The Great Allentown Fair's Premium List booklets, that detail the procedures for entering and categories for the fair's blue ribbon competitions, are now available at the Allentown Fairground's main and box offices

PSF versions of each book are available for downloading at the fair's Web site, allentownfairpa.org.

Placement ribbons and cash prizes are awarded in each of the exhibitor categories judged the weekend before and throughout fair week, Aug. 27 - Sept. 2. There are contests for youths in addition to the all-age categories.

Amateur crafters, collectors, cooks, photographers and others with talents have the opportunity to compete as well as area farmers and gardeners.

Entries in competitive exhibit categories will be displayed inside Agri-Plex, the exhibit hall, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Health Network.

There are two separate guideline booklets, one for Agri-Plex entries and one for livestock entries, including livestock, fowl and rabbits. The deadline for livestock entries was July 20. The deadline for Agri-Plex entries is 6 p.m. Aug. 3. Ways to register are listed in the booklet.

Each day of the fair, culinary contests are offered at the Culinary Contest Stage presented by PenTeleData. The 12 corporate-sponsored culinary contests, described in the Premium List, have separate applications for entry, offer either substantial prize money or gifts and in some cases, the opportunity to go on to state or national competitions.

The fair's 2013 western theme, "Rootin' Tootin' Fun," is the inspiration for entries in contests such as the Lehigh Valley Cake Decorating Spectacular sponsored by the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market, the Grange Association displays and the Table Setting competition.

The Fair typically exhibits more than 1,200 farm animals and more than 9,000 products from farms, gardens and homes including arts and crafts.

As an example of the number of award categories, there are 145 types of vegetables judged, excluding potatoes, the latter a vegetable with its own department with 15 different varieties represented.

Premium lists and applications for the special contests can be picked up at the fair office behind the Ritz Barbecue on the Allentown Fairgrounds at 17th and Chew streets, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mondays - Fridays or at: allentownfairpa.org, and downloading the list and applications there.

Information: 610-433-7541

Here is the list of Allentown Fair Special Culinary Contests sponsored by PenTeleData. Note: Extra-incentive prize contests are described in the Fair Premium List, but require separate applications available at the Fair Office.

1. 2013 PA Preferred Chocolate Cookie, Brownie or Bar Baking Contest for ages 8 - 18 sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's PA Preferred program

2. 2013 PA Preferred Chocolate Cake Baking Contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's PA Preferred program

3. Fleischmann's Yeast "Sensational Sandwich Bread" Contest

4. Bisquick Family Favorites Recipe Contest

5. Pennsylvania's Incredible Angel Food Cake Contest sponsored by Elite Gourmet Catering

6. Pillsbury Pie Baking Championship

7. Gold Medal Flour Scratch Bakers Cookie Challenge

8. Cover Hill Vineyards & Winery's Cooking with Wine Lasagna Cooking Contest

9. The Pampered Chef Independent Cooking Consultants Filled Cookie Contest

10. Bechdolts Orchard Fresh Peach Dessert Contest

11. Longaberger Best "No Bake" Dessert Contest

12. The 2013 Cherylanne C. Neidlinger Memorial Lupus Awareness Contest "The Great Allentown Fair's Version of Chopped"

13. Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest sponsored by Alpha Graphics