Food, Fish mark first full fair day

Thousands flocked to opening day at the North Carolina State Fair Friday for traditional treats.

Those present early in the evening got to enjoy and impromptu concert by WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel and a friend.

For some, the fair is an annual tradition.

Cecil Rich first came to the fair at the age of 12. The 81-year-old has his visit planned. "I like to ride the ferris wheel, eat ice cream and look at women," he said.

Cindy Silver has made the fair every year for the past 40. "I'm here with one of my girlfriends, Germaine, and we come out at least once a year, just to eat and walk around," she said.

Barbara Poole of Surf City used to bring her sons to the fair. On Friday, she was escorting her granddaughters.

"It means a lot to me," Silver said. "I enjoy coming here and have a ball doing it."

Elsewhere, it was the fried foods that drew eager eaters, among them WRAL's Ken Smith.

Ken and Renee Chou tasted a seasonal treat – pumpkin funnel cake.  

Then it was on to the deep-fried delights. The gummy bears look like a "battered blob," Renee said, but they taste like cherry pie. "Very sweet, pretty good," she said.

Finally, it was the much-lauded deep-fried Cowtales. The caramel middle makes this sticky treat on a stick, Renee said.