Summertime means fair and festivals are in the air to give residents and visitors a chance to amuse themselves on carnival rides, eat cotton candy and candy apples or just while away a warm evening with friends.

The following fests are among those happening this week in the area:

The Sharpsville Booster Carnival will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. today through Saturday on Walnut Street (next to Sharpsville VFW).

Highlights include: rides and games by Swank's Steel City Shows, chicken and roast beef dinners and bingo in the VFW.

Grove City Chamber of Commerce will sponsor Paddle, Pedal & Hoof at 3 p.m. Friday.

The unique relay race begins with paddling on Wolf Creek, followed by biking on the bike trail and running along Greenwood Drive. This is a team relay using up to four people. Register at the chamber, 111 W. Pine St.

Grove City Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Community Patriotic Program at 8 p.m. Friday on the lower campus of Grove City College.

The 39th annual Mercer County Grange Fair, sponsored by the Mercer County Pomona Grange, will be Sunday through July 12 at the grange fair grounds, state Route 58, east of Mercer.

Highlights include:

   » Sunday -- Dining room opens, 1 p.m.; horse pull, 1:30 p.m.; Fair Queen Contest, sponsored by Mercer County State Bank, 6 p.m.; inspirational music by the Keeling Family, 7 p.m.

   » Monday -- Entry for exhibit building and barn, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Dairy Princess promotion, 5 p.m.; Little Guys and Dolls and Grange Royalty Contests, 6 p.m.; ATV, garden tractor and antique tractor pulls, 7 p.m.; Rhythm 'n Flair -- Barbershop Harmony, 8 p.m.

   » Tuesday -- Senior Citizen Day activities, including Farmer's Market nutritional program, 10 a.m.; baked goods and produce auction, 6 p.m.; parade, sponsored by Dean Dairy, 7 p.m.; music of Hot 101's A.C. McCullough, after parade; pageant -- History of the Flag, 8 p.m.; music by The Good Old Boys, Grove City AARP Kitchen Band, Mercer Line Dancers and Music Therapy by Judy Christ.

   » July 9 -- Animal "Dress Up" Contest, 6 p.m.; concert by Stone-Ridge Country Band, 6:30 p.m.; "Memories of Conway," Michael and Tre Twitty and Taria Lee Green sing songs that made Conway a legend, 8 p.m.

   » July 10 -- Pet parade, sponsored by Dad's Pet Care, 6 p.m.; demolition derby, 7 p.m.; Satin Swing -- Barbershop Harmony, 7:30 p.m.; concert by The Melodaries, 8:30 p.m.

   » July 11 -- A.T.P.A.-sanctioned championship semi, truck and tractor pull, 7 p.m.; concert by Mercer County Jamboree, 8 p.m.

   » July 12 -- Horse show, 9 a.m.; "An Afternoon on the Farm" family games, 2 p.m.; Traveling Shoe -- cloggers, 5 p.m.; Mossman Duo -- "oldies" sing-a-long, 7 p.m.; Rocking Chair Country -- square dance, 9 p.m.; fireworks, 11 p.m.

Other activities include: lunches served at 11 a.m. and dinners at 3:30 p.m.; bingo; rides and amusements by Bartlebaugh Amusements Inc.; helicopter rides by Helicopter Resources of Mars, Pa.; exhibits; food; and Pennsylvania Woodmobile, sponsored by Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council, Pa. Department of Agriculture, providing information on the state's forest resource and products industry.

Information: Ginny Richardson, (724) 748-4007 or Bill Straub, (724) 588-6134.