You can kiss a goat — or a host of other animals — at the Douglas County Fair's petting zoo, which opens at 1 p.m. today.

Keep your cool

The “cool” streak (for July) continues today with a high temperature of 83 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. The cool night temperatures continue too, with a low of 59 degrees. If you’re hoping for a hot flash before summer comes to a close, you don’t have long to wait: Temperatures will start to creep up as the week continues, with high 80s by Saturday.

Beastly good times

The animals come out at the Douglas County Fair today — from pigs to llamas to a petting zoo for kids who want to touch and not just look. The Llama Show starts at 8:30 in the Judging Arena, and the poultry is on parade at the Poultry Barn starting at 9 a.m. The petting zoo is open from 1 to 10 p.m., and ponies will be available for pony rides from 4 to 10 p.m. The ponies and petting zoo will be in Building 8. The Douglas County Fairgrounds are at 2110 Harper St.

Now we’re cooking

Watch as chefs from three popular local restaurants compete for the winning title at the Chef’s Challenge at the Douglas County Fair. Each chef will do a live demonstration and offer culinary tips while preparing an original seasonal recipe using locally sourced ingredients. The audience gets to enjoy sample dishes. This year, 2013 champion T. K. Peterson of Merchants Pub & Plate will defend his title against chefs Rick Martin of Limestone pizza + kitchen + bar and Raphael Gonzalez of Global Café. The competition is from 6 to 8 p.m. in the grass area south the of stage at the fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St.

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July 30 Douglas County Fair events

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St.

Buildings open to the public, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

7:30-9:30 a.m., Accept president’s pie baking entries, Dreher Building

8:30 a.m., Llama Show, Judging Arena

9 a.m., Poultry Showmanship Contest, Poultry Barn

1-10 p.m., Petting zoo, Building 8

4-10 p.m., Pony rides, Building 8

6-7 p.m., Naturally Nutritious Food Festival, Building 21

6-11 p.m., Moore’s Greater Shows carnival open

6 p.m., Swine Show, Judging Arena

7-10 p.m., Musical performance by The Secrets

7 p.m., Horseshoe Pitching Contest – Registration begins at 6:30 – Rodeo Arena

Other July 30 events

Red Dog’s Dog Days workout, 6 a.m., west side of South Park, 12th and Massachusetts streets.

1 Million Cups presentation, 9-10 a.m., Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County volunteer information, noon, 2518 Ridge Court.

Clinton Parkway Nursery Farmers’ Market, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Parkway.

Steak/Salmon Night, 5-7:30 p.m., Eagles Lodge, 1803 W. Sixth St.

Douglas County Commission meeting, check website at douglas-county.com for meeting time, Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

Red Dog’s Dog Days workout, 6 p.m., west side of South Park, 12th and Massachusetts streets.

Open Jam: Furst & Friends Americana, 7-9 p.m., Cutter’s Smokehouse, 218 E. 20th St., Eudora.

Conroy’s Trivia, 7:30 p.m., Conroy’s Pub, 3115 W. Sixth St.

Pride Night, 9 p.m., Wilde’s Chateau, 2412 Iowa St.