The fair, held annually on the last weekend in August, has traditionally been a celebration of produce and livestock for local farmers. The three-and-a-half day celebration provides the perfect opportunity for a big old country party just before the corn and soybean harvest.

"It is a showcase of the agricultural tradition this community is all about," said Mayor Katie Trombetta on the eve of the fair. "To be able to sustain such a function in a little community like West Lincoln for 131 years is a tremendous feat."

She gave kudos to the Smithville Agricultural Society for their commitment to making every edition of the Smithville Fair a little bigger and a little better.

The 2008 fair will feature a variety of brand-new events, such as a fire-truck pulling competition between local departments, to see which municipality can pull it the furthest down the newly improved dirt track.

The expanded track will also play host for Sunday's grand finale - a figure-eight race at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday's slate begins when the gates open at 4 p.m. Opening ceremonies will be held on the grandstand stage at 6 p.m. and the four-cylinder demo derby will follow at 7 p.m.

Friday is Kids' Day, featuring a variety of children's activities and 4-H competitions between 10 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The fire truck pull will occur Saturday at 5 p.m., just prior to the six- and eight-cylinder demo derbies at 7 p.m.

Admission to the fair is $5 for adults, $2 for those age six to 12, while anyone five and under is free.

All monies collected will go towards the production of the fair.

Planning for the fair has been ongoing throughout the year, during Smithville Ag Society meetings held every Monday in the arena hall. About 100 volunteers collaborate to put the fair on.