BANGOR – The bulk of bears and the slender grace of sharks will be two of the main attractions at the 157th annual Bangor State Fair, to be held Friday, July 28, through Sunday, Aug. 6.

Syrian brown bears Giza, Nanook, Tutter, Nemo and Zuzu are the big, furry stars of the Bear Mountain show, one of the new shows slated for the fair. The educational show will present the bears in a custom-designed environment that allows fair-goers to view the animals up close while learning about the bear’s habits and intelligence. Show times are 1:30, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. each day of the fair.

Sharks will bring a note of watery danger to the fair. The deep sea creatures are part of Philip Peters’ traveling show that aims to educate the audience about sharks as they circle in a tank holding 5,000 gallons of water. A diver will swim free with the sharks and after the show, the audience will be invited to “stare down a shark.” Show times are 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. each day of the fair except Sunday, Aug. 6, when show times will be 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Midway thrills are a traditional part of fair-going fun and this year the Spinning Coaster will offer a new experience. The ride combines the speed of a roller coaster with the round-and-round motion of a carousel. The coaster is 54 feet high, 1,345 feet long and reaches a speed of 31 mph. Its venue at the Bangor Fair will mark the Spinning Coaster’s first time in Maine.

Country singer and Massachusetts native Jo Dee Messina will bring melody and music to the fair’s stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Messina is an award winning platinum recording artist who has eight number one records to her credit, including “My Give A Damn’s Busted.” Special guest at the performance will be the Don Campbell Band.

Concert tickets are $32 and $27, which includes admission to the fair that day.

Those who enjoyed the freestyle Motocross Show at last year’s Bangor State Fair will be happy to hear that the show is back by popular demand this year and will reprise the antics of daredevils doing awe-inspiring stunts on motorcycles.

The 20th Maine Regiment Civil War encampment will lend a local note of history to the fair noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, and noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. The regiment will pitch its tents on the infield at the race track.

Activities at the encampment include mini-lectures on Civil War medicine, weaponry, music and other topics; a demonstration of military tactics and camp cooking of the period; a civilian women’s contingent which will give demonstrations in dress of the Civil War era and a talk on the language of the fan. A recruitment and drill for children also will be offered.

Blacksmith Keith Richards of Garland will make sparks fly each day of the fair as he works in the agricultural area of the fairgrounds. Richards, who volunteers at Leonards Mills Living History Museum in Bradley, will demonstrate black-smithing techniques as he makes utility hooks. He also will share his knowledge of black-smithing history. His wife, Teresa, will assist him.

Fair-goers also will be treated to Randall’s Racing Pigs; Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby; comic, escape artist, juggler and magician Marcus Raymond; the comedy of the Bravo Brothers; and the Mapapa African Acrobats of Mombasa, Kenya, a troupe that has been performing in the United States since 1999 when they appeared on the Dave Letterman Show.

Other Fair highlights include:

. Two for One Day, Friday, July 28. Buy one admission and get a second of equal or lesser value for free. Pay for one mechanical ride on the midway and a friend rides with you free.

. 4-H Day featuring the 4-H dog show and the Lamb Chili Cookoff, and other 4-H activities, Saturday, July 29.

. Young at Heart Day, Monday, July 31. Fairgoers age 60 and over are admitted for $1. Attend the 4-H dairy show, 4-H sheep show and 4-H baby beef judging contest that day.

. Wristband Days, Tuesday, Aug. 1; Wednesday, Aug. 2; and Thursday, Aug. 3. An unlimited ride wristband costs $15. Admission is extra.

. 4-H market lamb show and livestock auction; demolition derby, Friday, Aug. 4.

. Dollar Day, Sunday, Aug. 6. Admission for all ages is $1. Firefighter’s Parade and Muster, Heart of ME dairy goat show and 4-H horse show.

Fair admission is $6, $4 seniors, $3 children. Parking cost is $4. Presale passes are available until July 21, cost $18 for admission and an unlimited ride wristband, and are good for any one weekday, Monday to Friday, of the fair.

For more information, contact the Bangor Auditorium box office, 100 Dutton St., or call 990-4444, or Ticketmaster, 775-3331; or visit www.bangorstatefair.com.