The State Fair is Coming Back | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 7/18/2012

Preparations for the 46 annual North Dakota State Fair are ratcheting up.Today the fairgrounds were packed vendors, midway merchants and concession stand operators getting ready for opening day.

"We have to put up tents...like this...canopies..it`s a lot of hauling of metal and a lot of hard work," says Evelyn Morton, a party planner for the state fair.

It takes two days to set the stage for an event that draws thousands of people from all over the state. Last year, there was no setup because of the flood and the Murphy Brother`s Expedition had to bypass Minot and take their rides to the Fargo dome.

"We really counted on playing this fair. It`s a good financial fair for use and when the flood came through it was really hard for us not to come up here," says Cathy Murphy of Murphy Brother`s Expedition.

Murphy says they are hoping to make up for the lost year of business at the 2012 state fair. With a booming oil economy and because people missed out on all the fun the fair generates, Murphy is anticipating attendance to be way up next week.

"This is gonna be great..everyone is going to be happy that the fair is back..the state seems to be booming pretty good..with the oil fields going on..we are really excited to be here," says Evelyn Morton.

There are 48 attractions on the Midway and Murphy says `The Hard Rock` ride is new this year and it`s a one of a kind experience that fair goers won`t want to miss.

Also back are the concerts...agricultural exhibits... fair food and vendors hope the crowds also return to pre-flood levels.

Midway rides open this Friday at 11a.m. And all other carnival attractions get started at 1p.m.

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