N.C. State Fair hopes to attract record visitors with new foods, rides and safety precautions

The animals, the rides, the deep-fried food are all beloved state fair staples.

And all potentially harmful.

The 145th renewal of the North Carolina State Fair, dubbed “A Bumper Crop of Fun!” begins today at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

Attendance has topped 1 million for two consecutive years, and fair officials say they hope to draw record crowds at this year’s event.

But after an E. coli outbreak linked to a livestock building infected 25 people at the 2011 fair, changes needed to be made, said fair spokesman Brian Long.

Since last fall, state public health officials have been working with the N.C. Department of Agriculture to prevent future outbreaks.

“People won’t be as close to the animals as in the past,” Long said.

To keep attendees at a safer distance, pedestrian walkways were directed away from the animals and nearby food vendors were relocated, he said.

“We’re trying to eliminate any crossover,” he said.

Despite the precautions, fairgoers are still permitted to visit designated petting zoos.

To encourage better sanitation on site, Long said fair staff have also added new hand washing stations and more visible signs.

Julie Henry, spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said hand washing is the most effective way to prevent illnesses of any kind.

“We can’t stress the importance of hand washing enough,” she said.

Henry said there is always a risk of bacteria transmission with animals, but patrons should be safe with the proper precautions.

“We don’t want to discourage people from taking the opportunity (to enjoy the animals),” she said.

Deep Fried DeLites

Among the new additions to the menu is the deep-fried Caramel DeLite Girl Scout cookie, a joint creation between Raleigh-based S2 Concessions and the Pines of the Carolinas Girl Scouts chapter.

It will make its debut in conjunction with this year’s 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

Scott Strother, owner of S2 Concessions, said he experimented with many Girl Scout varieties, including Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Patties, before choosing the Caramel DeLite — N.C.’s best selling Girl Scout cookie.

The caramel-coated vanilla cookies topped with coconut and chocolate will be coated in powdered sugar and deep fried, Strother said. A tray of three cookies will cost fairgoers $5.

“You’ll be getting plenty of sugary product,” he said.

He said the Deep Fried Caramel DeLite will likely be exclusive to this year’s fair.

Bacon-covered cinnamon rolls will also headline concession stands at this year’s fair.

Deep-fried foods are always one of the most popular fair attractions — but their health concerns are often overlooked.

Linda Adair, nutrition professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, said the foods are not necessarily detrimental to one’s health — as long as they are an infrequent indulgence.

“None are good for you to eat, but they’re not especially harmful once a year,” she said.

Adding two new thrills

Two new rides will join the 100-plus midway attractions this year — the Genesis and the Rock Star. Both can hold more than 20 passengers and feature a rotating arm.

Marc Janus, ride operator for Powers Great American Midways, said the space-themed Genesis is a more gentle ride.

The guitar-shaped Rock Star ride is geared toward teens and adults, Janus said. The N.C. State Fair is one of the first venues in the country to feature the Rock Star.

While ride safety is always a concern, Janus said certified inspectors are constantly on site monitoring the rides.

In the seven years that Powers has provided the fair’s rides, there have been no serious accidents, Janus said.

“We’re proud of our good record of safety,” he said.

The state fair will run Oct. 11-21 from 8 a.m. to midnight daily, weather permitting.

Contact the desk editor at state@dailytarheel.com.