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

For exhibitors' additional convenience, PDF versions of each book are available for downloading on the fair's Web site at allentownfairpa.org.

In response to the Avian Flu outbreak in certain areas of the United States, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has suspended poultry, pigeon and egg shows throughout the Commonwealth this year. Entry categories included in the Premium Lists pertaining to these shows are not applicable. Any questions regarding this suspension should be directed to the state agriculture department.

Placement ribbons and cash prizes are awarded in each of the exhibitor categories judged the weekend before and throughout fair week running Sept. 1-7. There are special contests for youth entrants in addition to the all-age categories.

Amateur crafters, collectors, cooks, photographers and others with creative talents have the opportunity to compete as well as area farmers and gardeners. Entries in these competitive exhibit categories will be displayed during fair week inside Agri-Plex, the fair's main exhibit hall, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Health Network.

There are two separate guideline booklets: one for Agri-Plex entries and one for livestock entries. The deadline for registering livestock is July 18. The final deadline for Agri-Plex entries is 6 p.m. Aug. 8.

Sponsored contests provide enhanced prizes for competitors. A favorite must-see for fairgoers, the Lehigh Valley Cake Spectacular sponsored by the Fairgrounds Farmers Market, returns with categories for non-professional, professional and youth entrants to decorate cakes depicting the fair's "Find Your Treasure" theme.

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

Another delight for fairgoers clamoring for the unusual chance to help taste and judge, the Cupcake WarFAIR competition sponsored by Egypt Star Bakery offers creative bakers enhanced prizes for coming up with confections and flavors. It also has a separate application for entry.

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 vast number of award categories, there are 145 types of vegetables judged, excluding potatoes, a vegetable in its own department with 15 different varieties represented.

Premium lists and applications for the special contests can be picked up at the fair office located near the Ritz Barbecue on the Allentown Fairgrounds, 17th and Chew streets, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mondays - Fridays or by visiting the Fair's Web site, allentownfairpa.org and downloading the list and applications there.

Information: 610-433-7541