West Lampeter Community Fair officials aren't going to let the economy sour the fun of the local community.

"In this tight economy, we want the community to be free to come out to this wholesome activity," said Donald Welk Jr., president of the fair committee.

With no gate admission, the only money the community has to spend at the fair would be for supper — and the food prices aren't going up this year as they did last year.

"It's a free evening of fellowship that's nice for the community," he said.

There are more than 1,250 entries, up more than 100 from last year's fair, Welk said.

"We have a lot of entries in each category. They're overflowing. There's a great bunch of exhibits," he said.

The committee also is planning to keep the premiums at the same level as they were last year, Welk said. Premiums are paid through fifth place.

"The community has been a great supporter of the fair. We get a really good turnout and want to provide it back to them," Welk said.

To keep the premiums the same, the committee has decided to defer renovations of the fair office and bathroom that were scheduled for this year, he said.

While the schedule of events remains much as it has for several years, the 85th annual West Lampeter Fair will be offering some new entertainment.

Agricadabra, a magic show with agricultural ties, will perform for children three times today and Thursday and four times on Friday.

Although the fair officially opens at noon today, the market goat show will be held at 9 a.m. and market lambs will be judged at 10 a.m.

The buildings and tents will open to the public at 1 p.m. today. Also at 1 p.m. will be the market swine show.

This year's pet show will be at 5:30 p.m. today, with registration by 4 p.m. The children's fair will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The beef show and tractor parade will be held at 6:30 p.m., and the antique tractor pull will be at 7 p.m. In case of rain, a tent has been set up for the auction of the cakes, pies and bread, also scheduled for 7 p.m., Welk said.

The parade from Lampeter-Strasburg High School to the fairgrounds, featuring the 14 fair queen candidates riding in convertibles, will begin at 7 p.m., and the West Lampeter Fair Queen contest will be held at 7:30 p.m.

In case of rain, the queen contest will most likely be held at the high school, Welk said. The winner of the fair queen contest will compete in the state fair queen competition in Hershey in January.

The annual tug of war will be held at 9 p.m. even if there is some rain.

"A lot like the tug of war in the rain," Welk said.

Thursday's slate of activities includes the FFA judging contest at 9 a.m., dairy cows at 11 a.m., the FFA log sawing and bale throwing contest at 1 p.m., the children's sunflower contest at 4:30 p.m. and the Lampeter soup cook-off from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The baby parade will begin at 6 p.m., and the children's fair will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Lampeter-Strasburg High School Marching Band will hold its concert at the fair at 6 p.m.

The pig-catching contest will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., the dairy beef judging at 7:30 p.m. and the mini-disc golf demonstration at 9 p.m.

On Friday, the children's fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, and the all-western horse show will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at 6 p.m. The pedal-tractor pull competition and youth encouragement awards will be held at 6 p.m. The Spinners and Weavers Guild of Lancaster will give demonstrations from 6 to 8 p.m.

The calf-roping contest and the youth market beef, hog, lamb, dairy beef and goat sale are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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While the West Lampeter fair begins today, the Ephrata Fair began Tuesday and will run through Saturday.

Today's highlights include the petting zoo, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; sheep and lamb judging at 1 p.m.; and the parade at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, dairy cattle judging will be held at 10 a.m.; pygmy goat judging at 2 p.m.; the livestock sale at 6 p.m.; the pedal tractor pull at 6:30 p.m.; and the tug of war at 7:30 p.m. The petting zoo will be open from 4 to 9 p.m.

Friday will feature the petting zoo and pony rides from 4 to 9 p.m.; rabbit judging at 5 p.m.; the antique tractor pull at 6:30 p.m.; and calf dressing contest and other family fun contests at 6:45 p.m.

On Saturday, the baby parade will be held at 1 p.m. and cheesecake judging and auction at 3 p.m.

lvaningen@lnpnews.com