The annual Carbon County Fair, Palmerton, announces it will host the Hershey Cocoa Classic Cake contest; the Pennsylvania's Annual Incredible Angel Food Cake Contest and the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest. The deadline to enter the contests is July 30.

First place winners at the Carbon County Fair can compete at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in January 2012. Rules and judging criteria for the contests can be found in the Carbon County Fair Premium Book which can be found online at www.carboncountyfair. Entry forms can be found on page 71. The contests will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Contests are open to any resident of Carbon County or West Penn Township, Schuylkill County.The Hershey Company, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs are sponsoring the Hershey's Cocoa Classic baking contest.Each entry must be made from scratch and a recipe submitted.Entry must be a layered chocolate cake made from "scratch" and frosted and must contain at least one-fourth cup of Hershey's Cocoa. (See

www.hersheys.com for complete product list.)Cakes are judged on flavor, texture, characteristics, and frosting.The Angel Food Cake contest is returning to the competitive exhibit lineup at the Carbon County Fair. The Incredible Angel Food Cake contest is sponsored by Pennsylvania Egg Farmers and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs.The cake must be made from scratch using eggs. Cakes will be judged on flavor, taste, flavoring, overall appearance, creativity and icing.For more information about the Angel Food Contest, please see page 92 in premium book.The 2011 Blue Ribbon Apple Pie baking contest is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Apple Marketing Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs.Over 100 fairs across Pennsylvania will offer cash prizes for the best pie.Each apple pie must include at least 60 percent apples in the filling. It does not need to be a "traditional" two crusted apple pie and it can have a variety of fillings. Judging will be based on the following criteria: flavor, filling, crust, overall appearance and creativity. For more information about the apple pie contest, see page 94 of the premium guide.For more information, contact Kristin Simmons at (570) 778-9026.