The Arkansas State Fair turns 74 this year, but don’t think the state’s largest en- tertainment event is standing pat and rehashing the same old good times. This GENERAL INFO year’s fair — Friday through Oct. 20 — adds new rides, new food, new games, PUTTING FOOD ON A STICK? FAIR FUN BEGINS new music and more to the fair’s 10-day run of fun in Little Rock. BY SHEA STEWART The Arkansas State Fair opens at 11 a.m. daily Friday through Oct. 20. Gate admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12 and seniors 60 and over, and free for children 5 and under. Fair parking is $5. Walgreens is the fair’s advance ticket outlet through Friday, offering MUSIC AT THE FAIR TUESDAY OCT. 18 gate admission tickets for $5.99 for adults, and $2.99 for children 6-12 BRILLIANT! and seniors 60 and over. (Discounted advance tickets are not available RIVERBILLY, , on Dollar Day, which is Monday.) 7 P.M. 8 P.M. NEW FOOD CREATIONS AT THE FAIR Get ready for an ear- This member RIDE ly-week evening of brings his solo R&B hits to FRIED GARLIC-MASHED-POTATO good-timing, tuneful Little Rock, with songs such BALLS ON A STICK ALL DAY, country rock when this as “Rub You the Right Way,” FRIED BACON-CHEDDAR-MASHED- Little Rock quartet visits. “My, My, My,” “Wrap My DO THIS, THIS DAY POTATO BALLS ON A STICK ALL NIGHT Body Tight” and “The Floor.” FRIDAY: FOX 16 Ride-O-Rama. From TUESDAY: Military Appreciation Day. FRIED MACARONI-AND-CHEESE WEDGES ON A STICK 11 a.m. to close, buy an unlimited-rides Free gate admission from 11 a.m. to NEW RIDES AT OCT. 16 armband for $25. close for military personnel and im- FRIED AVOCADO ON A STICK THE ARKANSAS mediate family members with a valid NIGHT RANGER, SATURDAY: Alice 107.7 Ride Day. From military ID. FRIED BACON ON A STICK STATE FAIR 8 P.M. 11 a.m. to close, buy an unlimited-rides FRIED CATFISH ON A STICK Seriously? Need an armband for $25. WEDNESDAY: Wendy’s and B98.5 Ride Vertigo introduction to this San Day. From 11 a.m. to close, buy an un- FRIED FROG LEG ON A STICK Francisco rock band? SUNDAY: Power 92 Jams and Praise limited-rides armband for $25. Hog Wild Just know they brought 102.5 Ride Day. From 11 a.m. to close, FRIED JUMBO-PORK STEAK ON A STICK buy an unlimited-rides armband for WEDNESDAY: 100.3 The Edge College the world “Sister Chris- Spider OCT. 19 $25. Night. Free gate admission from 6 p.m. FRIED KLONDIKE BAR ON A STICK tian.” Oh, and “Don’t Tell Hofbrau House to close with valid college ID. FRIED JELL-O ON A STICK Me You Love Me.” And EVERCLEAR, MONDAY AND OCT. 18: Coca-Cola Kid- FRIDAY more. Banana 8 P.M. die Days. Children 6 and under can ride THURSDAY: Thrill Thursday. From 11 CHOCOLATE-COVERED Squadron THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, 8 P.M. Lead singer and guitarist the Kiddie Rides free from 9-11 a.m. Free a.m. to close, buy an unlimited-rides STRAWBERRIES ON A STICK gate admission from 9-11 a.m. for adults armband for $25. Rockin’ Tug Why not kick off the first night of the fair with the and spirited Art Alexakis is the only CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHEESECAKE of this band known for such hits as “The Devil Went Down to original member left from bringing children. Parking included. ON A STICK FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Arkansas Nemo Georgia” and “Long Haired Country Boy”? this alternative rock act, MONDAY: The Point 94.1 Dollar Day. Democrat-Gazette, KSSN 96, 105.1 The CHOCOLATE-DIPPED TWINKIE ON A STICK but the new Everclear still Tea Cups Gate admission, parking and rides are Wolf and Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts performs their hits, includ- only $1 each all day. “Ridin’ in the Rock” Professional Bull RICE KRISPIES TREAT ON A STICK Zero Gravity ing “Santa Monica” and SATURDAY SUNDAY Riders Tour coupon. Get $3 off a $15 FRIED RICE KRISPIES TREAT ON A STICK “Wonderful.” TUESDAY: Super Tuesday sponsored reserved adult ticket. One coupon per Groovy Bus 38 SPECIAL, 8 P.M. JOSH THOMPSON, 8 P.M. by 100.3 The Edge, KSSN 96, 105.1 The ticket. MARSHMALLOWS ON A STICK Dizzy Dragon — the younger This Wisconsin-raised country artist Wolf and 94.9 TOM-FM. From 11 a.m. to brother of the late Ronnie of Lynyrd released his debut back in OCT. 20 close, buy an unlimited-rides armband FRIDAY: 103.7 The Buzz Ride Day. From Avalanche Skynyrd fame, and the older brother 2010, and the record spawned three TEXACO COUNTRY for $25. 11 a.m. to close, buy an unlimited-rides armband for $25. of Johnny, who is Skynyrd’s current Top 40 country hits, including the SHOWDOWN, lead singer — is not touring with this album’s title track, “Way Out Here.” TUESDAY: KARK Feeding the Need. Southern rock band he co-founded His current single is “Cold Beer with NOON TO 5 P.M. Donate four canned food items and FRIDAY: School Day. A $3 fair admission receive an adult gate admission from sold at gates from 1 p.m. to close for all in the mid-1970s because of “health Your Name on It.” SONNY BURGESS 1-6 p.m. Donate two canned food items school children through 12th grade. issues related to inner-ear nerve AND THE LEGEND- and receive one child’s gate admission. SELECT OTHER NEW FOODS NOT OF THE STICK VARIETY damage.” But original 38 Special CHICKEN AND WAFFLES • GRAVY FRIES • COUGAR JUICE • BOUDIN SAUSAGE OCT. 17 ARY PACERS, 7 P.M. SATURDAY: Power 92 Jams Power member and co-founder TUESDAY: KSSN 96 and 94.9 TOM-FM Pack. Ninety-two minutes of free gate FRIED PIZZA POPPERS • INDIAN TACO • SAUSAGE CREAM CHEESE NACHO BALLS The first part of this day VELVET CAKE CREAM CHEESE CAKE BALLS • FRIED BANANA SPLIT is singing in Donnie Van Zant’s place, MONDAY GINUWINE, Ladies Night Out. Free gate admission admission for children 12 and under is a showcase of some of KRISPY KREME CHEESEBURGER • FRIED POP-TARTS and the band still rocks with hits such THE SOUND OF THE MOUN- 8 P.M. for women 18 and older from 6-10 p.m. from 11 a.m. to 12:32 p.m. as “” and “Caught the best Arkansas-bred LUNCH AT THE FAIR: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the fair offers free His saddle’s waiting, so parking and free gate admission for guests. Up in You.” Shipp, the Arkansas rock TAIN, 7 P.M. come and jump on it country talent while the This quartet from Russellville brings ’n’ roll band led by Michael Shipp, as this singer delivers later part includes a per- their post-rock, instrumental “space plays at 4 and 7 p.m. “Pony” and other R&B formance by the Arkansas jazz” to the fair. The Professional Bull Riders Tour visits the Arkansas State Fair and Barton Coliseum on Oct. 18 and 19. The tour features some hits. rockabilly group led by the seemingly ageless Burgess. of the best bull riders in the country competing for a spot in the PBR World Finals. Performances start at 7:30 each night with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $10, $15 and $20; VIP seats are $25. Tickets purchased in advance include GET ON THAT BULL fair gate admission. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com or at the fair ticket office. Arkansas State Fair Concert Series performances on the Wendy’s Main Stage are free with gate admission, but special VIP seating is available for $12 at asfg.net.

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