N.C. State Fair has a green feel

A number of environmentally friendly measures being undertaken

RALEIGH – During the N.C. State Fair, the fairgrounds in West Raleigh can best be compared to a small city. With good weather, more than 750,000 people will likely cross through the gates during the Fair’s 10-day run.

Like most cities in North Carolina today, the Fair will be doing its part for water conservation, and it will also feature a number of other environmentally friendly measures.

Following are some highlights of the Fair’s green efforts:

Water conservation measures enacted. The waterfall will not run during the Fair. Vendors and exhibitors are being advised of water restrictions in the area and are being asked to conserve.
Midway generators will be powered by a B20 soy biodiesel blend this year. The N.C. Soybean Producers Association and the N.C. State Fair is teaming with midway provider Powers Great American Midway and Monson Oil Co. of Cary to fuel the generators. A total of 8,000 gallons of B20 is expected to be used. In 2006, midway generators ran on a B5 blend and performed the same as petroleum diesel with fewer emissions. For additional information, contact Charles Hall, N.C. Soybean Producers Association, (919) 839-5700, or Charlie Belknap, Powers Great American Midway, (813) 503-0280.
Compact fluorescent bulbs will be given out in the Our Land Our Legacy tent as a part of the “Change A Light NC” campaign sponsored by public and private agencies. A total of 10,000 bulbs, or 1,000 a day, will be given away to fairgoers. Contact Tom Mather, N.C. Division of Air Quality, (919) 715-7408.
Biodiesel production will be showcased Oct. 17 and 18 and Oct. 20 and 21 from 12:30-7:30 p.m. as part of the Triangle Clean Cities alternative fuel vehicle display near the Village of Yesteryear. Representatives from Wake Technical Community College will bring a biodiesel production unit to show how recycled vegetable oil is turned into a usable fuel. Fairgoers can also check out eight alterative fuel vehicles on loan from state agencies, towns and businesses. Contact Stephanie Minker, Triangle Clean Cities, at (919) 946-5570 or Tobin Freid at (919) 741-0613 for more.

Cardboard recycling goes on nightly throughout the grounds. This marks more than five years that this recyclable product has been collected. Waste Industries of Raleigh is collecting the cardboard.
Vegetable oil used for cooking on the fairgrounds will be collected recycled by Biologix of the Triangle of Cary. Contact Van Kloempken, (919) 696-4572.
Pavement taken up during the parking lot renovation beside the Scott Building was crushed and reused as a base under the new pavement, keeping the material from being hauled to a landfill. Contact Wesley Wyatt, State Fair manager, (919) 733-2145.
The State Fair recently received a grant from the N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University to purchase two neighborhood electric vehicles to replace gas-powered pickup trucks used on the fairgrounds. These vehicles have no tail pipe emissions, can be operated on streets and are charged through 110-volt outlets. They will be purchased after this year’s Fair. Contact Matt Daly, N.C. State Fair, (919) 971-2044.

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