ANNA, Ill. -- A pet parade, a tradition at the Union County Fair, will kickoff today's activities at the annual fair, being held this week at the Union County Fairgrounds here.

This year marks the 40th year for the parade, which was added to the fair activities in August 1955.

All pets are welcome. In past years, youngsters have paraded lizards, snakes, rabbits, cats and dogs in the annual event. Among awards are those for oddest pet, best-groomed pet and most unique pet.

The pet parade will line up between 3 and 3:45 p.m. for today's 4 p.m. event.

The 115th annual Union County Fair started Saturday with a junior horse show, but the fair "officially" opens today with the pet parade.

A 7 p.m. community worship will be held today.

The annual fair features a queen pageant, rodeo action, demolition derbies, harness racing and country mule and pony racing, and farm exhibits throughout the week.

Missing from the fair this year is the old grandstands, which were destroyed by fire in September. A new grandstand is being built and part of it will be available for the 1995 fair.

Among grandstand events this year will be the queen coronation Monday at 8 p.m.; championship rodeo Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; tractor pull Wednesday, 7 p.m.; demolition derby at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and racking horse show Saturday, 6 p.m.

Harness racing will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Mule and pony racing will follow harness racing each day.