Mother Nature by all accounts has ordered up ideal fair week weather.

Highs generally are expected to be in the 80s and lows in the 60s throughout the week, according to weather forecasts.

That usually means bigger crowds at the fair and a more pleasant time for the swine, steers, goats, sheep, chickens and other creatures camped out at the fair for various shows.

The fair kicked off midday Tuesday with opening ceremonies and a dedication.

Marilyn Kay Parsons donated funds for the remodeling of restrooms in the Administration Building.

“The Parsons family has always been a proud supporter of the 4-H program and the fair and Marilyn’s generosity is greatly appreciated,” said Mike Johnson, fair board president, in his welcome in this year’s fair catalog.

Livestock aren’t the only animals at this year’s fair.

The pony rides are a new attraction that will be available throughout fair week east of the grandstand. Rides are $5. Youths also can get their photos with the ponies for $12.

And though it didn’t take place during the fair last year, the open horse show will be Thursday in the 4-H Horse Arena and the mud run will make its return Friday near the north ball fields at the fairgrounds.

The monster truck exhibition is expected to be another crowdpleaser. It will have its debut during Saturday’s demolition derby.

Children 12 and younger also can buy raffle tickets for a chance to ride in the monster truck. Tickets — $1 each or six for $5 — will be sold from the fair office throughout fair week with proceeds going to the fair association.

The carnival and food stands always are popular with fairgoers. The food court will have its regular vendors, along with other food stands situated throughout the fairgrounds.

The carnival, meanwhile, will have all of its regular games and rides. Organizers also are offering two armband discount nights for rides. Visitors can purchase the armbands for $22 each night July 30 and 31. The armbands allow them admission all night to the rides.

Food, carnival rides and mud runs bring in the crowds, but the exhibits shouldn’t be overlooked, Johnson said.

The exhibits, after all are what got the annual event started in the 1920s.

Actually, the first “fair” was a celebration of the bumper crop of corn and took place in downtown Tonganoxie. The next year apples were added to the lineup.

It was in 1938 the fair moved to its current spot north of Kansas Highway 16 after a stint on what was then the high school grounds. And it was in the late 1930s when it officially was called the Leavenworth County Fair.

“It used to be one of the largest in the state of Kansas and might still be,” Johnson said, referring to the number of entries the fair has each year. “Our entries for livestock, cattle were just as good this year as last year, as far as entries.”

The 49th annual livestock auction if Friday in the livestock show arena, an event that usually draws a full house of potential bidders to the arena.

Senior day at the fair, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, always is a popular event for senior citizens and the pie baking contest, also scheduled that day, was popular in its debut last year. The Fairmounters, a local bluegrass band, will perform at 8 p.m. that night.

The fair’s final day always seems to bring out the youths during the day, with turtle races and the youth pedal tractor pull that afternoon.