The smells of popcorn butter mixed with sweet cotton candy return to Bangor during one week every summer. They meld with the sounds of children laughing and thrill seekers screaming. Not far off, pigs are snoring in the fresh hay and Clydesdales stand at attention, waiting to engage the audience with their strength.

The fair tradition is returning July 27-Aug. 5, at the 152nd Bangor State Fair at Bass Park.

“We feel there are a lot of things that will work in our favor,” said Mike Dyer, Bass Park director. “The entertainment and educational lineups we have this year are second to none and we think both are going to be very appealing to families.”

Two featured attractions are predicted to draw large crowds.

Jurassic Journey brings patrons face to face with 20 dinosaurs and Ice Age animal replicas. This comes to Bangor in the wake of the film “Jurassic Park III,” which opened Wednesday. The exhibit is coupled with educational information and opportunities to participate. Visitors are allowed to touch and examine the skull display. The attraction, located behind the grandstand, is included with the price of fair admission and will be available daily.

Fairgoers will endure rain, a tornado and a snowstorm if organizers have their way. But patrons need not worry, as the weather spectacle is part of the second main attraction, the Mad Science show.

Visitors can watch and participate as Professor Pruvitt “takes the world by storm,” inside the Bangor Civic Center. The Mad Scientist will need help as he attempts to save the world’s water supply from alien invaders and audience members will be asked to participate. This attraction is included with admission and runs five times daily.

If your pleasure is being tossed

and turned, get in line for the Grand Prix. For the first time in about three years, the fair will have a roller coaster. And as always, traditional rides like the Gravitron, Tilt-a-whirl, Cliffhanger, Zipper and a carousel will be available.

Engines will be revving at the grandstand at 8 p.m. July 27 for the Championship Figure “8” Race and again at 4 p.m. July 29, when the World’s Largest Demolition Derby hits the track.

Country music fans will be treated to a concert starring Andy Griggs, who burst onto the scene with his album “You Won’t Ever be Lonely” in 1999. He will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3. Concert tickets are on sale at $15 each. Tickets purchased prior to the concert include fair admission.

Other musical events include the Kirk Talley Concert at 8 p.m. July 30, and John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band at 8 p.m. Aug. 4. Both shows are free with paid admission to the fair.

And the Bangor Fair would not be complete without the taste, smells and sound of a farm. Livestock exhibitions will include 4-H shows, beef and goat judging and horse pulls. The farm animal exhibit will be at Old MacDonald’s Farm. Daily attractions include Granpa Cratchet, Eastern Maine Rabbit Breeders, North Woods Haywagon Rides, the Yankee Hitch Exhibition, the petting zoo and the photo contest.

Donnie Dorr, agriculture superintendent of the fair, said the agricultural aspect is the heart of the fair. He has worked in his current capacity for close to 18 years.

“Without agriculture at a fair you would have nothing but carnivals, and carnivals can be anywhere,” he said.

On-site parking costs $3 and the admission price for adults is $6. Senior citizen admission is $4 and children 12 and under pay $2. For more information, call 947-5555 or check the Web at www.bangorstatefair.com.