The finishing touches were in the works at the fairgrounds on Little Gap Road in Palmerton Friday as workers got tents, stages and stands ready for crowds to fill.

The 18th annual Carbon County Fair begins Monday at 4 p.m. Visitors to the fair will be able to partake in a variety of foods, see different kinds of performances, take part in new competitions and enjoy rides new to the fair this year."We try to get something different every year," said Bob Silliman, president of the Carbon County Fair board. "We always try to listen to what the people want and make sure we always make sure there's something new."There's going to be new rides, a zero turn competition, a remote control demo derby and line dancing on Monday night. The kids always come down and kick a lot of dirt around!"The fair will serve an array of classic fair foods, including funnel cakes, ice cream, pizza and both sausage and steak sandwiches, but new vendors will also take part this year. Caribbean Noodles will debut at the fair, offering yaki soba noodle dishes with fresh vegetables and optional chicken.Goodtime Amusements will return with fun fair rides for everyone. Irv Good of Goodtime Amusements said he will debut a fire truck-themed ride, a puppy-themed spinning ride and a speedboat ride. Visitors can also take a spin on the classic teacup ride and Tilt-a-Whirl at the midway.This year's entertainment lineup brings both local and distant talent in for nights full of music. Ryan Pelton, the Ohio Elvis Presley impersonator will take the stage twice on Tuesday night. 60s themed band the Large Flower Heads will perform twice on Friday, and Wednesday night visitors can hear Georgette Jones, daughter of country stars George Jones and Tammy Wynette.The fairground will also host popular events in its arenas during the week, including multiple demolition derbies and line dancing.Visitors can see new additions in the arena this year, such as the zero turn competition. The zero turn competition involves drivers maneuvering a zero turn mower through a special obstacle course, taking care not to knock over certain obstacles while trying to make it through the course the fastest.Another new competition will be called Crunchtime. The event will involve up to 16 players operating remote-controlled vehicles on an ovular course. Players must drive their vehicles over the course, crossing as many course lines as possible all while avoiding collisions with other trucks. For each line a player crosses, they will earn a point. The winner, the player who accumulates the most points during the game, will win a souvenir checkered flag.Visitors can also get a balloon animal from Buster the Clown each evening on the midway or take in the exhibits put on by members of the 4H club.4H has been busy preparing for the fair, readying livestock and produce for competition, as well as taking part in cooking, re-purposing and geocaching projects. In addition, 4H ambassadors have spent recent months organizing food drives.The Carbon County Fair runs from 4 to 10 p.m. from Monday until Saturday, Aug. 12.