The agricultural area at the Carbon County Fairgrounds in Palmerton was busy Monday with the arrival of the livestock throughout the morning. By mid-afternoon, most of the animals had arrived.

The fair is scheduled to open today at 3 p.m.Bob Silliman, president of the fair, was busy seeing to last minute details, but stopped to chat."The weather this week is looking good fair and warmer, although you can't control the weather," he grinned. "The forecast is good, with only a chance of showers on Thursday. We're here either way."Silliman invited everyone to come out and enjoy the fair.The fair will hold opening day ceremonies at 4 p.m. The fair will run every day from today through Saturday from 3-11 p.m. There will be food, rides, entertainment, 4-H displays, livestock, and other displays. Today's entertainment will be Nicole Donatone at 7 and 9 p.m. and there will be a fireworks spectacular at 10:15 p.m."We have more displays and we have sold out the food vendor space," added Silliman. "I know that I won't be able to eat from every stand because there are simply too many to choose from."He said that new this year is Uncle Paul's Stuffed Pretzels, which are stuffed with "anything you want." He also added that Linda's Barbecue is new, which features oriental style beef and pork on a stick and rice. Another new vendor is Roadies Hot Wings from Penn's Peak."All of last year's vendors have returned," said Silliman, with satisfaction.After Silliman passed through the area, more pickup trucks and trailers were arriving with livestock.Among those arriving were 24 market and breeding goats from the A.J. Fogel Farms on German's Road, East Penn Township."We have sales for seven of them," said Ann Fogel. "The others are going back home with us."Within minutes, the goats had been led to their stalls with the help of family and friends.In another area of the livestock tent was Tia Tyson, 10, a two-year member of the Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club, and her brother, Toby, 6, who were relaxing in an empty goat stall.Tia said that she began her 4-H goat project last year and she hopes to sell her goats at the sale and put the funds in her bank account to help pay for feed for next year's project.Crissa Seviran, 16, of the C.K. Troxell Farm, said she had plenty to do to get the livestock ready to show. She is a nine-year member of the Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club.As she gave her 3-year-old heifer Sammy a bath, she said Sammy was pregnant and when she has the baby, she plans to show it next year, plus have the milk.Seviran said that her family brought 14 cows to the fair and some will be sold. Those funds will be used to buy new animals.Assisting Crissa was Avery Keller, 13, who is a six-year member of the Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club.Keller plans to show lambs and swine and hopes to sell them to buy new animals. Avery is a student at Lehighton Area Middle School.Mindy Graver of Penn State Extension was at the agricultural area helping with registration."It's amazing to see the fair come together," said Graver. "I've been here for three hours and it goes from bare to having the pens set up and the animals arriving."Graver said that she monitors the medical forms to make sure the correct animals are registered.