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Hundreds of hungry fairgoers smelled their way to the Pride of North Dakota tent Monday at the State Fair where they feasted on a grilled hot dog, potato chips and milk for $1 before being dazzled by 35 Pride of North Dakota companies who displayed, sampled and sold their various products throughout the day.

The 21st annual Pride of Dakota Day featured authors, artists, bakers, inventors, grillers, quilters, roasters, sewers and many other professions representing every corner of the state.

For fiber artist and "Pride" newcomer Teresa Perleberg, it was a day of firsts.

"I've only been a member for three or four months and this is my first event so I really didn't know what to expect," she said. "I've had a lot of interest so it's been good so far."

Owner of Bear Creek Design, Perleberg sells miniature animal sculptures and do-it-yourself kits for the craft of needle felting, a relatively new craft hobby that involves working wool into a soft, smooth thin layer by needle over a desired object. Keeping a simple business model, Perleberg uses the wool of her own sheep that she raises near her Fort Ransom home to make her objects.

Another first-time Pride of Dakota Day participant was Muriel Kisse, owner of MK Taylor Templates which creates custom quilts and placemats using a patented no-knot technique.

"I've been in business for more than 20 years but we just joined (Pride of ND) last year," she said, speaking of her business partner Betty Jean Mefling. "We are very pleased with our membership and the work of the organization."

It was a reunion of sorts for Pride of North Dakota-veterans Tim and Kim Knutson, owner of Red Rooster Coffee Co., based in Minot. It was the team's second time out for the annual event at the fair after a three-year absence.

"Our first year we really didn't have a clue as to what to do or expect," Tim Knutson said. "This year we were better prepared with signage and have a better layout which has helped us with business."

In the two hours after opening, Knutson said they had nearly sold out of their chocolate caramel kalhua ground coffee packages and sold several iced cold coffee drinks.

More than 400 companies across the state make up the Pride of North Dakota membership, which provides cooperative marketing and promotional events as well as educational opportunities at regional, national and international expositions.