Plan your Fair visit for discount days

Among the most popular times to visit the N.C. State Fair is the annual Food Lion Hunger Relief Day when five cans of food can be exchanged for free admission. Over the years, the donations have amounted to more than 2 millions pounds of food for the needy.

Hunger Relief Day will take place Thursday, Oct. 23, this year.

For those who can't wait to get in the gates, the Fair preview day, Thursday, Oct. 16, offers discounted admission ($7 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12) and unlimited-ride wristbands for $28.

Gates open at 3 p.m. that day and rides run until midnight.