RALEIGH -- The North Carolina State Fair kicks off in Raleigh Friday morning. Temperatures are expected to drop, but the heat and drought have taken a toll on the State Fair already.

In 90 degree heat, workers are scrambling to set up rides, food stands and exhibits. Tucked in the back corner of the fairgrounds, garden exhibitors are especially really feeling the heat.

"Getting the plants ready with it being 100 degrees this summer, these things don't grow overnight. They've been growing all summer," exhibitor Dick Dietrich said.

The State Fair has its own pond and well to supply water, not only to the garden but all over the fairgrounds, but it looks a lot like lakes across the state.

Fair organizers are asking vendors to cut back on washing tents and exhibits.

"The other thing is the livestock barn. We're asking people to make sure they have nozzles on the hoses as as they wash these animals every day," explained Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

Those who desperately need the water are using a little strategy.

"What I'll do is come out and water in the morning, keep an eye on them. They'll lay down during the day. As long as they're standing back up at night, they're fine, but if they're not standing up at night then you need to hit them again," Dietrich said.

As far as the heat, there is some relief in sight with temperatures dropping into the 70s this weekend.

"We need rain terribly bad all across North Carolina, but at the same time we want people to come and enjoy the fair," Troxler added. "If it does rain, we hope people will come walk around in the rain. It's certainly something they haven't seen in a long time. It would be a unique fair attraction."

It's a unique attraction desperately needed not only at the fairgrounds but all across the state.