Complete Entertainment Schedule Available Here

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Maricopa County Fair Opens April 15
Most attractions and entertainment included
with the price of admission.

Thousand Foot Krutch (TFK) - Not your average Christian music, this break-out Canadian band rocks out with a hip hop and alternative rock sound, all while exploring a spiritual perspective. Standing room only on Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m.
website: www.thousandfootkrutch.com

Rage in the Cage - Watch extreme cage fighting up close and personal in the Grandstand Arena on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Special Ticketed Event, fair admission included when purchased in advance online!
website: www.rageinthecage.com

Moto X Racing & Freestyle Show - The dirt is flying when the moto x bikes take to the track on Saturday and Sunday for all day excitement. Freestyle Moto X revs up on Saturday night at 7pm. Both races and the freestyle show are included with your fair admission

Phoenix's Most EXTREME County Fair Carnival -Butler Amusement, "the Cleanest Show in the West" Comes back to Phoenix with over 30 rides, including a roller coaster,  sure to thrill everyone. Don't miss out on unlimited FUN with an all day ride pass available at the carnival ticket booths every day. Only $30 (does not include fair admission)
 

Fair DEALS:

Carnival Unlimited Ride Passes: Ride as many rides as you can for one low price of just $25 before fair begins through April 14, 2009 available online and at Food City. Also available for $30 per ticket at the carnival ticket booths once the fair begins. Does not include Fair admission.

Free 'Til 3: Helping fight the economic battle on the front lines radio station KDKB 93.3 and the fair have teamed up to provide free admission to everyone Wednesday through Friday from opening (10 am) until 3pm. (Parking not included)

Canned Food Drive: Girl Scouts will be collecting food for the St. Mary's Food Bank on Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16. Help someone and save a little yourself. Fairgoers can receive half off an adult admission ticket or a FREE child admission ticket when they bring 3 cans of food. (Parking not included.)

Free Seniors Day: Seniors visit the fair for free Wednesday April 15. From open to close, everyone 55 and over receives free admission and entertainment, and all the free carousel rides they can handle until 3:00 p.m. (Parking not included.)

Great Family Attractions
 (daily shows and appearances)

Live Shark Experience - Exhibit features a 5000-gallon aquarium filled with sharks, as well as an educational and interactive exhibit, The Great White Encounter. Children, as well as adults, can experience what it would feel like to be in a cage surrounded by sharks, and even step inside the giant jaw of the ancient Great White. Watch while a nurse shark named Loretta dances and interacts with a diver.

Comedy Hypnotist Susan Rosen - "America's most requested hypnotist since 1981“ with a Ph.D in fun!  Susan has become a world renowned stage hypnotist with an extensive list of credits.  She has appeared in Canada, Mexico and throughout the United States for 26 years.
 website: www.slpnow.net

World Record Holder Chaz Marquette - He unicycles, he juggles, he performs incredible stunts and feats of balance that will blow your mind. And he gives his all...without the benefit of a safety belt. This comedian and daredevil holds world records in the Smallest Unicycle Ride and Skipping Rope on a 9 ft. tall unicycle.
 website: www.22footunicycledude.com

NBA Half-Time Star Skip Banks, The Balloon Man - Not your typical airhead, Banks literally climbs into a large latex balloon to amaze and delight fairgoers. A national sensation, he adds comedy and music (M.C. Hammer's "U Can't Touch This") while performing this unique feat and without popping the balloon too soon.
 website: www.skipbanks.com

Nancy Kobert's Amazing World of Birds - The humorous show features trained birds, like a toucan, a crown crane, ibis, lilac breasted roller and kookaburra, performing amazing and entertaining feats three times daily.
 website: www.birdshow.com

Mitchell Marionettes - Mitchell Marionettes: A family troupe of professional puppeteers and ventriloquists present a delightful show sure to please all ages. From the decks of the Mississippi Riverboat puppet stage, audiences will enjoy stringed marionettes, hand puppets, ventriloquism and more. Celebrating their 40^th anniversary tour, you can catch the magic several times per day.
 website: www.mitchellmarionettes.com

Magician Terry Godfrey - Voted "Funniest Magician" by the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Godfrey is sure to keep you laughing. Performing over 300 shows per year Godfrey will return to his hometown for the Maricopa County Fair. Don't miss his comedy, magic, fire eating and escape from a strait jacket.

Arizona Agriculture and Ewe Game Show - Features Ag-Magic, a scavenger hunt, walk-through exhibit and a game show for all ages. The Game show is located in the exhibit building and runs 3-4 times daily. Brought to you, in part, by SRP.
website: www.agmagicshow.com

Great Family Attractions

HO Scale Model Railroad Guinness World Record^TM Attempt - All aboard! The Grand Canyon State Model Railroaders will attempt to break the existing record of 361'10" in HO scale which translates to just under 6 scale miles. Fairgoers can watch on Saturday, April 18 at 9 a.m.

Farmer for a Day sponsored by Farm Bureau - Children learn about life on a farm through this interactive display. They see live farm animals, tractors and other farm equipment. As "Farmer for a Day", kids can see what it is like to pick corn, milk a cow and gather eggs.

Project Linus - Sat., April 18, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Volunteers are invited to lovingly assemble blankets and quilts for donation to local charities. Free admission pass for each pre-registered volunteer. Onsite fairgoers can also help.

Pie Baking Contest - Sat., April 18 at 4 p.m., Awards for the best "family's favorite pie" entered.

Community Entertainment - exciting performances by local stars, including Amiras Belly Dance Show, Ballet Folklorico Nueve Vida, Maricopa 4H Cloggers, Desert Flowers Dance and much more!

Kids and Animals:
You can find an abundance, all ages, sizes and species:

Youth Animal Exhibits: pygmy goats, pigs, sheep, meat and dairy goats, steers, beef and dairy cattle, pigeons, poultry, and rabbits, judging

Youth Pets & Canine - Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...just about anything raised as a pet by exhibitors 5-18 years (Pets), & 9 to 19 years (Canine), respectively. No alligators, piranhas or walking catfish allowed!

Livestock Auctions

• Over 450 Award Winning Junior Livestock (Beef, Swine, Sheep, Meat Goats, Futurity Heifer,) begins Saturday, April 18 at 9 a.m. in the Agriculture Center. 2008 auction generated over $800,000.
   

• 125 Award Winning Small Stock (goats, cavies, poultry, rabbits, pigeons) Auction starts Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in the Small Stock Building

Specialty Fair Exhibits on display:

Culinary Arts - candies, cookies, cakes, breads & pies, plus some unique categories, including Southwest specialties (BBQ sauce, prickly pear jelly, salsa, etc.), microwave innovations, spiced fruits and food preservation, pasta specialties

Creative Home Arts - sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, holiday items, quilts, toys, rugs

Floriculture/Horticulture - Green thumbs present their best vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, etc

Crafts & Hobbies - Beadwork, ceramics, woodcraft, doll houses, scrapbooking, models, etc.

- Also, a special division for "Kids Helping Kids"-all items (bears, baby baskets, clothing, etc.) entered will be donated to the children of Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Photography - all styles, abilities are presented.

Fine Arts - painting, drawings, jewelry, pottery, and 3-dimensional work

4-H Youth - animals, sewing, culinary, educational exhibits, leathercraft, etc.

Youth & School Arts - Open to preschool through 12th grade

Youth Science Fair - showcases projects in the areas of science, engineering, and environmental issues

Breaking up Walls Exhibit - A unity arts project where kids 2 to 18 years of age contribute and show off their artistic endeavors.

Fair Fashion Show and Style Review - Sat., April 18 at 3 p.m., Showcase of Home Arts Clothing entries.

 

Student Appreciation Day and Read to Ride Program: Kindergarten through 6th grade children are eligible to participate on Student Appreciation Day Thursday, April 16. After reading (or for the little ones, being read to) 4 books, and completing and submitting the Read to Ride form, children can receive a free student admission and 4 free carnival rides on Thursday only. They will also be entered into a drawing for prizes. (Parking not included.)

Fair Food: Bob's Pickle Pops, a frozen treat made from pickle juice, and Deep Fried Mac 'n Cheese and Mongolian BBQ come to the Fair! You'll also find all your favorites, including Turkey Legs, Corn Dogs,  Barbeque, Fry Bread, Funnel Cakes, Pizza, Cotton Candy, Ice Cream...and just about anything you can imagine deep-fried or on-a-stick.