The Carbon County Fairgrounds in Lower Towamensing Township was buzzing with activity Sunday.

People showing animals or submitting still exhibits were flowing in and out of the Little Gap Road property making sure everything was just right before judges began deciding who would take home highly coveted Carbon County Fair ribbons.Kristin Simmons, who coordinates many of the contests at the fair, said the day before the fair opens is one of the busiest for volunteers as judging of still exhibits started at 7 p.m. Sunday night and would mostly conclude today."Everyone is bringing in exhibits Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and then between 4 and 7 p.m., we'll be busy trying to sort them by department, section and class."That's not as simple as it sounds and involves not just putting all the cakes together, but separating the chocolate from vanilla and other varieties. Decorated bowling pins, for example, must also be sorted by age group.At 7 p.m., judges entered the two tents and started judging the perishable items."It's been 100 degrees at times inside this tent today so we have to get to those items first," Simmons said. "Nobody wants to eat a cake that sits around in the heat all day. Vegetables are brought in at their peak and they're just like us, the heat takes a toll on them."The majority of the rest of the judging will conclude by 5 p.m. today, when the still exhibit tents will open. Simmons said there would be a crowd waiting to get in as exhibitors are anxious to see if they've earned a medal.Categories extend well beyond food and produce. Antique farm equipment, floral arrangements, and decorated bowling pins are among other items that will be judged."New this year we're going to have decorated flip-flops as well," Simmons said. "It's kind of playing off the jazzy sneakers, which we started last year."There are categories open to only youth and Simmons would like to see more student art."They're already doing projects for school and it would fit in nicely here," Simmons said. "A lot of people don't realize the wide variety of categories we have."In all, the fair expects to draw over 2,300 exhibits.Contests are open to residents of Carbon County and West Penn Township because the West Penn Lions Club is one of seven participating Lions Clubs at the fair.Most of the judges are local and a few of them will oversee multiple categories."If I know someone has expertise in a certain area, I'll call them up and sometimes beg for them to help out," Simmons said. "In a lot of cases they'll do it for free, but sometimes we do pay for mileage and a fee for the judging."Elsewhere around the fairgrounds Sunday, livestock exhibitors arrived with their animals and crews finished setting up and testing rides, and groups put the final touches on vendor stands and tents."It takes us about eight hours to get everything set up," said Mark Green as he strung lights atop the Farmer For A Day tent.The fair is open from 3-11 p.m. on Monday through Friday; and noon-11 p.m. on Saturday.Admission is $5 for everyone 6 years and older. Parking is free.