Although the Carbon County Fair only lasts just one week out of the year, the memories never fade and those who were involved in last night's opening ceremonies had fond stories to share.

Rep. Doyle Heffley said he remembered going to the fair as a child and being at football practice "running wind sprints and smelling the waffles and ice cream from the fair." Heffley thanked the 4-H club for all the work they do and promised to attend the livestock auction on Saturday."My favorite season is bazaar and fair season," said state Sen. John Yudichak as he praised what he called "Carbon County hospitality.""(The fair) really is about family, friends, farmers and fun, and that's what this week is about."Carbon County Commissioners, Thomas Gerhard and William O'Gurek attended last night's ceremonies.Gerhard said his parents would take him to the fair every year. He told the audience the agriculture at the fair was special to him because he grew up on his father's pumpkin farm and his grandfather was known in the area as the "cucumber king" for his large cucumber farm.Congressional aid for Congressman Lou Barletta, Vincent Kundrick III attended the fair in his place. Kundrick said it was his first time at the fair and joked that he had been exercising extra this week in case he fell "victim to some deep-fried Oreos."Reiterated throughout the night, the Carbon County Fair could not go on without the members of the Lions and Lioness clubs and the fair's dedicated volunteers.One volunteer, Jesse Mendez, also represented the Lower Towamensing Township Supervisors. Mendez was working as a security guard at the fair yesterday and changed his shirt to speak during the opening ceremony before changing back to continue working.Lions District 14-U Governor Liz McElwee expressed her gratitude for the work the members of the Lions and Lioness clubs have done for the fair and said the fair was an example of the club's theme this year, "Follow Your Dreams."A new bench was dedicated to volunteer Claire Henry for her 14 years of service to the Carbon County Fair. Henry let out tears of joy as the girls involved with the fair queen ceremony unveiled the bench. Henry also received a plague and was recognized by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Mistress of ceremonies Madeline Ligenza introduced the fair officers and described the work that goes into the fair as much as "15 weddings planned for one day."Fair officers are Robert Silliman, president; Joseph Herzog, vice-president; Barbara Christopher, recording secretary; Judy Borger, corresponding secretary; Liz McElwee, co-treasurer; and Alicia Shutack-Silliman, co-treasurer.President Silliman thanked the diamond level sponsors that he said make the fair possible.This year's diamond level sponsors are Blue Mountain Ski Area, Carbon County Board of Commissioners, Cheng Law Offices, Dales Concessions, Country Inn & Suites, Country Junction, George's Transportation, Hawk Water Hauling, The Morning Call, Paul's Garage, Pencor Services, Inc., Reiner Accounting and Sensinger's Greenhouses.Silliman presented the Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club, security guard Clare Frantz and Judy Borger with volunteers of the year awards.Silliman retold a story of when the first fair held at the Palmerton location was hit with a monsoon and he was up to 2 a.m. digging a drainage ditch."You know who was in that ditch with me?" asked Silliman, and he pointed to pointed to the children of the 4-H club.While the night was full of fond memories, fair queen candidates Lynde Kuntz, Carissa Sevrin and Emily Snyder were asked to look for the future. Their interview question before the fair was, "What do you envision the fair to be in the future?"Kuntz was awarded second runner up and Snyder, first runner up. To the delight of her screaming, fan group of fellow 4-H members, Sevrin was crowned 2013 Carbon County Fair queenWhen asked by the TIMES NEWS what she looks forward to most during her reign, Sevrin answered firmly, without hesitation, "I'm just excited to represent what I love."Lucille Fala Brennan from the Strawberry Playhouse sang the national anthem at the start of the ceremonies before the Palmerton Veterans of Foreign Wars provided a color guard and gun salute. Brennan closed the ceremony with a patriotic medley.The fair will continue today through Friday, from 3-11 p.m. and from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Admission to the fair is $5, children under the age of 6-years-old get in free. There is no additional cost to park at the fair.Today's entertainment is one man band, Glenn E. Miller at 5 p.m. on the main stage. On the main stage at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. will be a Neil Diamond tribute band, Real Diamond and at 7 p.m. in the arena, a demolition derby.Thursday is Children's Day at the fair and will be celebrated with a magic show at 6 and 8 p.m.; games at 5:30 p.m., a special children's day drawing at 6:45 p.m. and a bicycle giveaway at 8:45 p.m.On the main stage on Thursday, Radio and TV DJ Layne Roberts, "The Doctor," from Penn's Peak Radio will perform at 5 p.m. The Fabulous Hubcaps, a 50s grease show, will entertain at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.There will be a demolition derby in the arena at 7

p.m.and there will be an antique field stock tractor pull at 4 p.m.