Horses and hogs will play starring roles in the Washington County Fair from Saturday through Aug. 16, as will sheep, goats, chickens and beef cattle.

County fairs traditionally are all about farm animals, and this one is as American as apple pie -- literally -- as more than 50 cooks are expected to compete in the blue ribbon apple pie contest.

The Washington County Fair is large and long-running. More than 70,000 came last year to the fairgrounds, located on North Main Street in Chartiers.

This fair has evolved over the years, adding some changes from the traditional county fair theme. As usual, there will be judging of jams and jellies, as well as livestock.

There will be lots of entertainment, including country music performances. But the big headliner at 7 p.m. Saturday is The Clarks, the Pittsburgh-based rock group that has had national hits such as "Penny on the Floor," "Cigarette" and "Mercury."

One of the most popular annual events is the School bus demolition derby, said Nadine Gardner, secretary of the 11-member fair board that works year-round with no pay to put the fair together.

"We buy 10 school buses which are painted in the colors of the high school bands" that will perform at 6 p.m. Aug. 13, Mrs. Gardner said. The school bus demolition begins at 8 p.m.

A 4-cylinder demolition derby starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 12, and the more traditional demolition derby will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 16.

The fair officially opens at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Spam contest. Cooks compete with their favorite recipes for the block-shaped pork product that many people love to hate.

Fair-lovers are welcome to drop in on Friday, when animals are being moved into the fair barns. There's also an antique tractor pull scheduled for 6 p.m. that night.

Mrs. Gardner has volunteered on the fair board for 18 years. Her family's black Angus beef cattle, raised on the family farm in Lone Pine, will also be coming to the fair.

Daily admission is $9 most days, but there are $6 discount admissions next Sunday and Aug. 12. Seniors 62 and older are admitted free until 4 p.m. Aug. 11, and children 12 and under are admitted free until 4 p.m. Aug. 15. The admission fee includes parking and admission to rides, which operate daily from 1 to 11 p.m. The fair opens daily at 9 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m.

Go to www.washingtonfair.org for further information. Scheduled events include:

Saturday

10 a.m., Lawn and garden tractor pull;

11 a.m., Hershey Cocoa cookie contest;

Noon, Hershey Cocoa cake contest;

1 p.m., Blue ribbon apple pie contest;

2 p.m., Angel food cake contest;

7 p.m., Fair queen contest; and

7 p.m., The Clarks.

Next Sunday

8 a.m., Draft horse halter classes;

10 a.m., Classic car show;

2 p.m., All American Dance Academy;

3 p.m., Dance With Me by Sisters 3;

3 p.m., Pets on parade;

7 p.m., Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners;

8 p.m., Pony pulls; and

8 p.m., Stampede country band.

Aug. 11

9 a.m., Tractor driving contest;

9 a.m., Open rabbit show;

10 a.m., Harness racing;

11 a.m., Spinning contest in wool room;

11 a.m., Senior citizens activities;

2 p.m., Dan and Galla entertainment; and

6 p.m., Mon Valley Cloggers.

Aug. 12

8:30 a.m., Junior rabbit show;

9 a.m., Poultry show;

3 p.m., Cheerleading;

7 p.m. 4-cylinder demolition derby and

8 p.m., Karaoke, Dave Mc- Murdy.

Aug. 13

8 a.m., Light horse and pony halter classes;

10 a.m., Harness racing;

11 a.m., 4-H and FFA dairy showmanship;

1 p.m., Under-8 kiddy dairy showmanship;

6 p.m., Senior high school bands;

8 p.m., School bus demolition derby; and

8 p.m., Broken Spoke country band.

Aug. 14

8 a.m., Breeding sheep, open and junior;

9 a.m., 4-H horse and pony show;

9 a.m., Dairy show;

4 p.m., Boer goat show; and

8 p.m., Freestyle Motocross jump off.

Aug. 15

9 a.m., 4-H horse and pony show;

9 a.m., Dairy goat show;

1 p.m., Animals on hoof dressing contest; and

5 and 8 p.m., Magician Bill Horner.

Aug. 16

9 a.m., Farm tractor pull;

10 a.m., Market livestock sale -- hogs, lambs and steers;

7 p.m., Demolition derby; and

8 p.m., Country singer Brynn Marie.