WEST FRIENDSHIP, MD — Ah, August, when 100 acres in western Howard County magically transform into an annual rite of good, old-fashioned family fun. From Aug. 3-10 the Howard County Fair will offer up pig races, food on a stick, carnival rides, bands and more.

Starting Saturday, you can savor the kaleidoscope of spinning, swirling neon along the midway; witness goats, in all their splendor, becoming so much more than, well, goats as we think of them; the mule jump; the mule-pulling contest, the skid-loader rodeo; the horse-pulling contest, the antique tractor pull. And of course, no Howard County Fair would be complete without the pie-eating contest; the pig races; and the youths dreaming of winning the Future Little Howard County Farmer and Little Miss Howard County Farm Bureau contests.

Admission to the 74th annual Howard County Fair – open daily from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Aug. 3 to Aug. 10 – is $7 for weekends and after 5 p.m. weekdays and $5 before 5 weekdays for those ages 10 and over, and $3 for seniors 60 and over. Children under 10 get free admission. Special admission rates apply on Armed Forces Day, Aug. 3, when visitors with a valid military I.D. get into the fair free all day. The perk includes a spouse and children younger than 18. And on Senior Day, Aug. 6, visitors age 62 and older will be admitted at no charge.

Amusement rides and games will be open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 5-9 and from noon to 11 p.m. on Aug. 3, 4 and 10. Some of the featured acts include:

PETER WOOD: EXPLORER OF THE IMPOSSIBLE: Shares amazing objects and comedy in an interactive magic show. Show times: SAT (8/3), MON (8/5), WED (8/7), FRI (8/9): 11AM, 12:30PM & 2PM ;SECOND SAT (8/10): 1PM, 2PM & 3PM

HOGWAY SPEEDWAY RACING PIGS: Daily throughout the week, post times TBD. Root for your favorite pig at the Hogway Speedway across from the main exhibition hall.

CHAINSAW CARVING BY PAUL: Find him every day during the fair on the Midway Boulevard west of the Home Arts Building. Paul Waclo translates images into three dimensions from large pieces of wood. His speed, technique, and detail combine as he creates his intricate designs. SHEEP DOG DEMONSTRATIONS: At the horse show ring MON (8/5), TUES (8/6), AND THURS (8/8): 5:00PM AND 7:00 PM. Watch, listen, and learn about the partnership between the handler and working sheep dogs. They will work together to herd sheep around the arena and through various obstacles.