The 26th annual Carbon County Fair opens Monday and runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds along Little Gap Road in Palmerton.

The fair is open from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 2-10 p.m. Saturday.

The cost of admission is $7 for everyone age 6 years and older.

There is an additional arena admission for the Monster Truck event, Junk Car Race and Demolition Derby.

Malinda Fox, fair president, said the fair kicks off on Monday and will get underway with its opening ceremony at 5 p.m.

The ceremony features the crowning of the new Carbon County Fair Queen and her court, and presentation of the Volunteer of the Year and the Friend of the Fair awards.

Pyro Joe will end the evening with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Entertainment on Monday will be comprised of Adam Calvert at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. There will also be a Monster Truck Bash at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Ryan Pelton will perform at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. There will also be a Monster Truck Bash at 7 p.m. The day also marks Children’s Day, when from 5-10 p.m. wrist bands cost $20. A special drawing will take place for great prizes, including six bicycles and electronics. Tickets are available 30 minutes before the drawing. All other days, the cost for wrist bands is $25. Buster the Clown will also be on hand.

Heather Olson & The Silver Eagle Band will perform at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on the Main Stage. Demolition derbies will be held at 7 p.m. A Senior Citizen Drawing will be held at 8 p.m.; must be present at the main stage to win.

The Clark Jackson Band will perform at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday on the Main Stage. The Barnyard Olympics will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Agricultural area. A Demolition Derby will be held at 7 p.m.

Entertainment will include shows by the M80 Band at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday. The Palmerton Area High School Band will play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Lehighton Area High School Band at 6 p.m.

Larry Disalvi will perform at 3:30 p.m., and Suns of Beaches Band at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a Garden Tractor Pull at 3 p.m. Emerald Dragon Karate will hold a demonstration at 6 p.m. Buster the Clown will also be on hand.

Fox described some of the additions to this year’s event, including a Monster Truck Bash in the arena on Monday and Tuesday for an additional fee.

In addition, she said there will be several new food vendors, along with a new food vendors contest in which they are highlighting unique and creative selections.

One of the vendors is the Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club, which will carry filling with gravy, chicken barbecue sandwiches, filling bowls, halushki and Zimmerman’s drinks.

The group said they made 80 pans of filling and 37 pans of halushki.

Fox said there is also a new midway act for families to enjoy. Boston Bachert will be there with juggling and magic.

Bearly Get’n By will also be on hand daily with chain saw carvings.

Fox stressed the significance of the local community coming out to support the fair.

“Economic impact is so important in supporting our surrounding communities,” Fox said. “I believe strongly in the importance of supporting our local businesses, nonprofit agencies and communities.”

Fox took it a step further.

“I feel one way we can do this is by coming out and supporting the vendors at our fair,” she said. “A lot of our vendors are the local Lions Clubs, fire department, etc., that give back directly to our local community.”

Fox said the fair is in need of volunteers for set up and tear down, and that anyone interested may contact her at 484-629-0242.