Pitt County Fair aims to open tonight after rain delay

Heavy rain from a storm that pounded North Carolina's coast forced Pitt County Fair staff to cancel its opening night, but conditions are expected to improve as the event runs through Sunday.

Rain on Monday and Tuesday left standing water in the fairground's grassy parking area and in spots along its newly paved midway, said Fair Board Secretary Bob Sheck. He said the water was expected to dry for the fair to reopen Wednesday afternoon and treat patrons to food, games, rides and entertainment.

A storm system with tropical potential dumped between 1.25 inches and 2.75 inches of rain in Pitt County over the 48 hours prior to 10:43 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service reported. The USGS rain gauge at the Town Common reported 1.32 inches over 48 hours as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The likelihood of rain subsides for the remainder the week, although up to a 50 percent chance was expected Thursday, according to the Weather Service. Friday through Sunday are expected to be mostly sunny.

The same forecast for Thursday-Saturday calls for high temperatures in the low 80-degree range with lows dipping into the 60s. Sunday's high was expected to be 78 degrees.

"The rest of the week really looks fabulous," Sheck said. "I think we're going to have a real bang-up event out here for the rest of the week."

The fair's newly paved midway was to be dedicated Tuesday in honor of Franklin Delano Smith, a longtime member of the American Legion and past fair board president. Smith died in November at age 73. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

"He was one of the instrumental players in getting this (paving) project off of the ground," Sheck said of Smith.

The fair will feature surveillance cameras this year to provide additional security, on top of a private team and the oversight of the Pitt County Sheriff's Office, Sheck said. Incidents have required law enforcement response in the past. Two teens were stabbed in 2022.

"We don't anticipate any issues like we've had in previous years," Sheck said. "We're kind of on to the methods that these kids are using to raise havoc."

The fair will open through Sunday at 3910 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway. Gates open at 4 p.m. through Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The fair closes at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and at 7:45 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 at the gate and parking is free.

More information is available at pittfair.com.