A male performer in shiny mint-green pants and a white button-down shirt then emerged onstage to get ready for the 6:30 p.m. show. Music started pumping, drawing a crowd to the rows of metal bleachers.

"Rock out your mind, mind; rock out your body, body," went the disco beat.

A few minutes before the show started, the man brought a monkey onstage, tied its rope collar to the stage and left it there.

The monkey promptly walked over to a nearby toolbox, flipped off the top, took out a flashlight and tried to eat it.

It was just one of many sights to see at the 24th annual Denver Fair in Denver Memorial Park.

Next to the circus compound -- filled with campers, trailers, motorbikes and a gaggle of small dogs -- was a Tilt-a-Whirl ride with a steady line of people, but some empty cars. Several children rode solo in egg-shaped vehicles that whipped them silently around in the cool September air.

For the third year, Bill and Kathy Froelich of Reading set up their food stand, HFH Concession. The name of their 5-year-old small business stands for his for hers, or hers for his. They sell deep-fried breaded olives, six for $3, but the big sellers are the cheese quesadillas, $5 each for cheddar or pepperjack; and the sweet potato fries for $3.

While food and ride vendors tended to their customers, an auctioneer, 18-year-old Brad Wolf of Stevens, stood in front of the bandstand peddling baked goods for a few dollars apiece.

Brad said his grandfather, Art Pannebecker, of the auction service on Route 272, started the auction Tuesday night, and then handed it off to him.

A senior at Cocalico High School, Brad is headed for a career as an auctioneer and will start a 10-week auctioneering certificate program at the end of the month.

Also gathering at the bandstand about 7 p.m. were spectators for the opening ceremonies and Miss Denver Fair competition.

To start, 12-year-old Jessica Austin of Adamstown sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in public for the first time, and then was mobbed by friends trying to hug her. Her father, Jim, had one word for his reaction. "Tears," he said.

"I'd love for her to do it for the Barnstormers," he said later, "but that's kind of big."

Tiffany Sensenig, 17, of Reinholds, sat with four of her five best friends in the crowd. The fifth, Karli Weaver, was onstage to compete, wearing a dress that belongs to Tiffany.

"I told her it's a good-luck charm," said Tiffany, who already had heard the speech Karli would give in the competition.

"It's amazing," Tiffany said. "She compared the fair to a caramel apple."

Lamar and Nancy Seifrit sat in the stands to watch their oldest granddaughter, Katelynn, compete.

"If it goes on looks, she's got it," said Lamar, who had a 35mm camera over his shoulder. "And she's got brains, too."

As the runners-up were announced, and Katelynn was not among them, her grandmother said, "She's a star, no matter."

When the Miss Denver Fair title was announced, for Ashley Kemper, both grandparents cheerfully burst into applause.

"They were all wonderful," Nancy said.

"Yes," Lamar echoed, "they were all very good."

Today's events include the dairy beef show at 2 p.m., the beef show at 5 p.m. and the street parade at 7 p.m.

Results from the Denver Fair Tuesday include:

Baked Goods: Hershey's Cocoa chocolate cake contest, first place, Angela Hausch, Morgantown; Hershey's Cocoa cookie, brownie or bar baking contest (for ages 8 to 18), first place, Alicia Milkas, Denver; Angel Food cake contest, first place, Sandra Reifsnyder, Reamstown; Apple Pie contest, first place, Judy Fairman, Lititz. The winners are eligible for the 2006 State Farm Show in January.

Swine Show: Showmanship: grand champion showman, Jon Rupert, Ephrata; reserve, Chelsea Hoover, Stevens.

Market Hog show: grand champion light weight, Gerald Martin, New Holland; reserve, Amber Daub, Fredericksburg; grand champion middle weight, Gerald Martin; reserve, Ashley Daub, Fredericksburg; grand champion light heavy weight, Justin Welk; reserve, Amber Winters; grand champion heavy weight, Jon Rupert, Ephrata; reserve, Matt Mitchell, Reinholds; grand champion market hog, Jon Rupert, reserve, Gerald Martin.

Miss Denver Fair: winner, Ashley Kemper; first runner-up, Rebecca Leid; second runner-up, a tie between Karli Weaver and Savannah Graybill.