WESTPORT -- This year's Essex County Fair will see the return of the popular barbecue pit and the introduction of an interactive firefighter training show for children.

Fair Manager Irwin Bordon, who just took over the event, said they're also taking special precautions to make sure cars and trucks don't get stuck in the parking lot if it rains.

The 160th Essex County Fair starts at 9 a.m. today with an open draft horse show. Admission is $10 a person and includes rides provided by Dreamland Amusements.

"There's a lot that's new this year," Bordon said. "The new firefighter training show is interactive for the kids. They crawl through a smoke-filled building. They'll take kids right out of the crowd."

The firefighting show is three times a day on the South Lawn Entertainment Area.

Also new at the fair will be chainsaw woodcarver Matthew "Saw Dog" Hass of Vermont.

Bordon said Hass will carve bears and other animals from logs.

"He said he doesn't know what he'll carve until he walks up to a piece of wood."

Hass's work will be auctioned off during the fair, and he'll do four shows a day.

The barbecue pit has been reinstated, Bordon said.

"People requested it. It's back by popular demand."

One new event this year is the Essex County Idol contest, to be held at 7 Friday night in the grandstand, with a $5 admission fee.

"They (contestants) already qualified in Ticonderoga and Keene, so there should be some good entertainment," Bordon said.

"I think that event will be very popular."

The fair will also feature the Norsemen, a rock-and-roll band from the Plattsburgh area that was originally formed 36 years ago. They're back together and will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday on the South Lawn.