Fair to 'cultivate new traditions'

"Cultivating New Traditions" is the theme of the 149th Utah State Fair, that opens Thursday, Sept. 9, 3 p.m. and will continue for a traditional 11-day run.

"Little Hands on the Farm" looks to be the best new feature this year, a huge expansion on the "Ag-Venture" tent of recent years. This is a hands-on activity for kids that will help them understand how farming and agriculture operate and have loads of fun in the process.

Geared for kids 2-10, this event will involve eight different areas of interactive activities in the West Center Mall of the Fairpark. Kids can gather eggs, pick apples, milk a cow and many other simulated agricultural and farm activities.

"It's been a phenomenal hit at other state fairs," Denise Stanger, State Fairpark public relations director, said. She said the "Little Hands" event has been at four other fairs and is a national event for kids.

There are three animal shows at this year's fair — Steeples Wild West Bear Show, a Big Cat Safari Show and the Reptile Adventures Show. These will run several times a day and are free with a regular gate admission to the fair.

In fact, all entertainment is free at the fair, with the exception of some of the grandstand entertainment, which requires a separate ticket. Prices for these special grandstand tickets include regular fair gate admission, too.

The Utah State Fair Scholarship Pageant (Sept. 9), the Crestmark Orchestra (Sept. 14), Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Bellamy Brothers (Sept. 15) and The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie and Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone (Sept. 16) are all free grandstand shows with gate admission (although the Sept. 15-16 shows do require concertgoers to pick up a free ticket prior to the performances).

All the usual fair events are also there — the Davis Amusements Cascadia Carnival, a multitude of commercial displays, the farm animals, fine arts, photography and creative arts exhibits and lots of singers and dancers. There's also the "Giant Yellow Slide," a kids' favorite, cooking demonstrations and an Olympic Oval Bungee.

There are various competitions for the public — cracker stacking contest (Sept. 9), pie eating contest (Sept. 11), crazy hair contest (Sept. 12), pizza eating contest (Sept. 13) and celebrity look-alike contest (Sept. 15).

Another popular fair feature is the Ice Cream Festival, on Sept. 13 this year. All-you-can-eat ice cream from a host of different vendors is $2 for adults and $1 for children. The "Beef Fest," also a special annual event, is Sept. 17.