Dust off the boots and loosen the belts — it is time once again for the live music, fried food and family fun of the Berrien County Youth Fair.

Now in its 71st year, the fair attracts more than 120,000 people into the fairgrounds in Berrien Springs on an annual basis. This year’s fair is scheduled to run from Monday, Aug. 15 through Saturday, Aug. 20.

While many people come for the food and the rides, the fair is also the time when the county’s youth get to show of their hard work through exhibits ranging from farm animals to crafts to baked goods.

More than 2,000 youth are expected to participate this year, displaying nearly 12,000 exhibits to fairgoers.

While the fair officially opens with rides and exhibits on Monday, the fair’s Prince and Princess and King and Queen contests kick off pre-fair festivities Sunday evening. The prince and princess competition begins at 6:30 p.m. with the king and queen contest following at 7:30 p.m. Both events are free and will take place in the grandstand.

Five girls are vying for title of fair queen, including Cloe Forray-Molica, of Buchanan; Ciara Kibby, of Coloma; Brittany Litka, of Buchanan Mikaela Schunknecht, of Buchanan; and Serena Sommer, of Eau Claire. Austin Soos, of Berrien Springs, is the only competitor in the king contest. The names of the prince and princess contestants were not provided.

Jill Hein, the fair’s marketing director, encouraged people to stop by the historical building to view displays focuses on the 1960s. People will have the chance to win tickets to the grandstand concert, The Happy Together Tour, by completing a scavenger hunt in the historical building Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

New this year, Hein said, is the Ag-Fest from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 in the Ag-Expo building.

The free event will feature a magic show, face painting, modern agriculture presentation, an ice cream social and an accordion polka party.

People can also win prizes during the fair’s Great American Duck Race, which will take place multiple times throughout the day near the Ag-Expo building. Organizers will select members of the audience to hold and release one of four Mallard ducks onto a water track. The person whose duck finishes first gets a prize.

Although gates open at 7:30 a.m. Monday, most exhibit buildings will not be ready until 11 a.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children ages 5 to 12. Season passes cost $20 for adults, $10 for children and $13 for seniors.

Children will gain free entry to the fair during kids’ day on Tuesday, which includes three free circus shows in the grandstand.

Carnival rides open at 6 p.m. Monday and at 11 a.m. the rest of the week. The park closes at 10 p.m. daily. Wrist bands for all day rides can be purchased for $22 Monday through Thursday and for $25 Friday and Saturday.

Daily entertainment will be offered for free on the Al Barbott Memorial Stage in the mall area.

Tram service will be available from the yellow parking lot near gate three from 6 to 10 p.m.