Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Fair Expected to Draw 300,000 : Celebration: Tank rolls onto grounds amid hectic preparations for Antelope Valley gala. Conflict-of-interest allegations cloud mood.

A 54-ton Army National Guard tank rolled though Palmdale and Lancaster on Wednesday, then entered the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, adding yet another attraction to the popular festival just two days before its opening.

The 11-day Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival, which will open at 3 p.m. Friday, is expected to attract up to 300,000 visitors from as far as Bakersfield and San Bernardino as well as the San Fernando Valley. Activities will range from traditional livestock judging to performances by nationally known country music stars.

On Wednesday, fair participants were scurrying to get the Lancaster fairgrounds in shape and putting the final touches on exhibits. Young people groomed their sheep and cattle, carnival workers set up thrill rides, and refreshment stand operators spruced up their booths.

“I’ve been in this business for 20 years, and this is always the most fun week,” said Bruce Latta, the fair’s general manager. “It’s like a jigsaw puzzle. You see all of your efforts over the year coming together.”

But as organizers put the finishing touches on this year’s event, Latta confirmed that state officials in Sacramento were reviewing conflict-of-interest allegations involving two Antelope Valley fair board directors, throwing a cloud of uncertainty over this year’s event.

One of the directors, Betty L. Smith, has triggered concern by questioning fair administrators about a trash collection contract sought by her employer, A. V. Rubbish. Earlier this week, Smith voted to award the contract to another company that submitted a lower bid, but some fair officials believe she should have abstained.

Smith said Wednesday that she has consulted a private attorney and does not believe she has acted improperly. “I think it’s been blown out of proportion,” she said.

State officials also are reviewing the actions of fair board member Steve Landaker, whose billboard company does business with the fair. Landaker, too, has denied any improprieties.

Latta said the board members’ conduct is being reviewed by a deputy attorney general assigned to state fairs. Fair board members are appointed by the governor.

During a festival preview Wednesday, fair board members did not mention the investigation but instead invited reporters to observe the final preparations for this year’s event.

One of the more unusual sights was provided by the Army National Guard unit based in Palmdale, which moved its battle tank out of the armory and onto the fairgrounds about 18 miles away. To get there, the tank made a rare low-speed excursion across public streets.

Sheriff’s deputies escorted the vehicles, which sometimes took up more than one traffic lane.

“A lot of people waved and applauded,” said Capt. Jim Estes, commander of the unit. “I think they like to see their tax dollars in action.”

Visitors will be allowed to climb on top of and inside the tank during the fair.

While Estes was moving his tank carefully onto the fairgrounds, Cameron Wyman, 15, of Lancaster was carefully trimming his yearling ram’s hoofs in the livestock area. Cameron, who raises sheep and pigs, has entered some of his animals in the fair’s livestock judging and auction.

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The teen-ager said his pigs require less grooming than the sheep. The pigs, he said, “are easier to get ready. But they get into more trouble at home. They get out of their pens.”

Fair officials hope the livestock judging, musical acts and unusual new events such as lawn mower races will attract a broad range of visitors. The paid attendance at last year’s fair was down about 7% from the previous year, which was attributed partly to the state’s sluggish economy.

Beyond the economy, a heat wave could also drive down the number of fair visitors, and organizers were hoping for cool weather over the next two weeks.

“The No. 1 factor in determining attendance,” Latta said, “is the weather.”