Barnstable County Fair Opens in East Falmouth
Saturday, July 16 for Eight “Full of Fun” Days

July 7, 2011

For Immediate Release

The Barnstable County Fair, Cape Cod’s biggest summer celebration, opens Saturday, July 16 at noon for an eight-day run at the fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway (Route 151) in East Falmouth, MA.

The 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 get in free when accompanied by a paying adult. Seniors (65 and older) and those with a current military ID will be 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 17, 18, 21 and 22 between noon and 7 p.m. Wristbands are valid through 11:30 pm on those days only. Certain ride and height restrictions apply.

Entertainment

The Gin Blossoms, the mid-1990s mega-group, will open the Fair on the main stage at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 16, performing its menu of smart pop music. The group’s performance was rained out last year. 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.”

The future of country-rock music may belong to Thompson Square, the husband-and-wife team of Keifer and Shawna Thompson. Their music is described as “where rough meets smooth, and one vagabond heart finds harmony with another.” Thompson Square recently enjoyed a #1 country hit, “Are you Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and a chart-topping country music video. They will perform on the main stage at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 17.

On Thursday, July 21, 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 will host preliminary competitions each Friday evening through July 15 at Hyannis’s Fresh Ketch Restaurant and Lounge. Under-21 performers are encouraged to submit videos to WCOD’s Facebook page and search Cape Cod Summer Star.

The 12 finalists will compete on stage July 21 at 7:30 p.m. for a $1,000 cash prize.

Paul Revere and the Raiders, one of the few U.S. rock ‘n roll groups to flourish during the mid 60’s British musical invasion will reprise its many chart hits on stage Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. Their memorable singles include “Kicks,” “Hungry,” “Good Things” and “Indian Reservation.” The group also appeared regularly on two ABC-TV series, “Where the Action Is” and “Happening.”

Crystal Bowersox won over millions of American hearts last year when she captured the runner-up spot on American Idol. Since then, the 25-year-old single mom from Ohio has emerged as one of the most-recognized singer/songwriters in the world. She has enjoyed great success with her first album of songs, “Farmer’s Daughter.” Crystal will perform at 7:30 p.m. on closing night, Saturday, July 23.

Photos

High-resolution photos of entertainers are available for viewing: click here.

Arena Shows

Three brawny Monster Trucks will take over the fairgrounds’ main arena Tuesday, July 19 in a thrilling freestyle mash.

On Monday, July 18, the U.S. Freestyle Motocross National Championship Series returns to the Fair’s main arena at 7 p.m. for an evening of sky-chasing, two-wheeled excitement. And the crowd-pleasing World’s Largest Demolition Derby will be staged Wednesday, July 20, featuring local drivers and cars in a battle to the smoking finish.

Animals Too!

For the first time, the fair will present Sea Lion Splash, a traveling educational show organized by Floridians Marco and Kathi Peters. They adopted and continue to care for beached sea lions that were unable to be returned to the wild due to age or injuries.
The always-popular Birds of Prey show of rescued raptors will return this year as will the popular petting zoo for adults and children, featuring small creatures, exotic cats and giant snakes.

Scholarships

Before the Gin Blossoms take the stage on opening night, the non-profit Barnstable Country Agricultural Society will present $35,000 in scholarships to Cape-area students who plan to pursue careers in agriculture, landscape architecture and home economics.

The non-profit Barnstable County Agricultural Society uses fair proceeds, in part, to fund scholarships for Cape-area young people who pursue careers in agriculture and conservation.

For more information, go to Barnstable County Fair home page or Barnstable County Fair on Facebook

2011 Entertainment Lineup

Editors: For further information and interviews, contact Wendy Brown at 508 563-3200 or Email Wendy@BarnstableCountyFair.org

Photos: High-resolution photos of entertainers and events will be available to editors soon at www.BarnstableCountyFair.org/media/

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