Workers put the finishing touches on a train ride at the Big Butler Fairgrounds.

It’s back in Butler and bigger than ever.

The Big Butler Fair returns for its 164th summer.

The fair officially begins at 9 a.m. Friday, despite a preliminary round for the harness races taking place at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The carnival opens daily, but the times at which it opens varies throughout the nine-day fair. Official times for all events are available on the fair’s website.

Classic activities — such as the racing events, animal competitions and pulling competitions — remain in this year’s lineup, according to event coordinator Ben Roenigk.

This is an excerpt — pick up Thursday’s Butler Eagle or subscribe online to read which other events and music, old and new, will be at the fair.