-flying tricks with Frisbees."
Also, in the Expo Center, there'll be an exhibit called "can-struction," a model of Dorton Arena using more than 12,000 cans of food to highlight hunger in the state.
Fair parking is limited. Officials encourage using the Park 'N' Ride system for convenient drop-off at the gate, especially on weekends. Advance tickets are $7 for adults. Kids under six years of age get in free.