Security guard Carol Schaub takes a photo Monday of the Ober family, from left, Eli, Valerie and Eric with Yule, a Brown Swiss cross, and Lee, a pure Brown Swiss ox. According to owner Doug Drewes, the Brown Swiss oxen are the largest in the United States.

Although she is only 3 years old, Anna Richner has been to the Big Butler Fair twice already, and it would have been three times if last year's fair hadn't been canceled.

Anna proved her familiarity with the fair when she beat her mother, Sarah Richner, at the water-shooting carnival game in which players need to hit a target to get their horse to the top of a pole first.

“We try to make it out every year,” said Sarah Richner, who's from Westmoreland County.

The Big Butler Fair kicked off Friday night, opening its gates to more than 50 vendors, more than a dozen rides and even more games, activities, shows and entertainment.

Mike Roenigk, president of the Big Butler Fair board of directors, told the Eagle last week that just about anyone could find something to enjoy at the fair. And while each day has some different shows or entertainment planned, some of the biggest attractions, such as the food and rides, are available daily.

“Every night there is some sort of show included with your admission prices,” Roenigk said. “We're hoping then it's bigger than it was years previously.”

Daily the fair offers a petting zoo, a giant ox display, clowns, wood carver shows, a comedic hypnotist show, a blacksmith show and a magic show.Tom and Bridgette Ladie of Sarver brought their grandson, Marquees Scott, to the fair Monday.“He's 5-and-a-half years old, so he really likes the animals,” Tom Ladie said. “It's just the being here with family, walking around.”Even before the fair started, people began visiting the grounds last week to watch the fair set up or the harness racing. For them as well, just being on the fairgrounds was a nice experience.“It's just being here, walking around,” said Bob Jesteadt of Muddy Creek Township. “You see people every year maybe you haven't seen since the last year.”Even people who have visited the fair annually for years still find enjoyment.Gavon Slater, vice president of the fair board, said he has been going to the Big Butler Fair since he was “in strollers.” Even after attending for years and being involved in its planning, Slater looks forward to the fair every year.“I love it every year,” Slater said. “I missed it so bad last year it was unbelievable.”Information on the Big Butler Fair's schedule and admission prices is available on its website at bigbutlerfair.com.

Charlotte Welsch, 5, of Center Township, helps her mother, Shannon Welsch, of White Birch Farms, on Monday prepare Rosmaree, a 6-month-old Short Horn cow, for competition at the Big Butler Fair.