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WRENTHAM - The Crackerbarrel Fair opens Thursday for its four-day, end-of-summer run. The 28th annual event includes a popular road race, as well as carnival rides and games, food, crafts, animal exhibitions, musical entertainment and a fireworks display.

The fair is held on the fairgrounds of the Wrentham Developmental Center off Shears Street, and off Franklin Street (Route 140.) The times are Thursday and Friday, 5 to 10 p.m; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, noon until 7 p.m.

Rides and food booths open at noon Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday will be bracelet day, with all rides $20 from noon to 6 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but there is a $3 parking fee to support the Wrentham Lions Club's charities and the Friends of Wrentham, which sponsors the fair as a fundraiser for the developmental center's residents.

"It should be a nice family event," said Tony Marano, director of volunteer services and special projects at the center.

Throughout the fair, there will be hayrides pulled by an antique tractor, and throughout the weekend there will be magicians, jugglers, and face painters. Saturday morning beginning at 10 is the annual flea market, and there will be a climbing wall at noon, reptile shows at 1 and 3 p.m., a Frisbee dog show 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., chicken barbecue at 4 p.m. and magic show at 5 p.m. Fireworks light up the sky at 10 p.m.

On Sunday, there will be an antique tractor show at 9 a.m., a pie-eating contest, a dance performance by the local Showcase Dance Productions at 1 p.m., and a reptile show at 2 p.m.

There is live music throughout the fair. On Friday, Treelyne will be playing acoustic classic rock; Saturday, there will be two shows by an acclaimed group that uses musical instruments from around the world, The Rhythm Room, at 2 and 6 p.m., and the Elvis Legends Performance returns from 8 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday afternoon, the Reminisants will play oldies.

The Norfolk County 4-H Program is holding its eighth annual Fall Open House Fridays through Sundays to recruit new members and volunteers, provide opportunities for 4-H members to exhibit, and to raise money to support the program during difficult budget times. Several livestock shows are Saturday, and a hands-on rabbit exhibit on both Saturday and Sunday conducted by the Cottontail 4-H Club. A sheep show starts at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

On Sunday, the Norfolk County 4-H Program will again sponsor a Costume Pet Parade. Registration, at $3, is at 10:30 a.m., with the parade scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Pets need to be on a leash or in a cage that can be pulled or carried. All types of animals are welcome, and stuffed animals will be accepted. Prizes will be awarded, and the event will be held rain or shine. For information, call the 4-H Office at 508-668-9793.

The annual 5K Crackerbarrel Classic road race/walk kicks off Saturday at 9 a.m. from the bandstand. The course is a 3.1 mile loop around scenic, flat country roads. Water stations are along the course and at the finish line.

The first 100 registered participants get T-shirts. Trophies will be awarded to top three finishers in each division, and there are raffle prizes. There will be a breakfast buffet for all participants compliments of Tom's Tavern. Entry Fee: $17 pre-registration; $20 race day. For more information, contact Rich Katno, race director, at 508-384-1682. senseikat@verizon.net. The fair raises money for exercise equipment and trips for developmental center residents.

For more information and to volunteer, go to friendsofwrentham.org, or contact Tony Marano at 508-384-1635.