Arizona State Fair opens today

Expect an abundance of WOW! at this year's 2008 Arizona State Fair. Fair traditions will return, with an estimated 12,000 exhibits and 2,500 animals on display during the Fair, which runs Oct. 10 to Nov. 2.

The event also features daring feats by the Human Speed Bump (Tom Owen) and Professor Splash in their individual quests to set new Guinness World Records. Owen, also known as the man with the "World's Strongest Abs" takes a ribbin' and keeps on tickin' on Oct. 17 with up to eight trucks weighing more than 30,000 total pounds rolling over stomach. A week later, on Oct. 24, Professor Splash will dive over 35 feet down into 12 inches of water.

In addition, fairgoers will be treated to a variety of shows, including a little bit country, comedy and rock ‘n roll in the Concert Series, with stars such as Sheryl Crow (Oct. 21), Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton (Oct. 17), Goo Goo Dolls (Oct. 16), Larry the Cable Guy (Oct. 11), and Old School Jam slated to perform. Old School Jam features Naughty By Nature (Hip Hop Hooray, O.P.P); Ton Loc (Wild Thing, Funky Cold Medina); Coolio (Fantastic Voyage, Gangsters Paradise); Young MC (Bust A Move); Klymaxx (Meet In the Ladies Room, I Miss You); Club Nouveau (Lean On Me); Timex Social Club (Rumors). There's also loads of racing and rodeo in the Grandstand Arena, including Figure 8 Races (Oct. 11 and 12 and 17 to 19), Demolition Derby (Oct. 24 to 26), All Indian Rodeo (Oct. 30 to Nov. 1) and High School Rodeo (Nov. 2.)

Other entertainers include the amazing dog-riding monkeys of the Banana Derby, Welde's Big Bear Show and Grizzly Falls and the Mad Science presents CSI:LIVE stage show. Limited engagements feature visits by Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer (Oct. 11 and 12), Thomas the Tank Engine (Oct. 21 to Nov. 2) and Caillou (Oct. 17 to 26) and the annual, always popular United States Armwrestling Championships (Oct. 25). Other special days at the fair include the Governor's Office of Highway Safety "Public Safety Days" on Oct. 11 for Law Enforcement and Oct. 12 for Fire and Rescue, Armed Forces Day for military and their families on Oct. 17 and Senior Day on Oct. 29.

With such a great variety of attractions and other family friendly activities such as Rock Band - the revolutionary music video game from MTV Games and Harmonix, the Arizona Lottery Backyard, Unkle Kunkle's Farm, Macy's Petting Zoo, and Kid Zone, the Fair is sure to delight and amaze fairgoers.

New food items for this year include new deep fried sandwiches (pick from chicken with veggies or Philly cheesesteak) wrapped in pizza dough, croc bites, alligator tails, deep fried hamburgers, crab Rangoon, pot stickers and the Zoe Dog. Standards include funnel cakes, corn dogs, fry bread, barbecue, cotton candy, hot dogs and pizza. In addition to food fare, spirited culinary and pie eating competitions also return.

Also returning by popular demand, the Read & Ride Program, sponsored this year by ABC15 and 99.9 KEZ, will continue to promote literacy by encouraging children ages 5 to 14 to read by rewarding them with Fair ride passes. Riding a wave of success over the past six years, the program motivated approximately 5,876 children to read 17,628 books in order to earn as many ride passes during the 2007 Fair. As a result, over 168,000 ride passes donated by Ray Cammack Shows were distributed at the annual Fair to Arizona children since the program's debut in 2000.

Normal gate prices are $12 for aduts, $6 for children ages 5 to 13, $6 for seniors 55 and up and free for children under five. Numerous discounts are once again available and often as easy as buying ahead, showing up early or visiting the Fair on a particular day.

Special discounts include Super Saturdays where fairgoers who enter between 10 a.m. to 11:36 a.m. on Saturdays receive one admission of equal or lesser value free with the purchase of a regular admission ticket. In addition, adult admission is just $5 before 5 p.m. on Fridays (Oct. 17, 24 and 31), and Wednesdays are Student Discount Day where students show their student ID and get half price admission on Wednesdays (Oct. 15, 22 and 29). Ride discounts are plentiful with $1 Ride Wednesdays (Oct. 15, 22, and 29) and Unlimited Ride Wristbands available Tuesdays and Thursdays and the last Sunday of the Fair's run (Oct. 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 and Nov. 2).

A tradition in the state for 124 years, the Arizona State Fair consistently supplies a healthy dose of family entertainment, homespun creations and attractions for all ages and interests. It continues to attract record numbers each year to its location at 1826 West McDowell Road, including last year's record attendance of 1,214,442.

The fair runs Oct. 10 to Nov. 2 (closed Mondays). Gates open at noon weekdays and at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information, visit www.azstatefair.com.