Out in force, the NC Highway Patrol was scouring roads surrounding the state fair on its opening night.

Patrolmen wrangled pedestrians across busy intersections, and no traffic accidents were reported. Dressed in full regalia, officers were on every corner of major intersections and strategically placed to create crosswalks between gates and parking lots.

The highway patrol monitors all activity outside gates, namely traffic and pedestrians, while the Wake County Sherriff’s Department monitors action within gates.

“As usual, we have posts set up all around the event,” Trooper Eric Naylor said.

There are fewer troopers this year than last, according to Naylor.

“We have a few less this year as far as traffic enforcement. We have eliminated a few posts, so we need less officers,” Naylor said.

The Wake County EMS has responded to minor injuries, such as scraped knees, but nothing traffic related, according to paramedic Emily Owens. She has worked at the fair for about the past five years.

“I haven’t responded to any serious traffic accidents over the years,” Owens said. “When it rains, like it was earlier today, that can get worse. It gets slick, and people don’t really pay attention because they are looking for a place to