One of the things I love the most about summer is the fairs. I’ve been to many in a variety of towns over the years, and I think some of the best fairs are right here in Carbon County.

Fairs are so full of energy — the sights, sounds and smells. There’s something for everyone. You can wander through exhibits of produce, quilts, art and animals. Or you can play games, listen to music or, of course, ride some rides.

As a child, I couldn’t wait to hit the rides. That was my reason for going to a fair. I’d get a bunch of tickets and ride one after the other with my friends.

As a teen, I’d try really hard to fight centrifugal force on the Scrambler, so as not to get too close to the boy sitting next to me.

As an adult, I can’t spin around like I used to, but I still love fairs.

On Monday, the Carbon County Fair opens at 5 p.m. with a ceremony and crowning of the fair queen. This year is its 20th anniversary! Yep, the Carbon County Lion/Lioness Fair Association incorporated in 1999, and they have lots planned for this year’s fair.

Jimmy and the Parrots will perform Monday night, and a Zero Turn Competition will take place in the Small Arena. The night will be capped off — really, no pun intended, at least initially — with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. in the arena. But I’m sure you can see them from a distance.

The whole week is filled with festivities: antique tractor pull, garden tractor pull and demolition derbies. I love demolition derbies. I haven’t been to one in a long time, like a really long time, but maybe I’ll talk someone into going with me this year. It’s on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the arena.

Tuesday is Children’s Day. For $15, your child can ride over and over and over again for six hours. The fair is open weekdays from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. Admission is $5. Check out all it has to offer at www.carboncountyfair.com.

The next fair I love is the West End Fair. It runs Sunday to Saturday, Aug. 18-24 — a nice way to close out the summer vacation before you-know-what starts the following week.

This is the 98th year for the fair. Wow, that’s a really long time!

There is so much to do, it’s hard for me to know where to start.

There are country singers, Irish dancers and a nod to the ’40s with the Swing Time Dolls. There are Dirt-o-Rama Go-Karts, Rafter Z Rodeo and Little Buckaroo Rodeo, and 4x4 Truck Pulls. And then there’s the whimsical — the Livestock Costume Parade.

The vendors are great, too, with all sorts of foods and artisans with a variety of wares. But one of the things I really like about the West End Fair is the shade. There are lots of trees with paved walkways meandering among them. It provides a very pleasant and welcome refrain from the sun, so you can really enjoy all the fair has to offer.

The West End Fair opens daily at noon. General admission is $6 for everyone 11 years old and older. Under that and you’re free. Ride wristbands are $25. There are also a variety of discounts on admission and ride wristbands throughout the week for all ages, so check out the website at www.thewestendfair.com.