Just beside Gate 11 at the State Fair is a semi-large tent. The tent looks like most other tents, but even at the entrance, most fairgoers can see something is different at this one.

"We are in a society now where we really need to be thinking green," said Wake Tech Dean Sammie Thornton. Thornton is volunteering at the Green NC tent, demonstrating how biodiesel works.

"Putting the product, used oil, in to the machine, adding ... something like lie as an activator, and 24 hours to 48 hours later, you got biodiesel," Thornton explained.

John Bentley, who was just visiting the fair, was intrigued by the demonstration.

He has a friend who uses biodiesel, and he believes bio-diesel is here to stay.

"We've got to do something to get away from the oil products that are coming from these foreign countries," Bentley said.

Inside the Green NC Tent, Debbie Linener was on a bicycle learning a real-life lesson about how to power conventional light bulbs.

"I've learned that this light bulb over here is the best light bulb, and my husband better go buy me some," Linener said, referring to newer compact florescent bulbs on display at the tent.

The tent also included solar panel demonstrations, a green scavenger hunt and even demo electric cars.

Related Links

1. N.C. Go Green