Barnstable County Fair 2010
The Barnstable County Fair, Cape Cod’s biggest summer celebration, opens Saturday, July 17 at noon for an eight-day run at the fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway (Route 151) in East Falmouth, MA.
The new hours are noon to 10 p.m. each day. The midway will remain open until 11:30 p.m.
The Fair attracts between 75,000 and 90,000 people each season to acres of midway rides, arena and stage shows, games of chance, food vendors, and animal and crafts exhibits.
General admission is $10 for people 13 and older. Admission for kids 6-12 is $2, and those five and younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Seniors (65 and older) and those with a current military ID are admitted for $8. Multi-day passes are available at a discount. Paid and free parking are available adjacent to the fairgrounds.
Wristband Days
Fairgoers may purchase special wristbands that entitle the wearer to “all you can ride” on the midway for $20. They will be sold on July 18, 19, 22 and 23 between noon and 7 p.m. Wristbands are valid through 11:30 pm on those days. Certain ride and height restrictions apply.
Entertainment
Village People, the world’s acknowledged disco icons, will reprise their standing-room-only 2008 Fair concert with a raucous return to the main stage opening night. Now in their 33rd year of dance music, energetic choreography and outrageous fun, today’s Village People include five of the six original costumed men who first rocked the music world in 1978 with their hits, “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.”
The future of country-rock music may belong to the Eli Young Band, a North Texas foursome that performs with passion, energy and excitement. The group was a finalist for the 2010 Top New Vocal Group by the Academy of Country Music Awards. They will perform Sunday, July 18. Led by vocalist Mike Eli and guitarist James Young, the band is inspired by a modern country sound and solid-roots rock. Their 2008 debut album, “Jet Black and Jealous,” soared onto the top five of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
On Tuesday, July 20, the Fair will host the finals for Cape Cod Summer Star, a search contest for the area’s best singing talent. Produced in partnership with 106 WCOD-FM, Cape Cod Summer Star has been hosting preliminary competitions each Friday evening since June 25 at Hyannis’s Fresh Ketch Restaurant and Lounge. The 12 finalists will compete on-stage July 20 for a $1,000 cash prize.
Gin Blossoms, the mid-1990s mega-group, will perform its menu of smart pop music Friday, July 23 on the main stage. Reunited in 2002 following a breakup, lead singer Robin Wilson and his band mates will resurrect their Top 10 hits, “Till I Hear from You” and “Follow you Down,” along with tracks from their 1992 quadruple-platinum album, “New Miserable Experience.”
Country music sensation Bucky Covington will return to the Fair closing night, Saturday, July 24. Popular for his energetic and heartfelt stage act, the 29-year-old won a wide national following since making it to the final eight in American Idol’s season five. In 2007, Bucky Covington brought a huge Barnstable County Fair lawn audience to its feet with performances from his self-titled album and string of Top 10 singles.
Arena Shows
Three Monster Trucks will take over the fairgrounds’ arena Thursday, July 22 in a thrilling triple freestyle mash. Fairgoers may have photos taken with the trucks and their drivers starting at 5 p.m. on the 22nd.
The crowd-pleasing World’s Largest Demolition Derby will return Wednesday, July 21, and sky-chasing FMX Motocross drivers will go wheel-to-wheel again Monday, July 19.
Photos
High-resolution photos of entertainers and events are available for viewing at www.BarnstableCountyFair.org/media/.
Animals Too!
For the first time, the fair will present Aussie Kingdom, the only traveling Australian animal education show in the U.S. It showcases fascinating pouched animals (marsupials), including kangaroos and wallabies along with a collection of colorful Australian birds.
Returning after a brief absence will be the popular petting zoo for adults and children, featuring small creatures, exotic cats and giant snakes.
The always-popular Birds of Prey show of rescued raptors will make a return engagement as well.
The non-profit agricultural society uses a portion of the Fair’s proceeds to fund scholarships for Cape-area young people who pursue careers in agriculture and conservation.
For more information, go to www.BarnstableCountyFair.org or find the Fair’s page on Facebook.