Country music, exotic animals to highlight Bangor State Fair

BANGOR – The country music of Jack Ingram and Jason Michael Carroll will set the beat for the 158th Bangor State Fair.

Add to that the Amazing Rainforest Experience, the live stingray encounter, mental illusionist Lawrence Gregory, the Mobile Freestyle MX Motocross Show, the Demolition Derby, Circus Sam, Cirque Equinox and the cast of Beatlemania, and fair-goers will find plenty to keep them entertained during fair week, July 27-Aug. 5.

Ingram and Carroll will appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, at the Bangor Auditorium. Tickets are $27, which includes fair admission.

Ingram, a Texan, has toured with country duo Brooks and Dunn, and country rock artist Sheryl Crow. “Wherever You Are” was his first top 40 hit and later became No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Carroll, of the Nashville music scene, saw his debut album, “Waitin’ in the Country,” released in February, go to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Album charts.

The Amazing Rainforest Experience will feature animals such as Bengal tigers, cougars, a Capuchin monkey, an arctic fox, an iguana, exotic birds and other creatures. Three shows will be performed at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day. An exhibit associated with the rainforest will be open daily 1-9 p.m.

The live stingray encounter is an interactive exhibit open all day throughout fair week.

Mental illusionist Lawrence Gregory will perform shows daily at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 30-Aug. 5.

The thrills of the Mobile Freestyle MX Motocross Show will take place at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 30.

The bang and crunch of the Demolition Derby will hit the turf at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, and 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4.

Circus Sam, a comedic, one-man acrobatic show, will entertain with shows at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day during fair week.

Cirque Equinox will perform shows at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day of the fair. The troupe combines the traditions of European circus with the showmanship of modern-day theater and includes music, dance, acrobatics, comedy and aerial feats.

The cast of Beatlemania will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28. The show is free with paid fair admission.

But where’s the beef in all this activity at the fair? In the agricultural area, of course, where members of the 4-H will hold shows that feature dogs, beef critters, dairy cows, oxen and steers, ponies, donkeys and mules, goats, sheep and a lamb chili cook-off. Oh – and Randall’s racing pigs.

Gates open at noon each day of the fair and close at 10 p.m., except Sunday, Aug. 5, when the fair ends and gates close at 8 p.m.

Fair admission is $6, $4 senior citizens, $3 children 12 and under. Parking is $4. Wristband days are July 31, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, when an unlimited ride wristband may be purchased for $20 after paid fair admission.

Dollar Day is Sunday, Aug. 5, when admission is $1 and rides are $1.

Fair and concert tickets may be purchased at the auditorium box office, by calling the box office at 990-4444, by calling Ticketmaster at 775-3331, by visiting a Ticketmaster outlet or by going online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information and a schedule of daily events, visit www.bangorstatefair.com.