For tonight only, peanuts can be used as money.
Centre Region
But solely at the 44th Annual Centre Region Parks and Recreation Peanut Carnival, which begins at 6 p.m. at Park Forrest Middle School, 2180 School Drive.
Parks and Recreation Craft Supervisor June Brown said peanuts have been used as currency at the festival since it first began when a former Parks and Recreation director brought the idea from England.
Though the currency factor has stayed consistent throughout the carnival's years, the theme has not. Brown said a different theme is used each year that the children have to incorporate into their game's decorations.
"The theme this year is 'Under the Sea,' " Brown said. "There are fishing games, discs that you pitch over the arms of the Octopus... endangered species, oil spills, beaches with sunken treasure, steam ships and cruise ships and many different sea animals. Everything is generated by the children in the different groups who attend the different camps."
The decorations will then be judged based on the "best use of theme, best use of crate paper, best use of color, best use of decorative background and best use of overall decorations," Brown said.
Over the years, Brown said the carnival has really become a family affair because many of the adults who once took part in designing the games bring their children back to the carnival.
For 25 cents, patrons can purchase peanuts that can then be used to play the various games designed by the children from the two KIDVenture camps, Brown said.
For the same price, drinks and raffle tickets may also be purchased.
Pleasant Gap
But the 44th Annual CRPR Peanut Carnival is not the only carnival happening this week. From July 28 to July 31, the Pleasant Gap Fire Company is also holding a carnival.
"The big reason that it is held is for community involvement," Pleasant Gap Fire Company's Ambulance Captain Frank Kachurak said. "It's our way to give back to the community and raise some money in the process for the fire company."
The event features "typical carnival rides," "tons of entertainment" from local bands and "great food," Kachurak said.
On Wednesday Kid's Night was held, and children could buy a discounted ride wristband for $10, as opposed to the normal price of $12.
Tonight a parade will take place, which Kachurak said is the "highlight" of the carnival.
"It's a great showing from surrounding fire companies, local bands and dance teams," he said. "it's one of the largest in the area, and we always have a really good turnout."
Another popular event at the carnival is the 4 p.m. chicken barbecue, Kachurak said.
"Traditionally every year we sell out by 4:45 p.m.," he said. "We've increased the numbers this year, but we're still looking for a sell out. [The barbecue] is renowned."
But Kachurak said his favorite part of the event is having everyone get together to support a good cause.
"It's just a great time to kick back and have a lot of fun with your fellow firefighters," he said.
Bedford County
Even though the Bedford County Fair in Bedford, Pa. is more than just a carnival, Vice President and fair gate manager Jim Edwards said there will be carnival rides and food.
"We have a carnival here, so we do have several rides," he said. "There'll be bigger rides for older children and smaller rides for small children. [We'll also have] quite a few different food booths -- tacos, hot sausage sandwiches, corndogs, fried vegetables, deep-fried oil cookies -- quite a variety."
But the Bedford County Fair -- which is occurring this week until July 31 -- does not focus only on the carnival aspect of the event. Edwards said the fair initially started nearly 140 years ago to "promote agriculture."
"It started in the fall as an autumn thing where people could get out and show their produce," he said.
For a price of $9, people will have access to the rides, breeding and showmanship competitions, various displays and motor events like auto racing and demolition derbies, Edwards said.
"Nine dollars really is a good price especially for auto racing," he said. "It's probably the best buy in the area."
Clearfield County
The next fair to happen occurs Aug. 2 through Aug. 7 in neighboring Clearfield County. This year marks its 150th year celebration, Publicity Director Brenda Hunter said.
For the celebration, the fair -- located in Clearfield, Pa. -- will feature an "outstanding line of entertainment," as well as a theme of "Celebrate and Educate," Hunter said.
With carnival rides, food, displayed art and 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) showcases, the Clearfield County Fair ranks in the top six fairs in the state, Hunter said.
She also said the fair is "a place for family and friends" to come together and visit.
Admission to the fair is $8, which includes an all day ride pass for anyone who is four or older.
Huntington County
On Aug. 7 the Huntington County Fair in Huntington, Pa., opens and runs until Aug. 14.
Jim Davis, the president of the fair, said the idea for a fair in Huntington County began in 1828 when the county decided it wanted to merge the business district with the rural part. But the fair didn't actually open until 1831.
Because of various challenges and financial issues, the fair has not happened every year, but it will occur as planned this year, Davis said.
Linda Grove, superintendent of the floral department, said the fair features animal shows, live entertainment, tractor pulls, demolition derbies and vendors in three different halls.
Grove said she thinks people enjoy coming to the fair because it is "family-oriented."
"[For] some of the kids that are showing, their parents showed and their grandparents showed," she said. "It comes to be a family tradition, and everybody looks forward to this week out of the year."
Tickets at the gate are $5.
Mifflin County
A day later, on Aug. 8, a fair featuring children opens in Mifflin County. The Mifflin County Youth Fair -- located in Reedsville, Pa. -- will stay open until Aug. 14.
The fair, which ahs been around for more than 50 years, was initially started as a "roundup for 4-H projects," said Sue Shank, administrative support assistant for continuing education at Penn State and a fair committee member.
"4-H projects can range from any livestock project or it can be cake decorating, rocketry, shooting sport, reptiles... anything imaginable," Shank said. "Anything that somebody wants to learn and were able to create a group ad make a project."
The approximately 30 projects will then be judged. First prizes, second prizes and a grand prize will be awarded in each category, Shank said.
Food catered toward children, such as candied apples and cotton candy, will be served. There will also be numerous bands performing throughout the fair, she said.
"[The fair is] a social thing for many people," Shank said. "Many people also like to see the interaction of the kids."
Shank said there is a parking fee of about $5.
Other fairs scheduled to occur throughout the summer months include the Grange Fair in Centre Hall, Pa., the Clinton County Fair in Mackeyville, PA., and the Bellefonte Arts and Craft Fair in Bellefonte.
