From savory foods to knee-jerking entertainment, the Carbon County Fair is chock-full of activity.

The 22nd annual event runs Aug. 8-13 along Little Gap Road in Palmerton. Cost of admission is $7 for those 6 years and older.

It will be open from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 2-10 p.m. Saturday.

For the first time since it began, the fair will be under new direction.

New fair President Malinda Fox was named to succeed her father, Robert Silliman, who last year wrapped up his 21-year run serving in that capacity.

Fox, who has been involved with the fair organization for many years as the chairwoman for the Chinese auction, said she’s “very excited” for this year’s fair.

“This is more than just an office to me, as I am proceeding my dad, who has served as president since the fair’s inception,” Fox said. “I will be striving to show him that I am willing to work hard, to continue the dedication that he has put forth, as well as bring new ideas to life.”

Fox said her main goal for this year is to get more youth involvement with their organization.

“I have reached out to the high schools in the county, and have several students that have been coming out to volunteer at work sessions to prepare the fairgrounds,” she said.

“My hope is that they continue to volunteer, and maybe even get involved with a Leo and/or local Lions Club organization.”

Fox said the fair is important on many levels.

“Having our fair gives us the opportunity to display our county’s agricultural roots, which are so important to the economy,” she said.

“Our fair board has worked hard to put together this year’s fair, and are sure there will be something for all to enjoy.”

The opening ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Monday on the Main Stage and will include the crowning of the Carbon County Fair Queen. Fireworks will be held at 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday is Children’s Day all day from 4-10 p.m.

A special drawing will be held at 7 p.m. for prizes in front of the fair office, including six bicycles & electronics, etc.

Tickets are available 30 minutes before the drawing.

The ride special Tuesday is $20 to ride from 4 to 10 p.m.

Other days, riders can purchase a pass for $25.

Individual tickets will be available for purchase also.

Wednesday is Senior Citizen’s Day.

There is a demolition derby and cost is $6 per person in addition to the gate admission. Musical entertainment is included in admission as well as the midway shows.

Bands include Steel Creek on Monday, The Fabulous Grease Band Tuesday, Nashville Music Company Wednesday, Ronnie McDowell, with Nashville artist Leigh Pollari on Thursday, Mystery City, local rock band on Friday, with Dean Hahn and The Hawks on Saturday afternoon and The Cramer Brothers Band wrapping up Saturday night.

Fox said the fair has several new vendors this year, including Soul Stones with crystals and tarot cards, Butterfly Kisses Boutique with children’s clothing, the American Cancer Society with potato pancakes. Trishs Treats featuring edible cookie dough and more.

She said new on the midway will be the Amazing Anastasinis, an exciting aerial and magic show for the whole family.

Fox said new to the entertainment lineup is Mystery City, a local classic rock cover band suggested by younger fair attendees.

Always a crowd favorite, the Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club will sport a brand-new concession stand.

In addition to their chicken barbecue sandwiches, filling with gravy, popular filling bowl, and infamous strawberry shortcake sundae, this year they are changing up what they are serving, said Brenda Green, club vice president.

“This year we are adding chicken potpie, halushki, and cucumber salad, so we will be very busy in our stand,” Green said. “We just added a couple of things that were missing at the fair that people were asking for, so it was a lot of prep work; hopefully we can pull it off.”

Green noted the concession stand is easy to locate.

“We work with a bingo group who does bingos in the area, and they help fund a lot of our events, and we turn it right back into doing something for the community,” she said. “The more room, air conditioning, the more food you serve, the more room you need.”

Green added the group welcomes anyone who is willing to join the Lions Club, which meets the first and third Thursday of the month at the Lehighton Boys and Girls Band Hall.

For more information, contact Green at 570-657-7453.

A Lumberjack Contest will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday and feature world class athletes who will use razor sharp axes and racing saws to compete for $5,000 in prize money is free to attend with paid admission.

Alex Storm, event organizer who is also a member of the Pennsylvania Professional Lumberjack Organization, said the event will feature competitors from Pennsylvania, New York State and West Virginia.

Storm said there will be chopping and sawing events, chain saw races, and an open hot-saw race.

For more information, visit carboncountyfair.com.