I love the fair. I love watching the children enjoy the rides. I love looking at all the animals. And I enjoy shopping at the vendors’ booths. But the fair really is so much more.

There are musical performers, exhibits such as the antique tractors and engines, and Farmer for a Day, and shows like the one put on by Rannels Rustics. Ben Rannels demonstrates how he sculpts wood with a chain saw. It’s really cool.

The first day of the fair opens at 11 a.m. at the main arena with quarter midget racing. The opening ceremony will be at 3 p.m. at the main stage with the coronation of the fair queen. A kids’ pedal pull will takeoff at 3 p.m. in the arena hub, and since it is Sunday, a vesper service will be held at 4 p.m. at the main stage.

At 7 p.m., Chris Eckert will take the stage with an array of music, and the Cartesion Dance Academy will be in the bandshell. Come 9 p.m., fireworks will shoot into the sky, and that’s just the first day.

Other performers during the week include the Cramer Brothers Band, a George Jones tribute band named Joe Bonson and Coffee Run, the Josh Squared Band, the grandson of Waylon Jennings - Whey Jennings, the Steel Creek Band, the Honky Tonk Twins, a Tom Petty tribute band - Don’t Back Down, the Brian Dean Moore Band, Last One Standing, Time Whys, Dean Hahn and the Hawks, and the Uptown Band.

Also, Pleasant Valley Band will perform on Monday, and East Stroudsburg South High School Band will make some music on Tuesday.

Dance schools will be showing off their moves throughout the week. Levels Dance Studio will perform on Thursday, Cartesion will be back on Friday, and Fusia Dance Center will perform on Saturday.

For those looking for some rough and tumble fun, head for the main arena. Old School Productions will have a junk car race on Monday. On Tuesday, a demo derby of small cars, midsize and power wheels, plus a derby youth class for teens will show off their might. Big cars, mini SUVs and full size trucks will take the ground for a demo derby on Wednesday.

Things really heat up on Thursday with the Black Cat Hell Drivers featuring world record stunt driver Chris Morana, but Friday won’t be out done. It’s full of 4x4 festivities.

The 6200 modified 4x4s will take the arena, plus the East Coast Pro Pulling Circuit, NPJ Pro Stock 4x4, Enhanced Gas Trucks 4x4, Street Legal Diesel 4x4, and Outlaw Diesel 4x4.

Good ol’ farm boys will pick up their slack with NPJ Too Hot to Farm Tractors and the NPJ Fast Farm Invitational Tractors.

There couldn’t possibly be anything left to do in the arena, but you would be wrong. The Bullride Mania Rodeo will wrap up the week at 6:30 on Saturday night.

Gates open daily at 2 p.m. Admission is $8. Children under 11 years old are free. Parking is free, too, as are performances at the stage, band shell and attraction shows. Admission is always free for those in the military with military identification.

There are specials throughout the week, too. Monday has free rides from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday is $1 off admission with a donated coat for the Rotary Club. Wednesday is Senior Citizens’ Day or as I like to call them - the young at heart. They get admission for $4. You have to be at least 65 years old, so just because you qualify for AARP doesn’t matter. A Senior Program will take place at 5:30 p.m.

Students’ Day is Thursday. Admission is $4. Bring your school photo identification. Games will be held at the Agriculture Education Arena at 3 p.m.

As much as you love your pets, they are not allowed at the fair. My cat can be emotionally supportive, but only true service animals will be admitted.

By the way, if it isn’t already obvious, no guns, drugs or alcohol at the fair. If you need more information, give them a call at 610-681-4293, or check them out online at www.thewestendfair.com.