A light rain and cooler weather didn't keep people from making their way to Palmerton for the opening of the Carbon County Fair Monday night.

The 18th annual fair opened its gates at 4 p.m. as it welcomed visitors back for another week of food, games and entertainment.Visitors took in the sights and sounds of the fair as they visited the food court, rode on some of the 15 rides supplied by Goodtime Amusements, and saw the livestock and produce exhibits put together by the 4-H clubs.The opening ceremony was held at the main stage of the fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m.The Palmerton UVO, consisting of American Legion Post 269 and VFW Post 7134, helped begin the ceremony with a presentation of colors and a gun salute.Ambassadors from the 4-H clubs also recited the 4-H creed as part of the opening.A number of speakers helped commemorate the beginning of the weeklong event. Among them were fair board President Robert Silliman, Carbon County Commissioner William O'Gurek and 2016 Fair Queen Mercy Melo.The speakers took time to honor local agricultural efforts, remember late fair volunteers and honor some of the fair's largest sponsors. These diamond level sponsors included Dale's Concessions, Blue Mountain Resort, Pencor Services Inc. and Paul's Garage.Members of the fair board also dedicated four benches to both living and deceased volunteers from the fair's past.Madeline Ligenza presented a bench in honor of Marissa Rossino, Silliman presented a bench in memory of Albert Feuerstein, and Earl Reabold presented two benches in honor of the Hawk family.Toward the end of the ceremony, Rachel Knoblauch was crowned Fair Queen for the 2017 fair."I'm really looking forward to being able to be a part of everything the fair does for the next year," Knoblauch said. "I would encourage anyone interested in the fair to volunteer and get involved with it."Alyssa Myers was crowned as the fair's second annual Junior Miss.The fair continued with a classic country music performance from the Rehrig Brothers at 7 p.m. DJ Chicken Nugget led line dancing in the main arena at the same time, and a zero turn mower competition was held in the small arena simultaneously.Visitors also saw exhibits from chain saw carvers, Hit & Miss Engines and the Carbon Model Railroad Society. A fireworks display that was scheduled for Monday night did not proceed because of inclement weather. Silliman said that the display will instead take place Saturday night.Throughout the rest of the week guests will be able to see demolition derbies, clowns, bands, drawings and tractor pulls.