If you're headed to the State Fair this weekend, stop by The News & Observer tent outside Dorton Arena and say hello.

Starting at 11 a.m., I'll be teaching FREE coupon classes Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The 30-minute classes, which will repeat throughout the day, will be a fast-paced abbreviated version of my regular three-hour seminars. I'll be teaching basic and advanced coupon techniques to help you save 50 percent to 75 percent on your weekly grocery bill.

Come prepared to have some fun. I'll take your coupon questions and I have some great giveaways lined up.

As a cheapskate, I'm tempted to tell you the best way to save money on the 2011 N.C. State Fair is to STAY HOME.

But I know I'd pretty much be run out of town, if not the state, for uttering such a thought. So I'm going to give you my best tips for holding on to as much of your hard-earned cash as possible while still enjoying/enduring your time at the fair.

The state vets are always on hand at the N.C. State Fair to take a series of steps to ensure animals on the fairgrounds are healthy.

The petting zoo population and other critters that can be touched are required to have a certificate proving they were given a clean bill of health by a veterinarian at least 30 days, and no longer than 12 months, prior to the fair.

The exhibited animals -- the cattle, sheep, pigs and the like -- that compete for blue ribbons and prizes, must pass through a veterinary inspection station at a side entrance to the fairgrounds where vets poke, prod and scrutinize the livestock in a manner only the an airport security inspector could appreciate.

The vets even check the “World’s Largest Alligator” and Sampson, “The World’s Tallest Horse.” How tall is he?

“Very,” said Karen Beck, one of a team of state veterinarians overseeing the health checks on animals at the fair, adding that Sampson’s owner shared a secret. “He said, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but his name’s not really Sampson.’”

-- Mark Johnson

Among the livestock and produce on display in the Expo Center, nothing draws a crowd like the baby pigs.

As an enormous sow lay on her side against the cage Friday morning, her dozen or so offspring alternately nursed, snoozed and pushed each other around.

The real crowd-pleaser, though, was the pile of piglets trying to nap in what looked like a big plastic food dish. Just when it looked like everyone was comfortable, another piglet would climb on top, wiggling into position so that another fell out the side, bringing laughter and the whirring of digital cameras.

The dozing donkeys and giant watermelons just couldn't compete with that.

- Richard Stradling

Forget the chocolate-covered bacon. What I can't wait to see at this year's fair is the L'Oreal Paris tent.

Manicures and make-overs at the fair? Skin analysis? Free make-up samples?

You betcha! It's all part of The Color Space, L'Oreal's 5,000-square-foot interactive "beauty pavilion" chock full of beauty tips and tricks.

I know, I know. Beauty isn't quite the word that springs to mind at the fair, what with all the tank tops, dirty sneakers and grease-covered fingers. If there's a place where you can go to let it all hang out and go-as-you-are, it's the N.C. State Fair (trust me, done it).

But this year, get ready for beauty services and freebies! (Honey, you get another sausage dog while I go get me some new blush!)

There also will be a manicure bar and special lighting area to see how light can change your hair and make-up tones. (ewww ... now that's more like the fair!) Look for special pricing on iconic L'Oreal products and $2 gift certificates that can be used at The Color Space or local retailers.

Here's a tip for you: Might be best to hit the tent before the Al's French fries, buttery corn on the cob and sausage with onions and peppers, especially if you're gonna get those nails done.

It takes a little while for fair folks to warm up on a chilly Monday morning. As the sausage guys prepare for the lunch crowd, the guess-your-weight people bark into the emptiness, and for the most part, the rides aren't too busy.

This morning, not long after 10, Seth Norwall's henna tattoo booth was one of the few Midway attractions gathering much of a crowd.

As Emily Kenyon and Kisha Maness of Ramseur got matching tattoos on their necks, a small group of aprehensive onlookers gathered to watch. The girls, both 17, came to the fair as part of Eastern Randolph High School's FFA day. (That's Future Farmers of America).

After handing over $8 and sitting still for about three minutes, Kisha proudly showed off her temporary tattoo. According to the translation provided inside the tattoo booth, the symbol on the girls' necks means "friendship."

In Chinese?

"As far as I know," said Kisha, smiling.

For her sake, let's hope that Norwall majored in Chinese.

DATA has opened a park-and-ride lot at the Heritage Square shopping center for its bus service to the State Fair in Raleigh.