The N.C. State Fair doesn't officially open until Friday. But once again this year, early birds can get a half-day peek on Thursday.

Preview Day starts at 3 p.m. Thursday, when gates open. The Midway and exhibition halls open at 3:30 p.m.

Here's the really good news -- Thursday's admission is cheaper. Adults (13-64) get in for $5 (as opposed to $7 on other days). Kids 6-12 get in for $1 (usually it is $2). As always, those 5 and younger and 65 and older get in free.

And if you like rides, you can get a $25 wristband once you enter the fair that will let you ride unlimited rides until midnight. Wristbands will only be sold from Midway ticket booths.

Tiaras were much in evidence at the fair's official opening ceremony this morning. Miss North Carolina, Raleigh's own Amanda Watson, was on hand along with Miss North Carolina Pre-Teen, Maya Bryant, of Durham.

Completing the trio of pageant winners was Terri Lyda, of Hendersonville, the 2008 Global US Woman. Additionally, Lyda holds the international title Global American Woman, also a competition sponsored by Myrtle Beach-based Global Pageant US.

 Not wearing a tiara was Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who said the day's gloomy weather and the tough economy shouldn't stop people from celebrating the $70 billion contribution that agriculture makes to North Carolina every year.

"We have more and more citizens that don't know anything about agriculture," Troxler said before presiding over a ribbon-cutting ceremony.