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 park.”

Thursday was a slow day, Owens said.

David Sasser of Western Wake Fire Rescue was stationed just inside Gate 11. His agency handles fire emergencies within the confines of the fair, but he and his colleagues work with the highway patrol.

“The highway patrol has a plan that they put together, and [they handle traffic] very effectively,” Sasser said.

Sasser outlined common problems attendees run into.

“People, as a general rule, are looking at the lights and are trying to figure out where to park. They aren’t paying attention to other vehicles or people crossing the street. They aren’t paying attention to troopers in the road. It’s a dangerous situation out here,” Sasser said.

The highway patrol works the fair from beginning to end. Sasser cautioned that by the end, troopers are worn out and attendees should do what they say and not get in their way.

“By the end of the fair, I would not mess with any trooper around here; they are ill as hornets,” Sasser said.

Joe Speranza , a senior in history education, paid $10 to park right across the street from the fairgrounds.

“It only took us about ten minutes to get here from Hillsborough Street. Traffic was nothing out of the ordinary,” Speranza said.

Since it was the first night, Speranza said patrolmen have not had to take much initiative to control a situation that will surely get worse.

“I don’t think they have had to work too hard yet. It’s only the first night, and [Friday] night and Saturday night will be much worse,” Speranza said.