Rain is in the forecast this week, but the first two days of the 35th annual Schuylkill County Fair in Summit Station saw very little. And good weather is crucial to fair success.

“If the weather holds, we hope to have phenomenal attendance,” said Paul Kennedy, fair president.

Monday night, those attending listened to Laredo, a country rock band based in Harrisburg.

Live music is featured every night and included with the price of admission. There is no charge for parking.

The band performing tonight is The Mahoney Brothers, who perform songs by the Beatles and other longtime favorite bands.

Shows are at 7 and 9 p.m.

Thursday, Elvis tribute artist Shawn Klush will deliver the hits recorded by the acclaimed King of Rock ’n’ Roll.

One of the favorite stops at the fair for small children is the “Farmer for a Day” tent provided by the Dunn Family of New Ringgold.

The display features a mechanical cow with rubber udders that children can simulate milking, arts and crafts, sand boxes filled with corn, the making of cream from milk and a garden starter area in which children can plant seeds in a container and take them home.

The stand is in memory of Robert “Bobby” Dunn, who was killed in a car crash on July 31, 2009, while en route home from the fair to milk his cows. Dunn, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dunn, was 22 when he died. He and his family were supportive of the fair and established the “Farmer for a Day” tent in his memory.

Manning the tent all week are William and Christine Scheitrum of West Penn Township. Christine has been volunteering at the tent for nine years. William said, “Three years ago, I came in to help.” He became hooked on the fair and for the second straight year has taken vacation from his job so he also can work at the tent.

“It’s great to teach kids what’s going on in agriculture and where their food comes from,” William said. “My wife’s uncle and her grandfather are dairy farmers.”

William shook small containers of milk that he was converting into cream, which in turn was made into ice cream.

The cow statue that children milked had a sign in front of it with a picture of Bobby Dunn on it. The sign read:

“Our cow named Faith is sponsored by the generosity of family, friends and local 4-H Clubs to educate all children in the dairy industry.

“Bobby was remembered for his smile and his love of Children. Faith will help us to keep his memory alive.”

Last night the grandstand was packed with spectators who viewed the fair’s annual tractor pull.

Tonight, there will be a celebrity tractor pull at 6:30 p.m. followed by a side-by-side 4WD drag racing event.

In front of the grandstand tomorrow will be Lorah Lawnmower Pulls beginning at 7 p.m.

There is a separate admission fee for grandstand events.

One of the highlights on Thursday will be the annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction and Awards with Robert Derfler Auctioneer.

One of the unique features of the fair is that after paying the fair admission (which is $5 general admission with children 10 and under free), visitors walk through a narrow, covered bridge to enter the grounds.