Slam. Bam. Smash. Crash.

The crowd at Carbon County Fair's demolition derby went wild over the smash 'em - bash 'em derby last night.The arena was nearly filled to capacity, as the derby got under way. A second derby will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday in the arena.With a "figure-8" style course, the crowd cheered as their favorite drivers smashed their cars into their opponents.To warm up the crowd, a pre-show race exhibition was put on by Trevor Borger of Lehighton and Randy Ahner of Palmerton. The two sped their beat-up cars over a ramp as the fenders flew off the cars, delighting the crowd.In other parts of the fairground, Remember When sang some golden oldies in three different shows. Also, since Thursday, was Children's Day, with ride specials for the kids, there were plenty of youngsters strolling the fairgrounds with their parents."This a really nice day," said Karen O'Brien of Coaldale. "It's a perfect day for the fair. You can't beat it. The weather is perfect for a fair."O'Brien was at the fair with her two daughters, Morgan, 4, and Megan, 1, and her daughter's friend, Jascelyn Mika, 5, also from Coaldale. The girls enjoyed the rides and then topped off their visit with ice cream cones.The weather was perfect low humidity, clear skies and temperatures in the low 80s giving visitors every reason to go to the 12th annual Carbon County Fair.The exhibit tents were filled with people checking out the blue ribbon winners.Cade Miller, 11, of Kresgeville, and Dylan Haggerty, 10, of Saylorsburg, especially enjoyed the youth exhibits and said they want to enter next year."I came for the rides," said Miller."I came for the fried fair food," said Haggerty, "I'm looking forward to getting turkey on a stick."Those attending the fair for the food were well satisfied. While a variety of vendors are experienced food handlers, there is also a variety of nonprofit organizations offering homemade items, such as the Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions, Palmerton Lions, Lehighton Lioness Lions and West Penn Lions. Many Lions members also support the fair by serving as ticket takers, security and support services.While the arena was filled with people enjoying the demolition derby, and many people browsing the exhibits, there were other popular venues including the main stage where Remember When was entertaining the crowd with solid gold oldies and along the midway, where people were catching up with friends they hadn't seen since the fair last year.Visitors could see the agricultural displays and meet up with the 4-H youngsters and view their projects and animals on display. They could also check out the newest lawn tractors, and the latest in sun rooms and learn how to fix their rain gutters.Some youngsters, such as Brianna Uhnak of Whitehall, visited the Farmer for a Day display, which teaches youngsters where their food comes from. One of the volunteers, Rebecca Anglemoyer, was explaining that apples, peaches and pears come from a tree, while eggs come from chickens, and their vegetables are picked from plants that grow in the soil.Tonight's entertainment includes the Cramer Brothers at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. and Brooke Unger at 8 p.m. The arena will feature an antique tractor pull at 6 p.m.Saturday will feature Penn's Peak Radio and TV DJ, the Doctor at 5:30 p.m.; Ryan Pelton, Elvis impersonator at 7 and 9 p.m.; and a demolition derby at 6 p.m. The livestock auction will also be held at 1 p.m. Saturday.Sunday will feature the horse show at 8:30 a.m., and at 4 p.m. the Lehigh Valley Wrestling and Flyin' Hawaiian and other professional wrestlers in the arena. The main stage entertainment will include Tracy Lee and Band at 4:30 p.m. and at 7 and 9 p.m. Ryan Pelton will put on shows at 7 and 9 p.m.