With a picture perfect blue sky background and gentle summer breeze, Madeline Ligenza, Mistress of Ceremonies, opened the 2011 Carbon County Fair by warmly welcoming everyone.

Attorney Greg Mousseau gave the invocation, thanking God and being grateful for the community in which we live and our troops who sacrifice and fight for our freedoms that allow us to gather in His name.The Panther Valley JROTC, under the direction of Sgt. Joseph Jordan, raised the American flag, with area veterans organizations and Luzerne County Rolling Thunder as members of the honor guard. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Martha Moyer, all dressed in patriotic red, white and blue, sang the "Star Spangled Banner."Ligenza introduced the Fair's special guests:*State Representative Lou Barletta-"The Carbon County Fair continues to get bigger and better every year. May we continue to be blessed so we can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and as we enjoy the food and fun let us remember all our men and women who are fighting for us so we can continue to have affairs like this. God bless and God bless America;"*Senator David Argall-"I should just say 'Ditto' to what Lou just said. And I'm proud to represent you and Carbon County and the Carbon County Fair."*Representative Doyle Heffley said he was honored to be at the fair. "The Lions are doing a great job, taking this field and turning it into this great fair. I remember as a kid when the Carbon County Fair was held in Lehighton. Now my family and I have been coming to the Fair faithfully since it began here five years ago."*Carbon County Commissioners, Wayne Nothstein, William O'Guerk and Charles Getz offered their best wishes for a great fair. Getz thanked the Lions and Lioness Clubs for putting the fair together. "And if you get the chance, visit the livestock area. Come see the livestock auction on Saturday. These animals are just beautiful. The 4H kids have done a great job with them. Come to the horse show and listen to the entertainment."*Jesse Mendez, supervisor of Lower Towamensing, "Home of the Carbon County Fair. I hope everyone has a wonderful time. God bless our troops and God bless America."*Scott Dudley, Lions District Governor 14-U congratulated the Carbon County Fair. "If something goes wrong, it's my fault. If all goes well, then I'm hoping for a prosperous fair."*Angela Mimms, Lions Second Vice District Governor said it was her first year at the Carbon County Fair, "but not my last. I hope it's a great success."Ligenza introduced the CCF directors and Lions and Lioness Clubs to the audience. They are: Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Joseph Herzog, Earl Reabold, Richard Whiteman; Palmerton Lions Michele Fredericks, Mark Green, Robert Lutz; Mahoning Township Lions Alfred Feurerstein, Wally Hrinko, Tom Zimmerman IV; Lehighton Area Lioness and Lions Barbara Christopher, Pamela Gothard, Alicia L. Shutack-Silliman; Franklin Township Lions Dorette Gombert, Joel Christman; West Penn Township Lions Joseph Bednarik, Rae McAvoy, Leroy Wentzel; Jim Thorpe Lion and Lioness Madeline Ligenza, Marisa Rossino, Frank Rossino; Agriculture Deanna Cunfer, Mindy Graver, Kristin Simmons."We have many many volunteers so dedicated to the Fair. The hours they put in are astronomical," said Ligenza.Two of those volunteers were recognized for their dedication as the Fair's 2011 Volunteers of the Year award, Judy Kemmerer and Robert Lutz.Diamond Level Sponsors were recognized by Robert Silliman, CCF president. They are: Blue Mountain Ski Area ("The land the Fair is on is owned by them. They're always here for us); Carbon County Commissioners ("Always here for us"); Cheng Law Office, ("Jenny gives us her legal services"); Country Inn & Suites; Service Team Country Junction ("Grateful to Jim and Jan"); Cressley's Green House ("Take care of our landscaping"); Horsehead Resource Development Company ("I keep asking and they keep helping"); Dale's Concessions ("I count on Peanut a lot"); Hawk's Water Hauling Services ("One of those who likes to remain behind the scenes"); Paul's Garage ("The Strohls put on our demolition derby and do a great job for us"); Pencor Services, Inc. ("Fred Reinhard has been with us for many years. I'm hoping he never says 'No.'"); Reiner Accounting ("Do a great job for us"); Morning Call ("With us for six years and hope it's 26 more years").Silliman also recognized Herman Bollinger and said "This man is a diamond in the rough. He's always here when I need him. He's the Excavating Engineer and we'd be lost without him."Ligenza said that there was a dual purpose this year at the fair. One was to honor the Fair Queen and the other was to pay homage to Leon (Bupp) Mertz, who passed away April 7, 2011.Silliman gave a very emotional tribute to Mertz. A large picture of him sitting in a golf cart was in front of the podium."I knew him for over 20 years. He was like a father to me. It would have been harder to start up this fair if he hadn't been here to help. He put more hours in this fair than I did. He was our caretaker, he cut the grass, helped assemble the bleachers. When I would talk about a project, he'd say I was crazy but he was always the first one to be here to help."He said that since work had started on this year's fair, everyone noticed a friendly black crow that was always around but would steal things like bolts."We're convinced it was Bupp, reincarnated, making sure everything's going well with the set up," said Silliman.He read a beautiful tribute to Bupp, written by his grandson, Joshua Mertz, in which some of what he said was, "My grandfather, the fighter that he was, lost his fight today. He contributed to the man I am today more than any other person. My work ethic, sense of humor, creativity, my morals, even that nasty little ability to hold a grudge, came from Pap. He taught me to be tough yet I've seen a simple good deed bring tears to his eyes. He was a great man."Several members of Bupp's family were present as a new Fair bench was dedicated to him. Silliman said he wouldn't be surprised if that black crow would be found sitting on the bench from time to time.Attorney Mousseau gave a benediction, thanking God for all our blessings, asking Him to bless the young ladies of the Carbon County Fair Queen and court and keep them safe as they represent the fair and this county. Martha Moyer closed the program singing "God Bless America."Everyone dispersed to enjoy all the delicious food, exciting rides and amazing exhibits and vendors that the Fair has to offer.Many made their way back to the main stage to hear Nicole Donatone perform at 7 and 9 p.m.Nicole, who has been compared to the legendary Patsy Cline, has opened for stars such as Willie Nelson, Connie Smith, John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Byrd, Sammy Kershaw, Restless Heart, and Randy Travis. Nicole recently performed at the AT&T Pavilion Pre Show before the Keith Urban and Jake Owen Concert in Philadelphia.Nicole's first original album as been released, titled "If You Knew" recorded at Ron Fairchild Music in Tennessee. It offers a reflection of her early experiences. "My songs are about the puzzle pieces of life. Both the good and the bad, they make us who we are and inspire who we become. That's country music. I chose every song on the album because I could relate to it or had special meaning to me. I'm sure they'll touch the hearts of my fans, too."She sang most of those songs for the Fair's audiences, including her title song, "If You Knew," and "I Could Be You" along with country's favorites Mary Chapin Carpenter's "I Feel Lucky," The Wreckers "Leave the Pieces," Carrie Underwood's "I Told You So," Sugarland's "All I Wanna Do," and Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" and many more.Nicole is a graduate of Northampton Community College where she majored in Radio/TV Communications and received the prestigious Marconi Award for Academic Excellence. She presently hosts her own radio show at Penn's Peak Radio.Silliman hopes everyone comes out to visit the 2011 Carbon County Fair this week."It's the biggest and best its ever been and the weather is going to be great."The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks show that lit up the sky and sent fair goers home happy they came.The Fair is open Thursday-Sunday, 3-11 p.m. Admission is $5, children 10 and under are free. There is free parking and free entertainment.Thursday is Children's Day with a bicycle give-away at 8 p.m. On the Main Stage will be Remember When at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Demolition Derby begins at 7 p.m.Friday features the Cramer Brothers on the Main Stage at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Brooke Unger will be on at 8 p.m. and the Antique Field and Stock Tractor Pull begins at 6 p.m. in the arena.Saturday Penn's Peak Radio and TVDJ "The Doctor" will begin entertaining at 5:30 p.m. Ryan Pelton, the "World's Greatest Elvis Impersonator" will be on the Main Stage at 7 and 9 p.m. Demolition Derby in the arena will begin at 6 p.m.Sunday the Horse Show begins at 8:30 a.m. The Lehigh Wrestling Show begins at 4 p.m. and the Tracy Lee Band on the Main Stage is at 4:30 p.m. The Ryan Pelton and The Difference Band Variety Show is at 7 and 9 p.m.