RALEIGH, N.C. – Al’s French Fries has been a staple at the NC State Fair for the last 60 years. When the pandemic hit, the business knew it was going to be a different kind of year.

“We had a good hunch with the way things were shutting down, the restrictions that were going on, that it would be tough to have a fair,” said Jason Anderson, part owner of the family business.

The N.C. State Fair is currently holding a food event at the fairgrounds even though the fair itself is canceled. Anderson says they simply didn’t have enough time to prepare.

“We were really interested in it, but there is a lot of behind the scenes work that people don’t realize that goes on setting up these booths,” Anderson said. “It takes us quite a bit of time. We really wanted to do it, but with the time that was given, we just didn’t have that option this year.”

Although each member of the business has another full-time job, they are still seeking out new ways to get the fries to the public in the near future.

“Honestly, our future plans are to set up a food truck, so definitely like us on Facebook, you will be able to see a little bit more activity and see where we are going to be set up in the near future,” Anderson said.