With gas prices dropping, it looks like the early opening of the N.C. State Fair was a financial hit for those running the midway.

Plenty of crowds came to enjoy the bonus offerings of special ride discounts.

For the Bell family, coming to the fair Thursday was the right move, because they won a ton of loot; everything from a set of glassware to a giant stuffed animal.

“We couldn't lose,” exclaimed Braxton Bell, as he lugged half of the family’s winnings around the fairgrounds.

His little daughter Samantha was thrilled because she now owns a stuffed animal 10 times her size.

“I won it at a water game. I call him  'Pinky Ruffy,'” she said proudly.

“We won all the games we played,” said Braxton, who came to the State Fair with his family today because he worried the weekend weather might not be as pleasant as Thursday’s mild conditions.

But, there were some losers on opening day. Business at the eating establishments along what is known as "Non-Profit Row” was virtually non-existent.

“On the lower side of the fairgrounds, they gave away $25 dollar tickets for all day rides,” said Bill Booth with the Apex Lions club. “That's moved a lot of the walking traffic to that area and as you can see we have no business.”

The Lion’s Club restaurant, along with the adjoining restaurants belonging to churches, senior citizens and other charitable groups were all suffering the same fate.

Without foot traffic they can't make the money they need for their charitable works. Booth and the others in Non-Profit Row hope the foot traffic returns soon.

Meanwhile, foot traffic wasn't the only traffic trouble. Throughout the afternoon into the early evening roads leading to the area were jammed.

That’s because the N.C. State Fair's early opening conflicted with the N.C. State football game. But despite the traffic tangle, the fair continued to bring folks in.