RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The 2016 N.C. State Fair kicked off under difficult circumstances following Hurricane Matthew but organizers hope it serves as a welcomed distraction.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said Hurricane Matthew’s damage to the state’s agriculture is yet to be determined.

“We know there are many farm families in Eastern North Carolina that would be showing livestock of bringing their crops to the fair to show,” Troxler said. “Some of them won’t be able to get here.”

Troxler said he hopes the fair provides some stress relief from Matthew and its aftermath.

He is calling on fair attendees and people across the state to donate food for flood victims.

Fairgoers can bring five cans of Food Lion brand food to the N.C. State Fair on Oct. 20, to exchange for one free admission ticket.

• Hours of operation
• What’s new at the Fair in 2016?
• Ticket information
• Parking information

2016 fair attendance:

Oct. 13 – 40,449 (50,327 in 2015, a record)

Oct. 14 – 78,364 (90,954 in 2015)

Oct. 15 – 119,117 (126,666 in 2015)

Oct. 16 – 109,429 (97,906 in 2015)

Oct. 17 – 75,243 (63,989 in 2015)

Oct. 18 – 75,995 (69,687 in 2015)

Oct. 19 – 72,654 (71,348 in 2015)

Oct. 20 – 104,852 (104,887 in 2015)