It's time to gear up for the third annual Denver County Fair, which is aiming to make its trifecta year the best ever. Got a cherry pie to die for? An elegantly stitched quilt? A hen that struts like nobody's business? You have until midnight on July 26 to enter competitions; visit the website for categories, instructions and details.

See also: - Best Annual Festival - 2013: Denver County Fair - Five prizeworthy parts of the 2012 Denver County Fair - Slideshow: Denver County Fair 2012

And now, there's another reason to hit the website: Until the end of June, you can purchase fair tickets online at early bird prices. Newly implemented improvements in the ticketing will also make it even more worth your while: This year, one gate admission is good for all three days of Denver County Fair fun, and parking fees have been reduced to $5 per car (and, of course, bikes and scooters park free).

The fair runs August 9 through 11 at the National Western Complex; get your early tix for $8 ($4 for seniors, military and kids under 12) through June 30. A Family 4-Pack good for up to four family members is offered for $20, and early bird pricing of $6 is also available for those reserving a space at the annual Andrew Novick's X-treme Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, August 10, and X -Treme Breakfast Burritos on Sunday, August 11.

Get your fair on! Purchase tickets online and visit the DCF website for all the latest information.

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