A judge looks over sheep at last year's Big Butler Fair. Besides livestock exhibits and contests, this year's fair offers three new performances. It also brings back popular performances.

FRANKLIN TWP — The Big Butler Fair opens today and runs for nine days through July 7. Gates open at 9 a.m. daily, with the carnival beginning at 1 p.m. daily.

Admission before 4 p.m. is $5 per person; after 4 p.m. the cost is $7 per person. Children younger than age 2 are admitted free. Admission does not include rides passes, which are $10 before 4 p.m. and $12 after 4 p.m.

Following is a schedule of events:

• 8 p.m. — The Clarks at the Big Butler Fair grandstand• Bike Night — Ride your motorcycle on the racetrack through the Pit Gate via the West Gate of the fairgrounds. Participants also receive free fairground admission. No more than two people per bike allowed.

• 9 a.m. — Judging junior beef and chickens• 10 a.m. — Harness racing• Noon — CDL trucker's day, includes contest, drag racing and truck pulls. Drivers with trucks will receive free admission until 3 p.m.• 2:30 p.m. — Jackpot game horse show• 7 p.m. — Church service at the Draft Horse Ring

• 9 a.m. — WPA Draft Horse and Pony Show• 9 a.m. — Judging rabbits• 9 a.m. — Judging chickens• 6 p.m. — Shepherd's lead line• 7 p.m. — School bus demolition derby

• 9 a.m. — Youth horse and pony show• 9 a.m. — Judging sheep and antique farm machinery• 11 a.m. — Judging rabbits• 12:30 p.m. — Judging goats• 7 p.m. — Giant car demolition derby

• 9 a.m. — Pony show• 9 a.m. — Judging swine• 9:30 a.m. — Judging dairy• 10 a.m. — Draft horse halter• 6 p.m. — Draft horse hitch and obstacle driving• 6:30 p.m. — Kids parade in the Dairy Arena• 7 p.m. — Celebrity milking contest• 7 p.m. — Amateur boxing; track seating is $5 and grandstand seating is free

• 9 a.m. — Judging sheep• 9 a.m. — Judging dairy• 10 a.m. — Draft horse cart classes• 1 p.m. — Judging rabbits• 3 p.m. — Livestock judging contest• 6 p.m. — Animal costume classes• 7 p.m. — Figure 8 races• 8 p.m. — Free giant sundaes• Fourth of July fireworks display. In case of rain, the fireworks would be July 5.

• 9 a.m. — Butler Fair horse show• 3 p.m. — Draft horse hitch classes• 7 p.m. — 4 x 4 truck pulls by Full Pull Productions

• 9 a.m. — Butler Fair horse show• 4 p.m. — Single draft horse pulls• 5:30 p.m. — Double horse pulls• 5:30 p.m. — Kid pedal power pulls• 7:30 p.m. — Annual youth awards program• 8 p.m. — Colgate Country Concert

• Noon — Y108 Freedom Fest Concert featuring Craig Morgan, PovertyNeck Hillbillies, Joe Patrick, The Todd Jones Band and other bands. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com for $12, including fair admission, or for $12 at the gate, not including fair admission.