Premium books for the 51st annual Elizabethtown Fair are now available. Books may be obtained at Brandt's Farm Supply, the Elizabethtown Borough Office, Groff's Meats, White Oak Mills, the Winters Heritage House Museum, B & G Lumber, Messick's, JB Hostetter & Sons and The Country Store. The books include information on livestock and competitive exhibits as well as children's and adult contests. Some of these entries have early deadlines. Entry information is also available at http://www.etownfair.com.

The cover artwork was painted by local artist Nancy Landis. The image was painted on a 24-inch-diameter metal buzz saw blade, and the scene depicts the blade in action, powered by a Farmall M tractor. The background farm is that of Nelson Hollinger, an Elizabethtown antique tractor enthusiast. The sawblade will be sold at annual Elizabethtown Fair auction.

The saw blade will be on display with the competitive exhibits in the Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, 996 E. High St., Elizabethtown, during the fair.

The 51st annual fair will run from Monday to Saturday, Aug. 19 to 24. Area FFA and 4-H members and others will show their dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and rabbits during competitive judging held through the week. The deadline for livestock entries is Thursday, Aug. 1. For information on entering livestock in the fair, contact Sharon Fullerton at 717-689-0010 or visit the aforementioned website.

Residents of all ages are encouraged to enter their crafts, needlework, baked goods, produce, and plants in the competitive exhibits judging, held annually at the Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church. For additional information on these entries, call Linda McKinne at 717-653-8782 or visit the aforementioned website and click on Exhibitors.

Fair organizers have also announced the Elizabethtown Fair Queen program.

Wednesday, July 10, is the deadline to submit biographical information and a signed photograph release form as well as the deadline to submit a typed digital copy of the contestant's essay and application to the Fair Queen program coordinator.

To be eligible, a contestant must live in Lancaster, Lebanon, or Dauphin county; be at least age 16 and not over the age of 20 by June 1; have her parents' or guardians' consent; be single and never married and have had no children and must not marry or become pregnant during her reign; not be a former local fair queen winner or state contestant; and not hold any other state title for any other commodity groups or pageant during her reign.

Components of the competition include a written essay of 300 words or fewer on the topic "What My Fair Means to My Community," a personal interview, and a three- to five-minute speech on the topic of "Why You Should Come to My Fair." Contestants must also answer an impromptu question. Traditionally, part of the competition takes place on the opening night of the Elizabethtown Fair in August.

Premiums for the Fair Queen and the alternate will be awarded as scholarships for higher education. The Fair Queen will receive $1,000, and the alternate will receive $500.

The Fair Queen will reign for one year. During her reign, she will participate in the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Competition, to be held in Hershey in January 2025. The Fair Queen will also participate in fair activities throughout the fair week and represent the fair at various functions during her reign. School scheduling will be taken into consideration for events to the best of the program's ability.

Applications must be submitted fully online using Google Forms. For more information, including an application, visit the aforementioned website and look under Contests, search for "Elizabethtown Fair Queen Program" on Facebook or email etownfairqueen@gmail.com.