WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — UPDATE: The Carolina Classic Fair has delayed its opening to Saturday at 9 a.m. after originally having plans to open Friday due to the threat of Hurricane Ian.
The Carolina Classic Fair has delayed their kick off to Saturday, just in time for the arrival of some of Hurricane Ian's impacts on the Piedmont.
The fair won't open until Saturday at 9 a.m. Event officials said the decision was made with the safety of guests in mind and comes on the heels of the State of Emergency announcement from Gov. Roy Cooper.
Crews spent the day, Tuesday, working to get some of the rides put together.
Regardless of the threat of wind and rain this weekend, organizers said gates will open everyday.
"The fair has been around for a long time and we have seen everything you could possibly imagine as far as weather coming through," said DJ Hargrave with the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.
Hargrave said this year, the state's second-largest agricultural fair will take place without any restrictions but…
"We're paying close attention to the forecast," he said.
With impacts from Hurricane Ian expected to spill into the Triad late-week, rain and wind could be a third wheel for fairgoers.
"It's unpredictable, but we're always used to making adjustments on the fly," Hargrave said.
Zachary Williams is the owner-operator of "The Struggle Bus."
"We will be celebrating our first year birthday party here. So we are excited to see a lot of faces, a lot of people, hopefully some returning customers," Williams said.
He hopes a little hot coffee will keep fairgoers warm on the potentially soggy weekend.
"I feel like if people are here and it's cold, and rainy, they are going to want some coffee. So they're going to come see me, so I'm not too scared of the weather in that regard," Williams said.
Meanwhile, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County office of Emergency Management is keeping a close eye on the forecast.
Director August Vernon said they will help the fairgrounds make the best operations decision.
"Some of this is like making a school closing decision. That is never an easy decision," Vernon said.
Hargrave said they will keep an eye to the sky throughout the 10-day event, but assures fairgoers that the show will go on.
"If we need to make adjustments on the midway with the rides, the aspects of the fear that are uncovered and outdoors. We will do so, but otherwise, the fair will still be open in an operation."
Organizers encourage you to keep a close eye on their social media pages for any schedule or operations changes.
The Carolina Classic Fair runs through October 9, 2022.