The 165th edition of The Great Allentown Fair kicks off Tuesday and runs through Sept. 4 at the fairgrounds, located at 17th Street, between Liberty and Chew streets in Allentown.

During the week, the 100th anniversary of Camp Crane, the Allentown Fairgrounds' transformation into a World War I Army Ambulance Service training camp from 1917 until the war's end in 1919, will be commemorated with an educational display inside the Agri-Plex.Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, the Ambulance 255 Project, which produced a working 1916 Model T Ford replica of a World War I ambulance, will be on hand along with restoration experts.The fair introduces its first "Red, White & Thank You" Military Day Aug. 31. Veterans and active military receive free admission by showing valid military service ID at the gates. LCCC's Returning Adult and Veteran Services Department will welcome veterans, providing tokens of appreciation, information and a chance to win fair grandstand show tickets.Farm rootsRemaining true to its history, more than 1,000 farm animals will be located in Agri-Land. The competition is fierce for best of show at the Judging Tent, headquarters for livestock judging as well as events such as Barnyard Olympics, Pedal Push Tractor and Hay Bale Throwing contests.The tent is also home to the annual Lehigh County 4-H livestock sale on Sept. 2.Additional outdoor attractions include the 4-H Petting Zoo, an antique tractor display and Lil' Farm Hands, an activity center where children can play and learn what it's like to be a farmer.Agri-Plex contestsInside the Agri-Plex will be more than 9,000 entries competing for blue ribbons, hoping to be selected the best of what is grown, sewn, cooked, created and collected.The fair's farm-to-table series of chef demonstrations and culinary tips will feature kitchen masters sharing their secrets and giving audience members sample tastes.The Iron Chef Competition is a two-day event with preliminary battles leading up to the final match where a new contender competes against last year's champ. Each round has chefs creating dishes from ingredients unknown to them before the competition begins. The first two battles will be held Sept. 1. On Sept. 2, the winners face off against Executive Chef Cristian Gonzalez of The Shelby.Big-name headlinersHeadlining the fair's grandstand shows are the following ticketed concerts:• Tuesday, Thomas Rhett• Wednesday, Keith Urban• Thursday, John Mellencamp• Sept. 1, Rascal Flatts• Sept. 2, Pentatonix• Sept. 3, Tito Nieves, Ivy Queen and Jose´ Alberto "El Canario"More EntertainmentThere will be plenty of nonstop, free entertainment.The Nerveless Nocks All-American Thrill Show performers will race motorcycles inside the Wheel of Steel motor dome.The Rhinestone Roper, "America's Got Talent" Season Six quarterfinalist Dan Mink, will ride into the fair with his stunt horse, roping and knife-throwing tricks.Robinson's Pig Paddling Porkers will race around a track and do laps in their own pool.There are also destination venues on the fairgrounds featuring free attractions.Acoustic musicians will perform each evening at the Agri-Plex Square and its Harvest Patio, and there will also be two stage shows throughout the day.The RCN Farmerama Theater, a grassy parklike variety show site, features entertainment, music, sports talk and its weeklong resident attraction, the Marvelous Mutts Canine Spectacular.The RCN Sports Talk show broadcasts from the theater live three evenings with local cable sports commentators previewing the fall sports season and special appearances from area high school cheerleaders.On Thursday, the Cat Country 96 NASH Next Contest showcases five regional bands vying to become Nashville's next big star.The Blues Brotherhood, the ultimate Blues Brothers tribute revue will perform Sept. 1, 2 and 3.For a serenade of Americana, bluegrass and folk music, Ferdinand the Bull returns Sept. 4.The MainGate Bier Garten and Nightclub will welcome many great bands, including the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra Sept. 2.For more information about The Great Allentown Fair, include deals and discount, visit AllentownFairPA.org.