It's fair time!

PHIL NELSON THE TRINITY JOURNAL Quilt judge Susan Magrini of Redding pores over a quilt entry Monday morning at the Trinity County Fair. For the daily schedule and more on the fair, see page 8 The Trinity County Fair is back in all its old-time, animal-loving, pie-eating, down-home country glory.

Returning after a year's cancellation due to last summer's wildfires, the fair theme this year is "Trinity County, Doin' Fine in 2009." All events are at the fairgrounds in Hayfork.

Some fair activities will start on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The fair officially opens on Friday (Kids Day) at 8 a.m.; children 12 and under will get in free. On Saturday, American Indians will get in free, and on Sunday admission is waived for senior citizens.

Otherwise, prices at the gate are $5 for people ages 13 to 59, $4 for seniors 60 and older, and $3 for youths 6 to 12; children 5 and younger get in free.

Children's pedal tractor events introduced at the last fair in 2007 will be back — with some changes. There will be pedal tractor races rather than the tractor pulls which caused repeated breakdowns, said Fair Board President Billie Miller.

PHIL NELSON THE TRINITY JOURNAL Quilt judge Susan Magrini of Redding, center, is assisted by the Log Cabin Quilt Guild's Martha Beymer, left, and Barbara Ledbetter Monday at the Trinity County Fair. Quilting is just one of the many exhibits fairgoers can expect to find at the fair, which officially opens F riday. Pedal tractors will also be available for children to play on.

"The Homestead is a highlight," Miller said. "The quilts always have a wonderful show."

The old-fashioned Homestead pioneer exhibit which includes a saloon and a schoolhouse seems to grow every year. The size of the theater showing oldtime movies has been doubled, and "they'll be serving breakfast and root beer floats throughout the fair," Miller said.

The fair, which began in 1921, has several permanent employees and is organized each year with the help of many volunteers. Approximately 11,000 people attend the fair each year — a figure that does include repeat visitors.

Among the biggest draws are the mule events held at the grandstand. They may look funny, but each year the mules prove to be speedy, agile, smart — and, yes, sometimes stubborn. There will be Calcutta betting at the mule races, which is fun for the audience and helps the fair.

The mule events attract local talent as well as race mules from out of the area. There will also be chariot racing and other events featuring mules.

Bull riding with Calcutta betting will start Friday at 6 p.m.

There are also English and Western riding events for horse lovers.

There's a lot to do at the fair that doesn't cost money, starting with Thursday (when no admission is charged) when much of the judging, including animal showmanship and the Miss Trinity and Junior Miss Trinity pageants, takes place.

There are plenty of projects on display at the fair, from youths' 4-H animals to baked goods and quilts.

The hard work of youths who raised sheep, steers, rabbits, poultry and swine will be auctioned Saturday afternoon at the Junior Livestock Auction.

On display in the fair buildings will be locally grown fruits and vegetables, and many handcrafted items. Junior arts and crafts contests get a large number of entries.

There are many activities to entertain families, including games, a pie-eating contest, and a pet parade. The Little Miss Trinity and Little Mr. Trinity contests will be held Saturday. For older girls, there are the Jr. Miss and Miss Trinity County pageants Thursday evening.

A logging contest starts Sunday at 3 p m.

The Destruction Derby on Sunday at 7 p m. always draws a crowd for the metal rending, over-heating, mud-churning fun.