A Pender County company will operate the midway at the North Carolina State Fair for the second year in a row.

Last month Powers Great American Midways operated the largest midway ever for the state fair with 113 rides. Under its contract, Powers paid the state $4-million from midway proceeds this year.

State regulations allow the state fair to make a one year contract with a carnival company without taking bids.

This summer's fair attracted a record crowd of almost 859,000 people. The 2008 State Fair is scheduled for October 17-26 in Raleigh.