Patrons packed the fairways Monday for the opening of the 16th annual Carbon County Fair located at the fairgrounds along Little Gap Road in Palmerton.

The fair began with the opening ceremony, with Judy Borger, fair board member, serving as master of ceremonies.A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of four benches in memory of supporters.Robert Silliman, fair president, said the benches were in memory of Claire Heiny, a faithful board member of the fair who passed away earlier this year; in memory of Bertha Bollinger, wife of Herman Bollinger and faithful fair friend; in honor of Herman Bollinger, friend and excavating engineer; and in honor of "Dapper Dan" Daniel Bonner, who served as the fair's clown for many years.Dignitaries on hand for the ceremony included: Greg Hostetter, deputy secretary for animal health and food safety, representing Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding; Zach Gihorski, fair coordinator for Redding; Vincent J. Kundrik III, for Congressman Lou Barletta; Bill Hanley, senior economic development specialist for Congressman Matt Cartwright; Brad Hurley, for state Sen. John T. Yudichak.Also, state Rep. Doyle Heffley; state Rep. Jerry Knowles; Carbon County Commissioner William O' Gurek; Henry Desrosiers, Carbon County Director of Veterans Affairs; Lower Towamensing Township Supervisor Jesse Mendez; Lions District 14-V District Governor Kenneth Mims; first Vice District Governor Larry Williams; and second Vice District Governor Charles Zimmerman.Silliman thanked Diamond Level sponsors.Silliman said, "We could not do this without their continued support."Also recognized were Fred Reinhard, Pencor Services Inc. chairman of the board, as Special Friend of the Fair; Kristin Simmons, as PA Department of Agriculture Fair Ambassador of the Year; and Al Feuerstein, fair board member and member of the Mahoning Township Lions Club, along with Bob Kester, who performs lawn maintenance, as volunteers of the year.Silliman said he was impressed with the turnout for opening night, and added that the fair is a perfect opportunity for visitors to come out and enjoy great food and entertainment.Sharon Sambrick, of Miami Beach, made sure to do just that. Sambrick, who was visiting her mother, tried the new chick-n-cone, popcorn chicken in a cone."I'm having a great time," Sambrick said. "We're having a blast."Across the fairway, Bryce Sonon, 14, of Lehighton, was busy rolling around inside a Knockerball."It's really fun, very worth your money," Bryce said. "You just get to bump people."Meanwhile, William Kocher, 13, of Lehighton, braved the Tough Enough Mechanical Bull ride."It was pretty hard; it was fun though," William said. "You keep falling off the side; it's hard to stay on top."Earlier in the day, there was a livestock show, which included 4-H & Open Dairy Goat; 4-H & Open Market Breeding Goat, 4-H Market Goat, and 4-H & Open Rabbit & Cavies.Music lovers were treated to entertainment by Lenny & The Loafers on the main stage, as well as One Nite Stand, with special guest Bill Murray.The Victoria Rose Band performed on the midway stage, while DJ Chicken Nugget with Line Dancing Lessons and dancing followed.Opening night concluded with a fireworks spectacular.