It's the time of year for folks in Harford County to ask other attractions to moo-ove over for a few days to make time for the annual Farm Fair.

The event officially opens Thursday, though there has been plenty of activity so far this week at the Harford County Equestrian Center off Tollgate Road in Bel Air.

From the beginning, the event's organizers have sought to keep agriculture as the core attraction of the fair, hence its name, the Harford County Farm Fair, as opposed to just the county fair.

The Farm Fair was devised, to a large degree, to give local 4-H clubs a bigger stage for their wares. Though this youth organization had a fair of sorts for generations prior to the establishment of the Farm Fair, the event wasn't of the scale of the modern Farm Fair.

And true to form, a major part of this year's event no doubt will be the prize-winning livestock, produce, arts and crafts showcased by 4-H club members from across Harford County. This tradition is a key part of the fair.

Another key tradition has involved not having what many might regard as a traditional county fair mainstay, a carnival midway. Instead, there's what organizers have called a Kidway, a series of free attractions for kids, highlighted by moon-bounces and face painting.

More than a few parents welcome this relatively inexpensive attraction.

That doesn't mean it's all kid stuff and cows. An array of entertainment to include dog (Dock Dogs) and pony shows, tractor pulls, pig races, musicians and performers will also be available for those who pay the entrance fee.

All in all, it's a good time for not a lot of money, a fair deal, if you will.