The Great Allentown Fair kicks off Tuesday and runs through Sept. 3, Labor Day. The fair guide and map is posted online and handed out at fair entrances designates venues and provides a daily schedule of activities.

“AG-Venturing”

More than 1,000 farm animals reside in “Agri-Land.” The competition for best of show takes place in the Judging Tent, headquarters for livestock judging as well as events such as “Barnyard Olympics,” “Pedal Push Tractor” and “Hay Bale.”

The tent also is home to the annual Lehigh County 4-H livestock sale Sept. 1.

Additional outdoor attractions include the “4-H Petting Zoo,” an antique tractor display and “Lil’ Farm Hands,” an activity center where children can play and learn what it’s like to be a farmer.

Head inside to see the best of what is grown, sewn, cooked, created and collected.

Culinary contests

The fair’s “Farm-to-table” series of chef demonstrations and culinary tips features more kitchen masters than ever before sharing secrets and giving audience members sample tastes.

The “Iron Chef Competition” is a two-day event with preliminary battles leading up to the final matchup where a new contender competes against last year’s champ.

Free entertainment

New this year, the “XPOGO Stunt Team,” featuring extreme championship pro athletes soaring, flipping and bounding 10-feet in the air on pogo sticks, are coming to astound fairgoers.

The highflying “Nerveless Nocks All-American Thrill Show” performers race motorcycles inside the Wheel of Steel motor-dome.

The Rhinestone Roper, “America’s Got Talent” Season 6 Quarterfinalist Dan Mink, rides into the fair.

“Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers” race around a track and do laps in their own pool for Oreo cookie rewards.

Destination venues

Agri-Plex Square is the “front yard” of the fair’s major exhibition building. The site features a variety of performers.

The RCN Farmerama Theater features entertainment, music, sports talk and its weeklong resident attraction, “The Marvelous Mutts Canine Spectacular.” The “RCN Sports Talk” show broadcasts from the theater live three evenings with local cable sports commentators previewing the fall sports season.

The Cat Country 96 “NASH Next Contest” showcases five regional bands Thursday, vying to become Nashville’s next big star. Judges will pick a finalist to go on to a national competition in Music City.

Magician Tom Yurasits performs his repertoire of tricks and illusions during shows Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

The Farmerama “goes groovy” Sept. 1 with The Large Flowerheads.

For a patriotic Labor Day, the Belle Tones harmonize on treasured tunes to honor the red, white and blue.

The MainGate Bier Garten welcomes the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra, Sept. 1.

Notable mentions

Continuing is last year’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Camp Crane, the World War I United States Army Ambulance Service training camp on the Allentown Fairgrounds from 1917 until the end of World War I in 1919.

The display will depict life at the camp and highlight the 18 universities that contributed to the troop population of more than 2,000 who trained there.

Ticketed attractions

The fair’s perennial carnival midway host, “Powers Great American Midways,” continues to provide rides at a value that appeal to all ages.

The renowned “Home of the Stars” Grandstand showplace again lives up to its reputation for featuring artists that dominate their respective genres.

Alt rockers 311, The Offspring, Gym Class Heroes, comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, pop artists 5 Seconds of Summer, The Aces, Niall Horan and Maren Morris perform at the Fair for the first time. Country super duo Sugarland returns after a five-year absence.

The J & J Demolition Derby on Sept. 3, is joined with another rip-roaring motor sport kicking off the fair on “Preview Night.” The Great Truck & Tractor Pull brings back an agricultural fair classic.

Grandstand show tickets include fair admission when purchased in advance.

Deals, discounts

“Dollapalooza Preview Night,” Tuesday offers $1 specials on rides, games and food. While regular “Preview Night” admission is $3, a special “Buck and a Can” promotion lets fairgoers get in by paying $1 at the gate and contributing a food item donation benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.

“Fair deals” abound for “early birds under the wire” who attend Wednesday through Friday when admission from noon-2 p.m. is free.

On Wednesday, seniors with ID pay $4 at the gate after 2 p.m. on American Bank Senior Citizens Day. On Aug. 30, active military and veterans with ID get in free on “Red, White & Thank-You Military Day.”

Admission is $8; 12 and under is free. Purchasing advance tickets at the box office and online saves 50 percent with no fees added.

Gate admissions benefit the mission of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society.

Value-minded families may obtain all-day ride wristbands at $18 by purchasing them in advance. The wristbands sell for $25 at the Fair.

Fair hours are 4-11 p.m. Aug. 28; noon-11 p.m. Aug. 29, 30, 31, Sept. 1, 2, and noon-10 p.m. Sept. 3.

For more information, visit AllentownFairPA.org