You may remember that Josh Shaffer wrote about Todd Dawson's giant 282-pound watermelon a few weeks ago -- the one that broke a state record and was only 9 pounds shy of breaking a world record. That melon, grown in Garner, is on display at the N.C. State Fair in Expo Center, along with the Fair's blue ribbon giant pumpkin.

The pumpkin, weighing in at 522.8 pounds didn't break any records, but it's a crowd pleaser. All day long, folks perch on a bench in front of the pumpkin to have their picture taken near the massive gourd. Johnny Tolle, who minds the giants and answers questions about them from fairgoers, says the all-time pumpkin record in North Carolina is 1,256 pounds, and that last year's pumpkin was over 800 pounds. Tolle says the weather this year wasn't ideal for growing pumpkins of the extra humongous variety. The prize pumpkin was grown by Susie Zuerner from Henderson County.

The N.C. State Fair art exhibit had about 2,500 entries this year and awarded an estimated 112 ribbons for groups ranging from elementary school students to professional artists.

The Best in Show prize for State Fair Scene (above) went to Edwin B. Jenkins of Raleigh. Shirl Keith, the hostess of the exhibit inside the Kerr Scott Building, said the 80-year-old amateur artist has been entering art for at least 20 years and this is his first big prize. She said his reaction when he won was: "Finally!"

Saturday’s attendance at the N.C. State Fair was a whopping 146,635, bringing the running total to 903,674. Another day today of gorgeous weather should put attendance over 1 million.

Fair spokesman Brian Long says that pretty much assures this year's fair will be the second-most attended ever. Last year's fair broke records with 1,091,887.

Elizabeth Caldwell of Zebulon won 7 blue ribbons in this year's N.C. State Fair cooking competitions, along with 2 red ribbons and 1 white. (See list of entries below). She was kind enough to share two of her blue ribbon recipes with us here.

The first is a pound cake recipe handed down from her mother. This year is the first time she entered the recipe. The second is a "Baby Ruth" candy recipe she entered this year for the third time. "Baby Ruth" won nothing the first year, 3rd place the second year, and 1st place this year.

Click below for recipes.

Yesterday's N.C. State Fair attendance was the second highest for the second Friday of the fair in 25 years. 94,314 attended the Fair on October 21, fewer than last year's record of 105,073 but more than the previous 2009 record of 90,166.

State Fair spokesman Brian Long says with good crowds today and tomorrow, the fair could end up with its second-highest attendance total ever, trailing only last year’s record of 1,091,887.

Reports that Steph's Strawberries at the N.C. State Fair might be wrapping up their last year have been greatly exaggerated. Or least not totally approved by all members of management.

Arnold Emmons, one half of the Arnold and Stephani Emmons of Person County who run Steph's Strawberries, posted a comment on this blog earlier in the week indicating the couple might be looking at their last year at the fair. The problem is, Arnold hadn't really discussed that with Stephani.

When I asked Stephani this morning about the possibility of this being their last year, she had no idea what I was talking about. I explained the blog item and she summoned her husband. Arnold grinned sheepishly and said, "I said 'maybe' didn't I?"

Stephani said they've had their stand at the fair for 28 years and plan to be back next year, selling homemande strawberry shortcakes, bloomin' onions, chocolate covered bacon, and Frito pies. Their stand is across from the Village of Yesteryear, beside the 4-H Children's Barnyard. They usually have a giant inflatable strawberry atop their stand, but their motor is busted today.

If you do stop by and get a shortcake (they are delicious), be advised that they have a little bit of a story behind them this week. Stephani said they ran out of shortcakes so she stopped by the North Point Kroger near the Eno River State Park Tuesday night to buy more flour, and was robbed at knife point leaving the store. Stephani wasn't hurt, but the stand had to close down on Wednesday so they could get all their locks changed and take care of some other business.

The World's Smallest Woman is not only real and alive (and really small), she's also kind of charming and a little sad.

I went in to check it out right after Jasmine, 20, from Selma exited. I got the lowdown from her before heading inside myself.

Was it a live woman?

"She's not just alive, she's lively!" Jasmine said. "She may be tiny sitting in that little box, but she's just as real as me and you." (Forgive my skepticism, I had just been here.)

Was she little?

Jasmine: "I could pick her up like she was my little niece. I've never seen anyone that small."

What's she like?

"She's humble and nice," Jasmine said. "She'll tell you all about her life, anything you ask."

You mean, you talk to her? Suddenly, I wasn't sure I wanted to go in.

We have the recipes for the winners in Friday's "Live Well with Lean Beef" contest at the N.C. State Fair. All entries had to include eat least 3 oz of beef. The contest was sponsored by the N.C. Cattlemen's Beef Council.

The winning recipes were Healthy Skirt Steak over Farro Salad; Vegetable Stuffed Beef Rolls; and Cajun Stuffed Beef with Kale, Potatoes, and Apricot Sauce.

Don't miss our stories today on N.C. State Fair first-timers and lifers, and on attendants who keep charge of fair restrooms.

And one of the coolest things I've seen in awhile: photographer Travis Long's gallery of iPhone Hipstamatic images from the fair.

Below are the winning recipes from the Pecan Recipe at the N.C. State Fair. The contest took place on Thursday. Winning recipes were Cheesy Pecan Cranberry Crisps; Pecan, Sausage and Squash Crumble Pie; Pecan Pimento Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels, and Pecan Cranberry Casserole.

The competition was sponsored by the N.C. Pecan Association