The York Dispatch has launched a contest that will make eating at the fair more fun - and possibly lucrative.

On Tuesday, the newspaper began asking readers and fair-goers to visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/YorkDispatch to vote for their favorite York Fair food vendor.

"The York Fair is such an institution, and there's nothing better at the fair than the food," said Lori Goodlin, editor of the York Dispatch.

Voters may participate until the contest ends on Sept. 19. Each selection will place the voter's name in a drawing that will award a $50 Visa gift card.

Once the contest closes, the winning vendor will receive a plaque, and a voter will be randomly selected to win the gift card.

Contest participants will choose among 10 options: York Little Theatre cheesesteaks, Stoltzfus ham and cheese sandwiches, York Jaycees baked potatoes, Brickers French Fries, York City Firefighters steak sandwich/sausage sandwich, Porky's pulled pork sandwiches, Mr. Bill's Quarterdeck, Mr. Ed's, Johnny Eagle hamburgers and Tubby Tommy's baked potatoes.

Those vendors landed on the list because they're popular, based locally and have participated at the fair for a long time, Goodlin said.

The 10 vendors were chosen among a possible 120 food sellers who set up at the York Fair each year, according to Gene Schenck, fair president.

The York Fair will be held Friday through Sept. 16, and potential voters may see signs at the participating vendors.

Fair gates open at 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and they open at noon Monday through Thursday.

Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 18, and children 5 years old and younger will be admitted for free.

Parking is $6.

- Candy Woodall can also be reached at cwoodall@yorkdispatch.com.