The Pima County Fairgrounds span 640 acres, and for the next two weeks most of it will be filled with livestock exhibits, freak shows, midway rides and the fans who love it.
The Pima County Fair starts today and runs through April 25, carrying on a tradition that next year will celebrate its 100th year.
By the time the fair closes on April 25, organizers expect more than 240,000 people will have passed through the gates to catch a half-dozen national acts in concert, ride the new Disco ride and feast on all things fried.
"The Pima County Fair is Tucson's longest (running), largest and most affordable event," marketing director Launa Rabago said. "We've decided to hold prices for another year, in recognition of the recovering economy, but have added more concerts and more attractions, all included with the fair admission."
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This year's fair promises to be the biggest yet. Some highlights:
• A bigger, better, bolder midway: The number of rides jumps to 60 from last year's 53, said Tony Fiori of Ray Cammack Shows, which provides the carnival rides and most of the food concessions. Among the new rides: the Disco, which hurls riders along a half pipe, spinning as it goes around with riders facing outward instead of inward.
• Bring on the animals: Birds, sea lions, monkeys, elephants and live sharks - a first for the fair - will strut their stuff in daily animal shows. "Live Shark Encounter" will take place in Pima Hall daily at 12:30, 3:30 and 6 p.m. The others will be in and near Central Park.
• Bring on the freaks: Leave the young ones at the kiddie rides when you catch the PG-rated freak show daily at 4:30, 7 and 10 p.m. at Club Corona. For the truly freakish: Stop by the 10 p.m. shows Fridays and Saturdays for the "Skin Suspension Act."
• Under their spell: Hypno Joe wields his magic in shows today through Saturday. Tyzen takes over with his "Hypnosis That Rocks" beginning Sunday. Shows are daily at 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. in Central Park.
• All about cars - and trucks: Model A's and Model T's, Figure 8 racing, are featured Saturday. Lowriders grab the headlines Sunday. A demolition derby and tractor pulls will fill the day April 24. A car show closes the fair April 25.
• Cheap eats: Tuesday is dollar-menu night. From 4 to 7 p.m., most of the food concessions will offer samples of their fare - fried Twinkie, anyone? - for $1.
Concerts
Shows start at 8 p.m., 7:30 on Sundays
• Jason Derulo, Friday.
• Ted Nugent, Saturday.
• The Commodores, Sunday.
• Atreyu, April 23.
• Jake Owen, April 24.
• Banda el Recodo, April 25.
The Commodores here Sunday
The Commodores, Motown's biggest-selling male act of the 1970s, hasn't had a hit song since "Night Shift" in 1983.
But the group is still touring, playing hits such as "Brick House," "Easy" and "Three Times a Lady," albeit with just two founding members.
Lionel Richie, who achieved big-star status, left the group in 1982, and within a few years most of the other founding members were gone too.
Today the group is down to a trio: founding members Walter Orange and William King, and lead singer J.D. Nicholas.
