Central Washington State Fair -- Something for everybody

Philadelphia soul singers Boyz II Men and "Achy-Breaky Heart" country crooner Billy Ray Cyrus may seem an odd pairing.

But this is the Central Washington State Fair, an event that features both cooking shows and live tigers. Having something for everyone is clearly a priority.

"We try to find acts that appeal to different types of groups," said Diane LaBissoniere, the fair's marketing director.

The musical acts highlighting the main stage at this year's fair, which begins Sept. 25, are just another example of that. The lineup starts off, as one might expect in a country-loving town like Yakima, with a pair of country singers, Jamie Lee Thurston on Sept. 25 and Phil Vassar on Sept. 26.

Juice Newton, the enduring pop-country singer, follows them on Sept. 27. The next concert, Sept. 29, is Cyrus. After that, the concerts take a sharp turn, with Boyz II Men on Sept. 30, followed by classic rockers REO Speedwagon on Oct. 1. Then, on successive nights, it will be bluesman Curtis Delgado with Too Slim & the Taildraggers, Aussie rockers the Little River Band, and Mexican singers Sergio Goyri and Laura Flores.

Though reserved seating is available for most of the shows at an extra cost, they're all free with admission.

"We spent a little more money and now have something on the Budweiser Stage almost every day," said Greg Stewart, president and general manager of the fair. "It is a lineup that we think offers something for everyone."

The midweek slots for Boyz II Men and REO Speedwagon were designed to bolster attendance during what is typically the slowest part of the fair, he said.

"We really want to give folks a chance to see some quality entertainment throughout the run of the fair, and so we have added more entertainment midweek," Stewart said.

That seems to be working, said LaBissoniere, who noted that REO Speedwagon was leading all acts in terms of reserved-seat ticket sales.

In terms of overall ticket sales, it's hard to say how the fair will do this year. Fair officials are optimistic despite a national economy only beginning to rebound and people everywhere watching their wallets. Last year, the fair counted 304,962 attendees at the nine-day event.

"We are hearing from the fair industry that fairs are having really good runs as long as the weather is good," LaBissoniere said. "People look at it as a 'staycation.' A lot of people didn't take vacations this year. ... so this is their really big deal."

In addition to the music, the three main entertainment exhibits at the fair this year are Candy Nation, the Jungle Experience and Hunters of the Sky. The latter two, both animal acts, will feature performances twice daily as well as standing displays.

Candy Nation will be a colorful display of sweets, a retail candy shop and an educational presentation on the history of American candy.

"It's going to be as much fun for the parents as the kids," LaBissoniere said.

In addition to all of that there will be a hypnotist, kids' pedal tractor pulls, cooking demonstrations, 4-H animal contests, elephant ears -- in other words, something for everybody.

* Pat Muir can be reached at 509-577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.

FAIR CONCERT SCHEDULE

All shows are free with admission; reserved seats are available at extra cost for most.

* Friday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Jamie Lee Thurston, country singer-songwriter

* Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.

Phil Vassar, country singer-songwriter (reserved seats $21)

* Sunday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m.

Juice Newton, pop and country singer (reserved seats $16)

* Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.

Billy Ray Cyrus, country singer (reserved seats $31)

* Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m.

Boyz II Men, R & B and soul group (reserved seats $31)

* Thursday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.

REO Speedwagon, classic rock (reserved seats $26)

* Friday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Curtis Delgado with Too Slim & the Taildraggers, blues (reserved seats $16)

* Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Little River Band, rock (reserved seats $21)

* Sunday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m.

Laura Flores and Sergio Goyri, Latin music (reserved seats $10)

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Central Washington State Fair.

WHERE: State Fair Park.

DAYS: Friday, Sept. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 4.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4.

HOW MUCH: $12 for adults, $9 for ages 65 and older, $7 for ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger. Carnival wristbands cost $25 or $30, depending on the day.

PRESALE DISCOUNTS: Presale wristbands ($22) and fair admission ($11 ages 13-64, $8 ages 65 and older, $6 ages 6-12) are available to purchase until Thursday. For locations, visit www.fairfun.com/fair/general_info/ticket_sales.asp

PROMOTIONAL DAYS:

* Friday, Sept. 25: KIMA-TV Dollar Day. $1 gate admission 11 a.m.-3 p.m., $6 parking all day.

* Sunday, Sept. 27: Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic Heritage Day presented by McDonald's. Free mini first-aid kits to the first 1,000 visitors to the display.

* Monday, Sept. 28: Franz Bread Day. $25 and an empty Franz bread loaf bag with blue sticker good for gate admission and unlimited carnival rides. (One sticker per person.)

* Tuesday, Sept. 29: KIMA-TV Military Appreciation Day. $6 admission for active military, veterans, inactive military with ID.

* Wednesday, Sept. 30: Pepsi Kids Day. Ages 12 and younger get in free with an empty 12-ounce Pepsi can or other Pepsi product. Must be accompanied by an adult.

* Friday, Oct. 2: Washington Lottery Day. Buy a $5 scratch ticket any day at the fair and get a chance to win $100 in groceries. Five winners per day.

* Saturday, Oct. 3: Wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

* Sunday, Oct. 4: Sonic Family Day. $25 buys gate admission for two adults and three kids ages 6-12 (ages 5 and younger are free). No coupon required.

YAKIMA TRANSIT: Free shuttle service offered all 10 days. Buses leave the Gateway Center parking lot, 10 N. Fair Ave., starting 30 minutes before fair opening, ending 30 minutes after closing; service is continuous throughout the day. (Service begins at 9 a.m. opening day only.) Pick-up locations are north of Office Max and across from Visitors Center. Also, Bus No. 6 goes to State Fair Park; details at www.fairfun.com/fair/general_info/transit_schedule.asp.

MORE INFO: www.fairfun.com