The 71st Clark County Fair & Horse Show kicks off Saturday.

Nancy Wills, a member of the fair board, said more than 15,000 people usually attend the festivities throughout fair week.

“I think we try to offer things for all members of the family,” Wills said.

Carnival rides won’t be open until Tuesday but Saturday still has a packed schedule with its Central Kentucky District Youth Beef Show at 8 a.m., the Antique Tractor and Machine Club Show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Horse Show at 5 p.m. and the Open Beef Show at 5 p.m.

Admission is $5 or $3 a head for the beef show only.

Clark County’s littlest residents also kick off the festivities Saturday for the first round of pageants.

Baby pageants A and B, the Duke-Duchess and Prince-Princess pageant, and the Little Miss and Mister pageant will be the first pageant events starting Saturday morning at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.

Baby pageant A is for boys and girls ages newborn to six months and pageant B is for seven months to 1-year-old.

The Duke and Duchess pageant is for boys and girls 13 months to 2 years old, and Little Prince and Princess is for boys and girls 3 to 4 years old.

Contestants will compete for first through fourth place, as well as Best Smile and Best Personality.

The Little Miss and Mister competition is the final pageant Saturday and is for contestants who, by June 30, have reached their 5th birthday and shall not have reached their 8th birthday. The winners will move on to compete at the state level in August.

Participants must submit their entries for the 4-H, FFA and Home Ec. contests Monday. Wills said these contests provide an opportunity for Clark County residents to showcase their talents.

Carnival rides officially kick off Tuesday; the fairgrounds open at 5 p.m. and rides begin at 6 p.m. and usually go until about 11 p.m., Wills said. Admission is $10 and allows attendees to ride all rides.

Dino-Roar, Mark Comley Magic Shows and the petting zoo will also be features of the fair this year Tuesday through Thursday, with the magic shows and petting zoo continuing Friday and Saturday.

Wills said the Dino-Roar is a brand-new attraction. Dinosaurs will roam the fairgrounds, and fairgoers can explore the fossil tent. Dino-Roar will also have two shows a night June 18-20.

Also on Tuesday is the Open Goat Show at 6 p.m.; the Ag Hall of Fame at 7 p.m. and the ATV and Truck Drag at 7 p.m.

The competition for the highest titles of fair week, Miss Clark County and Miss Clark County Fair, is also Tuesday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. Contestants must be ages 16-21 and will compete in interview, one-piece swimsuit and evening gown categories. Awards include overall winner, local winner, a first-, second- and third-runners up as well as Miss Congeniality and Best Smile awards.

The glitz and glamour will continue through fair week picking back up Wednesday, June 19, with the Miss Teen Clark County pageant at 7:30 p.m. In this division, girls ages 13 to 16 will compete for Miss Teen Clark County, who will be a local representative and reign throughout the fair, and Miss Teen Clark County Fair, who will represent Clark County at the Kentucky Association of County Fairs.

Also on Wednesday is the Pedal Pull at 6 p.m., Poultry Show at 7 p.m., Farm Bureau Old Fashioned Fair Games at 7 p.m. and the Garden Tractor Pull at 7 p.m.

Girls ages 8-13 will compete in the final pageant, Miss Pre-Teen Clark County Pageant, Thursday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m.

Fair attendees can also check out the Open Swine Show at 7 p.m. and the Demo Derby (SUVs, Mini Vans, Mini Trucks and Bone Stock) at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Friday’s fair festivities include the Open Sheep Show at 6 p.m. and the Battle of the Bluegrass Truck and Tractor Pull at 8 p.m.

Wills said the Demo Derby featuring SUVs, mini vans and more is also brand new.

The fair wraps Saturday, June 22, with a Power Wheels Derby at 7 p.m. and a Demolition Derby at 8 p.m. Participants can also pick up their 4-H, FFA, Home Ec. contest entries Saturday.

Complete information about each of the fair’s events, including various registration details, rules and regulations and prizes, can be found online at clarkcountykyfair.org

“We invite everybody to come out and enjoy the fair,” Wills said.