The Warren County Fairgrounds were booming with activity Monday as vendors and exhibitors put the finishing touches on their booths, entries and animals in preparation for the Warren County Fair, running Aug. 11 through the 16.

According to Warren County Fair President Doris Labowski, submissions have increased in various exhibit categories, including 186 more arts and crafts entries and 187 more vegetable entries than last year.

"I think more people are staying local," said Labowski.

The livestock and 4-H barns were full of competitors bathing their animals and keeping them hydrated in the heat.

Caitlin Tichinel of Lander is a first-time competitor at the fair this year and a member of the 4-H organization Udder Club. She will be showing her 5-month-old calf Raisin in multiple classes throughout the week, and stressed one major factor in competition.

"Keep them clean," said Tichinel.

Tichinel practiced leading Raisin around the barn where she is boarded to get her used to wearing a rope halter for showmanship classes, but her mother, Sherry Barto admitted that "she'll walk good, then get stubborn."

Bear Lake resident Katie Woodin, who is president of the 4-H group Scandia Trail Blazers, will be competing with her horse Dusty in showmanship classes on Tuesday and gaming classes on Wednesday, which she prefers.

"It's just you and the timer," explained Woodin.

Fair-goers with an appetite will not be disappointed by the selection of food, including the Pomona Grange, which has been serving customers for 39 years.

"It's a place a family could come and eat," said Kelly Van Ord, whose grandfather, Guy Wilcox, started the concession stand in 1967.

The stand serves chicken, ham and hot roast beef sandwiches, a favorite among customers, according to Van Ord.

"At least two nights of the week we totally sell-out of beef," she said.

Various homemade pies are also available.

Van Ord said that the Pomona Grange offers a scholarship to grange members with the leftover earnings made from the fair.

New to the fair this year is a battle of the bands, which is taking place 5 p.m. Tuesday on the track.

"This is the first year we've ever had this," said Labowski.

Additional information can be found at www.warrencountyfair.net