The Howard County Fair is back. Here’s how to master the fair.

The dog days of summer are here and, with them, the Howard County Fair.

Go check out the animals and the midway rides at the West Friendship fairgrounds and enjoy some fried foods and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

The 80th annual Howard County Fair runs through Saturday. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The fair celebrates the county’s agriculture tradition as fairgoers can learn all about livestock, beekeeping and admire award winning flowers, vegetables and honey.

Adults and children in agricultural education programs such as 4-H and Future Farmers of America can participate in daily animal competitions and showcases. Such events include mule-pulling and antique tractor pulls.

Whether you’re a seasoned fairgoer or a first-timer, here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your Howard County Fair visit.

How to get there

The fairgrounds are off Frederick Road but can be seen from Interstate 70 as you drive west from Ellicott City.

Take exit 80 — Route 32 — off the highway and turn south toward Clarskville, then right on Frederick Road and right on Fairgrounds Road.

Parking is free and plentiful. While some past events caused traffic jams on the roads leading into the fairgrounds, there were no backups Sunday. However, Friday and Saturday could see more congestion getting into the fair.

Skip (some) lines

To maximize your fun time in the fair, make some purchases ahead of time. Admission tickets can be purchased through the fair’s website. Fairgoers who purchase tickets online can enter through a separate entrance, which had no waiting time Sunday evening.

The midway rides draw big crowds every year. Plan ahead to purchase credits or unlimited ride wristbands. While advanced online sales are over, make purchases for rides your first stop upon entering the fair. By Sunday evening, dozens of people were lined up waiting to buy ride passes.

The fair also offers amusement ride specials throughout the week.

Stay cool

There’s no reason to sugarcoat it: It’s hot out. While most fair activities are outdoors, there are a few spots to seek some refuge from the heat.

Take some respite inside the contest tent and be amazed by the variety of tomatoes, peppers, flowers and herbs grown by your Howard County neighbors. At the back of the tent, learn all about bees and their importance as pollinators.

Or head over to the Main Exhibition Hall to cool off with a cold beer or cider. For those not of imbibing age, the hall also sells nonalcoholic cold drinks and has a variety of vendors selling handmade crafts, old fashioned candy and aromatherapy. Plus, there’s an interactive butterfly tent and face painting for kids.

Find the hidden gems

Want to dunk a member of the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department? For a few bucks you can try your hand at shooting a basketball into the basket and watching the dunk tank swallow ehm up.

Or take a few minutes and watch in awe as Paul Waclo sculpts animals from large pieces of wood with a chainsaw. An auction for his creations will take place at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, the fair’s last day.

Tucked away in the Main Exhibition Hall is a mechanical bull. Do you have what it takes to stay on for more than a few seconds?

Visit the critter barn

While there are no pig races this year, little piglets still can be found at the fairgrounds. Stop by the Critter Barn to pet them or the extremely soft rabbits, baby chicks and more.

But be mindful that the critter barn closes daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to allow for the little ones to get some shut-eye.

No matter your age …

Enjoy the fair! Play some games, eat some fried foods and go on rides!

I embraced my childhood nostalgia and enjoyed a freshly squeezed lemonade, chicken fingers and fries, and, of course, fried Oreos. If you’re looking for non-fried food, there’s plenty, including sausage and peppers, pit beef sandwiches, smoked turkey legs and ice cream.

While I didn’t take my own advice and purchase ride credits as soon as I entered the fair, I did play some classic carnival games. I tried my hand at popping as many balloons as I could and finding the lucky duck. When I cashed in my winnings, I picked out stuffed animals for my nieces: an otter and a neon rainbow dinosaur.