GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Fair is returning for its 174th year this weekend, with a host of new and familiar events expected to bring in as many as 25,000 guests.

“Between the two thrill shows, the excitement is already growing rapidly among my board,” said Franklin County Agricultural Society President Mike Nelson, referring to the Overdrive Monster Truck Show and Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby. The agricultural society organizes the fair and manages the Wisdom Way fairgrounds. “We’ve been excited for a few months getting our entertainment schedule lined up.”

The fair, which kicks off Thursday evening at 5 p.m. with a parade, will continue through Sunday.

“Our annual parade is always a huge hit,” Nelson said. That’s really the kick-off where everybody really gets excited.”

Though many familiar classics will return, including the Flying High Dogs, Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs) and the Hager’s Farm Fried Dough Eating Contest, new attractions include the Axe Women Loggers of Maine. Also new to the fair this year, Nelson said, is the Overdrive Monster Truck Show — an event he said is fitting of this year’s theme, “Larger than Life.”

“The monster truck show is definitely what I’m looking forward to the most,” he said. “We had the monster truck show join us [at the fairgrounds] in July ... and that was really well received. That was reassuring to us.”

In addition to the thrill shows, the Franklin County Fair will offer a wide selection of rides and traditional agricultural shows.

“We have been an agricultural fair for 174 years now,” he said. “It’s really impressive and exciting that after 174 years — while we certainly have evolved and added more programming and different types of entertainment — we really have stuck to our roots as a cattle show.”

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Nelson said he’s hopeful for some good weather and good crowds.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing it to our community,” Nelson said. “We know people love the fair and we’re excited to continue the tradition for all the exciting things that go on here.”

More information and an up-to-date list of events and activities can be found at fcas.com or on the Franklin County Fair’s Facebook page, Franklin County Fairgrounds, Greenfield, Ma. Nelson cautioned people to be wary of the numerous impostor pages for the fair.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

3 p.m. — Gates open.

4 p.m. — Midway opens.

4:15 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

5 p.m. — Kick-off parade.

5 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

5:45 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

6:15 p.m. — XPOGO: Pogo Stick Stunt Show.

6:30 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

7:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

11 a.m. — Live broadcast with Mass Appeal.

3 p.m. — Gates open.

3:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

4 p.m. — Midway opens.

4:15 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

4:45 p.m. — XPOGO: Pogo Stick Stunt Show.

5:15 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

6 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

6:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

7 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

7:30 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

7:30 p.m. — Overdrive Monster Truck Show.

8 a.m. — Gates open.

11:15 a.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

11:15 a.m. — Power Wheels Demolition Derby.

Noon — Midway opens.

Noon — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

12:45 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

1:15 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

1:45 p.m. — XPOGO: Pogo Stick Stunt Show.

2 p.m. — Overdrive Monster Truck Show.

2:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

3 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

3:45 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

4:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

5:15 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

6 p.m. — Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby.

6 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

6:15 p.m. — XPOGO: Pogo Stick Stunt Show.

6:45 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

7:30 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

8 a.m. — Gates open.

11 a.m. — Emergency services parade.

11:15 a.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

Noon — Midway opens.

Noon — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

12:45 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

1:15 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

1:45 p.m. — XPOGO: Pogo Stick Stunt Show.

2 p.m. — Overdrive Monster Truck Show.

2:15 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

3 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

3:45 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

4:30 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

5:15 p.m. — Pirate Man Dan.

6 p.m. — Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby.

6 p.m. — Flying High Dogs.

6:15 p.m. — XPOGO: Pogo Stick Stunt Show.

6:45 p.m. — Rosaire’s Royal Racers (racing pigs).

7:30 p.m. — Axe Women Loggers of Maine.

4 p.m. — Music by Gravestone.

7 p.m. — Music by Rosie Porter and The Neon Moons.

5 p.m. — Music by HYFY.

8 p.m. — Music by OPEL.

11 a.m. — Skeleton Crew Theater.

12:15 p.m. — North County Line Dancers.

2 p.m. — Greenfield Tae Kwon Do.

3:45 p.m. — Tom’s of Whately Hot Day Eating Contest.

5 p.m. — Music by Matt Kim’s Rock Shop.

8 p.m. — Music by Stacked Actors.

11 a.m. — Skeleton Crew Theater.

12:15 p.m. — North County Line Dancers.

2 p.m. — Music by Dragonfly.

3:45 p.m. — Hager’s Farm Fried Dough Eating Contest.

4:45 p.m. — Music by Tracy & Company.

7:15 p.m. — Music by The Wonder Years.

10:30 a.m. — 3,100-pound class.

1 p.m. — Kids Mini Pony Class (for drivers 16 years old and younger).

3 p.m. — 3,400-pound class.

6 p.m. — Over 3,400-pound class.

9 a.m. — 2,500-pound class.

10:30 a.m. — 2,900-pound class.

12:30 p.m. — Kids 1,500-pound class (for drivers 16 years old and younger).

2 p.m. — Over 3,300-pound class.

3:30 p.m. — FFA Class.

Saturday, 9 a.m.

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m.