The 165th edition of the Great Allentown Fair will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Camp Crane, the Allentown Fairgrounds’ transformation into a World War I United States Army Ambulance Service training camp from 1917 until the war’s end in 1919.

Throughout Fair-week, Aug. 29 through Sept. 4, Labor Day, at the Allentown Fairgrounds, at 17th Street between Liberty and Chew streets, Allentown, an educational display inside the Agr-Plex will depict camp life and the times when the Allentown Fair suspended operations and its acreage was converted into military offices, barracks and tent campgrounds.

On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, the Ambulance 255 Project that produced a working 1916 Model T Ford replica of a World War I ambulance similar to what the trainees experienced at Camp Crane a century ago will pull into the Fairgrounds in front of the Agri-Plex. Its restoration exhibitors will be on hand to talk to Fair-goers and present lectures in the Agri-Plex about the ambulance units that trained in Allentown.

In honor of those that continue to serve, the Fair introduces its first “Red, White & Thank You” Military Day Aug. 31. Veterans and active military receive free Fair admission all day by showing valid military service ID at the Fair gates. Lehigh Carbon County Community College’s Returning Adult and Veteran Services Department will welcome the honored guests, providing tokens of appreciation, information and a chance to win Fair Grandstand show tickets.

Farm roots

The Fair’s origin is still its reason for being and Fair-goers can discover the Fair’s roots in animal displays and exposition buildings on the west end of the Fairgrounds.

More than 1,000 farm animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits and more reside in Agri-Land. The competition is fierce for best of show at the Judging Tent, headquarters for livestock judging as well as fun events such as Barnyard Olympics, Pedal Push Tractor and Hay Bale Throwing contests.

The tent also is home to the annual Lehigh County 4-H livestock sale Sept. 2 of the Fair, the year’s culmination project for local youth in the club that reminds Fair-goers of the mission of the Fair to encourage agricultural excellence.

Additional outdoor attractions include the 4-H Petting Zoo, an antique tractor display and Lil’ Farm Hands, an activity center where children can play and learn what it’s like to be a farmer.

Agri-Plex contests

Just heading inside Agri-Plex to see the more than 9,000 entries that compete for blue ribbons is worth a trip to the Fair. The spacious building shows off the best of what is grown, sewn, cooked, created, and collected. Striking photos, Lego sculptures, treasured antiques, beautiful quilts, heavenly baked goods and so much more are judged and on display.

Beyond the showcases in the exhibition building, there are high-stakes culinary and fun interactive contests for foodies and arts and crafts lovers.

The Fair’s Farm to Table series of chef demonstrations and culinary tips features more kitchen masters than ever before, sharing their secrets and giving audience members sample tastes. Demonstrations go on every day of the Fair.

A Fair-goer favorite, the Iron Chef Competition is a two-day event with preliminary battles leading up to the final match where a new contender competes against last year’s champ. Each round has chefs creating dishes from a supply of ingredients unknown to them before the competition begins.

Battle One on Sept. 1 pits Executive Chef Abe Lopez of Stoke Coal Fire Pizza & Bar against Chef-Owner Cindie Feldman of 29 Cooks. Battle Two the same day features Executive Chef Ryan Lukow of The Hamilton Kitchen against Chef-Owner Beth Anna Raynock of Local Mama Catering.

On Sept. 2, the winners of Friday’s two contests face off to determine who is in the Final Battle against last year’s winner, Executive Chef Cristian Gonzalez of The Shelby.

New this year, Grain To Glass demonstrations feature local, seasonal ingredients in distilled spirits. The demonstrations take place Sept. 3 with Co-founder Chad Butters of Eight Oaks Craft Distillers, Regional Manager Dave McAdoo of The Colony Meadery, CEO Anthony Brichta of County Seat Spirits, Founder and CEO Kishor K. Chokshi of Kilimanjaro Distillery LLC., and Founder Kristofer Kwant of Triple Sun Spirits Co.

Entertainment abounds

Non-stop entertainment, free with Fair admission, abounds around the grounds.

New this year, the high-flying, death-defying Nerveless Nocks All-American Thrill Show performers race motorcycles inside the Wheel of Steel motor dome, defy gravity on a rotating Wheel of Destiny, and perform acrobatic tricks atop 80-feet-high Sway Poles.

The Rhinestone Roper, “America’s Got Talent” Season Six Quarter-finalist Dan Mink, rides into the Fair. His stunt horse, roping, and knife-throwing tricks had “AGT” judges shocked and awed.

Back by popular demand, Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers race around a track and do laps in their own pool for Oreo cookie rewards.

There are destination venues on the Fairgrounds featuring free attractions.

Agri-Plex Square and its Harvest Patio provides an oasis of shade, seating and a selection of craft-style beers. The site features acoustic musicians every evening and two stage shows throughout the day: Scott’s Future of Magic, an illusion and comedy show, and New Odyssey - 3 Guys 30 instruments that are just that, a trio of musicians playing songs of all genres on 30 instruments.

The RCN Farmerama Theater is a grassy park-like variety show site that features entertainment, music, sports talk and its week-long resident attraction, the Marvelous Mutts Canine Spectacular. These rescue dogs that charmed audiences during their Fair debut last year are back, racing through an obstacle course, leaping into a pool of water to grab toys, and snatching discs out of the air.

The RCN Sports Talk show broadcasts from the theater live three evenings with local cable sports commentators previewing the fall sports season and special appearances from area high school cheerleaders and bands on Aug. 29, 30, and 31.

New this year on Aug. 31, the Cat Country 96 NASH Next Contest showcases five regional bands vying to become Nashville’s next big star. Judges will pick a finalist to go on to a national competition in “Music City.”

Also debuting this year at the Fair, the Blues Brotherhood, the ultimate Blues Brothers tribute revue will “turn loose” their spot-on impersonations of the famous movie characters and perform other classic blues, funk and soul material Sept. 1, 2 and 3.

For a holiday serenade of Americana, bluegrass and folk music, Ferdinand the Bull returns to perform Sept 4, Labor Day.

The MainGate Bier Garten and Nightclub is one of the Fair’s most popular gathering spots offering fun, spirits, music and reunions of Fair-faithful. Great bands perform, including the Sept. 2 special event, the return of 18-time Grammy Award-winner Jimmy Sturr Orchestra.

Notable mentions

Funnel cakes, giant turkey legs, waffles and ice cream, fried veggies and everything and anything served on a stick tempts Fair-goers with mouth-watering aromas from one end of the Fairgrounds to the other.

Fair President Beverly Gruber has once again challenged Fair concessionaires to come up with a new treat at their stands. Location-map ballots are available inside Agri-Plex and at “inFairmation” booths for Fair-goers to pick up and guide them to the new foods and then cast their votes for the best new creations.

Midway attractions

The Fair’s carnival midway host, Powers Great American Midways provides rides. Powers caters to families who enjoy riding together on amusements like the company’s brand-new European Tea Cups and Circus Train.

For those whose day at the Fair isn’t complete without winning that gigantic stuffed toy for a favorite child or “sweetie,” there are games of chance and skill.

The traditional Labor Day holiday bang-up ending to the Fair is the J & J Demolition Derby.

Grandstand show tickets include Fair admission when purchased in advance of the show date.

Deals, discounts

The Fair runs Aug. 29 through Sept. 4., Labor Day. Hours are 4-11 p.m. Aug. 29, noon-11 p.m. Aug. 30- Sept. 3, and noon-10 p.m. Sept. 4.

Dollapalooza Preview Night Aug. 29 offers $1 specials on rides, games and food.

Preview Night admission is $3, but the “Buck and a Can” promotion lets Fair-goers get in by paying $1 at the gate and contributing a food item donation to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.

“Fair Deals” abound, especially for “early birds under the wire” that attend Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1 when admission from noon-2 p.m. is free for everyone.

On Aug. 30, seniors with ID pay $4 at the gate after 2 p.m. on American Bank Senior Citizens Day.

On Aug. 31, active Military and Veterans with ID get in free all day on “Red, White & Thank You” Military Day.

Starting Aug. 30, regular gate admission is $8 with ages 12 and under free. Purchasing $4 advance admission tickets at the Fair Box Office and on-line saves 50 percent with no fees added. The advance discount ticket is good whenever admission is charged.

Gate admission benefits the mission of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, the nonprofit operator of the Fair, founded in 1852, to support agriculture.

Families may obtain all-day ride wristbands at $15 by purchasing them in advance. The wristbands sell for $22 at the Fair. Individual ride tickets are also available at the Fair.

Details on deals and discounts before the Fair and during Fair week are available on-line, and to keep up to date on Fair information and connect with its social media, log onto AllentownFairPA.org.