POINT PLEASANT — The 2010 Mason County Fair is officially here.

Despite humid temperatures that topped 90 degrees, several fairgoers came out to enjoy the fair on Monday. This year’s fair kicked off with the annual Youth 4-H Horse Show.

The annual show drew a large number of participants, who were awarded ribbons and trophies for their efforts (for additional horse show coverage see related story.) The greasy pole contest also took place on Monday. The fairgrounds became even more crowded in the afternoon as the carnival, which is provided by Brinkley Entertainment of Walnut Cove, N.C., officially opened.

Monday afternoon saw the start of the Mason County Fair Idol competition as well as the Jason Eades Memorial Scholarship Award presentation. The market hog showmanship and market hog show also took place. At 7 p.m., the 2010 fair was officially dedicated with the annual dedication ceremony. The Little Mister and Miss Mason County and the 2010 Mason County Fair Queen pageant also took place Monday evening (for additional details see related stories.)

The Annette Hanes Award, Amy Boggs Award, Geraldine Rayburn Award and Brandy Barkey Community Service Award were presented as well. The greasy pig contest closed out Monday’s fair events.

Today marks Senior Citizens Day at the fair, and all seniors ages 60 and up will be admitted into the fairgrounds free of charge. Today also serves as both CEOS and gospel day at the fair. Events start early with this morning’s pet parade, slated for 9:15 a.m. The junior dairy goat and market meat goat show will follow at 11 a.m. At noon, there will be an egg toss contest in the horse ring.

The carnival is set to open at 1 p.m., and several afternoon activities also are scheduled for today, including CEOS demonstrations at 1 and 3 p.m.; Mason County Fair Idol eliminations at 3 p.m.; Point Pleasant High School Band Concert at 5:45 p.m.; 4-H Scholarship Awards presentation at 5:45 p.m.; antique tractor pull at 6 p.m.; and the market lamb and special lamb show at 6 p.m. Entertainment slated for today will feature a variety of gospel selections starting with the Bo Rickard Youth in Gospel Music at 4 p.m. on the main stage. The Harry Rhodes Gospel Sing will follow at 5:30 p.m. At 8 p.m., the Gospel Showcase Spotlight will take to the main stage, with The Tribute Quartet to follow at 9 p.m.

The banana eating contest will close out this evening’s fair activities.