Fun, food and frights galore fill 10-day State Fair

It's time for 10 days of soaring, spinning, singing, riding and petting, all dipped in batter, deep-fried and served on a stick. The Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show kicks off Friday with its lineup of entertainment and the usual plethora of foods and rides, the combination of which could test the steeliest stomachs.

"The State Fair can be about something totally different from one person to the next, but there's always something fun for everyone," says Will Hornburg, director of sales and promotions for the State Fairgrounds.

Deggler Attractions is once again bringing the rides, 55 in all, including returning favorites like the Ferris wheel and the Flatline 360.

This year, they're adding some new thrillers with Centrifuge, Cliffhanger, Hi Roller and the Magic Maze. For those who don't quite meet the height requirements, there are gentler options such as the Frog Hopper and Farm Tractors.

But the big news is usually the food and whatever fresh gastronomical adventure vendors are serving up to the masses.

There are more than 25 new offerings this year. Visitors can chomp down on Armadillo Eggs (bacon-wrapped chicken), Arkansas' Biggest Fried Pickle On-a-Stick, a 2-foot Petit Jean hot dog, and the Bird Dog (chicken tenders on a hot dog bun with cheese, bacon and jalapenos). A partnership with Petit Jean Meats brings the Petit Jean Smokehouse with ham, bologna and sausages.

Apple Pie Fries and Watermelon & Honey Dew Smoothies should satisfy sweet teeth and, because everything tastes like pumpkin these days, there's a pumpkin-spice funnel cake.

Foods from previous years, like the Chocolate-Covered Cheesecake On-a-Stick, Turkey Leg, various fried candy bars and Fried Gator are back.

And there will be music. Headliners during the opening weekend and week are Montgomery Gentry at 8 p.m. Friday, Eddie Money at 8 p.m. Saturday, Silk at 7 p.m. Sunday and Styx at 8 p.m. Tuesday. General admission to the music performances is free but upgraded seating costs extra.

Throughout the run of the fair, the Blue Moon Pavilion will host a variety of entertainment options with local singers and bands, trivia contests and an Ugliest Dog in Arkansas competition. In the Highland Hill attractions area, visitors can watch shows like the Wall of Death Cycle Show. Nearby, Learning on the Lawn will feature interactive educational programs.

It's a big complex with a lot of food, rides, shows and attractions to draw attention. Those who want to work out a plan of attack first can find a thorough guide on the website (arkansasstatefair.com). And don't forget the parade, 1 p.m. Sunday from Second Street and Broadway in downtown Little Rock to the state Capitol.

There are promotions throughout the fair with dollar days, donation opportunities and armband specials. They will once again present Lunch at the Fair with free parking and admission, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays.

Actually getting to the fair may be a bit different this year, thanks to bridge construction on Roosevelt Road. To help ease congestion, there will be a weekend parking shuttle service from designated state government parking lots west of the Capitol. The shuttle will run 6-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 1-11 p.m. Sunday. During the week, visitors are encouraged to use the Schiller Street entrance.

With all the rides, shows and potable edibles, organizers don't want people to forget the livestock and craft shows. The fair is actually a fundraiser for the Arkansas Livestock Show Association's scholarships and premiums. Visiting the barns full of pigs, rabbits, cattle and other livestock and the arts and crafts building can give just a taste of the hard work put in by farmers and crafters of all ages throughout the year. Most of the livestock barns open at 8 a.m. There's also the State Fair History Museum.

Hornburg adds, "To me, it's more than just rides and corn dogs. It's about the history of agriculture in our state and building for the future by educating the next generation of farmers."

Weekend on 10/08/2015