Barnstable County Fair Lineup Announced

will return for its 168th season this summer from Saturday, July 21 to Saturday, July 28. The Fair will feature perennial favorites as well as several exciting new attractions. Four national musical acts, a special local talent showcase and three action-packed arena events are included in the evening schedules.

As one of Cape Cod’s favorite traditions, the Barnstable County Fair is one of the region’s “must-see” events. The Fair is steeped in tradition, hands-on exhibits, and great times with 4-H demonstrations, petting zoos, horticulture displays, rides, a huge midway full of games and attractions, fun food and local craftspeople displaying and selling their wares. Almost 90,000 people of all ages attended the Fair in 2011.

This year, the Fair has added several new attractions and upgraded its venues. The “Showcase Stage” has been renovated to improve the playing and viewing experience for local musicians and their fans. A new structure housing the IGX interactive gaming experience is replacing the flower exhibition hall, which has been moved to a new location to help traffic flow. The effort is part of an ongoing plan to improve the Fair experience and increase year-round usage of the Fairgrounds, one of the largest rentable open spaces on Cape Cod.

The Fair has also added a new NASCAR exhibit with a driving simulator and a pit crew challenge. Feel the thrill of driving a real, race-used stock car on the same computer-training simulator that the pros use. It responds as if it were live—right on down to the g-forces and vibrations as you accelerate and brake. The exhibit also includes a tire change challenge, pitting contestants against a live competitor and the clock. Katz Racing Promotions is producing the exhibit, their first visit to the Barnstable County Fair.

A new show, “Disc-Connected K9s – World Famous Frisbee Dogs,” will also be joining the Fair this year. This show features trained rescue and shelter dogs performing aerial acrobatics and other high-flying stunts. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, the Disc-Connected K9s – World Famous Frisbee Dogs put on shows around the country, wowing crowds and raising awareness for canine adoption. In addition to their shows, they also run a free-of-charge adoption program for high-energy breeds.

As for nightly entertainment, the Fabulous Thunderbirds will open the Fair on the main stage at 7:30pm on Saturday, July 21. For over 30 years, the Fabulous Thunderbirds have thrilled crowds with their distinctive and powerful sound and well-known barnburners like “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap it Up.” Co-founder Kim Wilson still spearheads the group, which in its current incarnation features Jay Moeller on drums, Johnny Moeller and Mike Keller on guitar, and Randy Bermudes on bass. 

On Sunday, July 22, the main stage belongs to the big sound and high-energy show of the Billy Joel tribute band Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot. Front man Mike DelGuidice and his band are committed to performing spot-on accurate renditions of Billy Joel’s biggest hits and deep tracks only die-hard will know. Big Shot’s lineup includes Tommy Byrnes, a 21-year Billy Joel Band veteran and Billy Joel’s music director, as well members of the band from the Billy Joel inspired musical “Movin’ Out.” Big Shot’s ensemble has toured with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Michael Bolton, Hall & Oates, and Diana Ross.

Team Extreme/FMX Motocross Trials return to the Fair at 7pm on Monday, July 23 for an evening of high-flying, gravity defying stunts that will thrill and entertain all in attendance. If music is more your speed, check out the Seventh Annual RJL Memorial Fund Battle of the Bands to watch unsigned local musicians perform for a chance at a prize package worth thousands of dollars. The battle will be on the Main Stage from 4-9pm.

The Monster Truck Crush show returns to the Fair on Tuesday, July 24 for another year of metal crushing entertainment in a freestyle match. This show is an annual favorite that fairgoers look forward to every year.

On Wednesday, July 25, the Fair will play host to the World’s Largest Demolition Derby, featuring local drivers in a twisted metal race to the finish. Local celebrities will be hosting all arena shows.

The Cape Cod Summer Star talent search returns to the Fair for its third year. This popular and fast-growing event features the area’s best singing talent competing for a $1,000 cash prize. Produced in partnership with 106 WCOD-FM, Cape Cod Summer Star will host preliminary competitions each Friday evening through July 20 at the Fresh Ketch Restaurant and Lounge in Hyannis. Under-21 contestants are encouraged to submit videos to WCOD’s Facebook Page (details forthcoming). The 12 finalists will compete on stage on Thursday, July 26.

Australian rock n’ roll trailblazers Little River Band will make their Barnstable County Fair debut on Friday, July 27. The Little River Band, or LRB, was one of the first Australian bands to conquer the U.S. market, going on 13 US tours in the eight years after their self-titled debut in 1976. By 1982, they became the only act—from anywhere—to have a top ten US single for six consecutive years. Leader and guitarist Stephen Housden, a LRB mainstay for 25 consecutive years, heads the band in its current incarnation. Their singles “Reminiscing” and “Lady” have more than 8 million radio plays between them, and continue to thrill crowds around the world. 

Rising country music star Josh Thompson closes out the 2012 Fair on Sunday, July 28 on the main stage. Working-class country music has found its voice for a new generation in Thompson, a compelling singer who’s songwriting reflects both the gritty realities of blue-collar life and the beer-fueled release of Friday-night honky-tonk. His hit “Way Out Here” takes listeners as far back into backwoods life as it’s possible to go, while “Beer on the Table” is a powerful anthem celebrating the dance between work and play. Thompson’s album “Way Out Here” spent several weeks on Billboard’s Country charts in 2010.

Annual fan favorites, such as the Cape’s largest midway by Rockwell Amusements, the petting zoo, manicured flower beds and delicious, diet-defying food are all back for another great year in 2012. 

For more information including links to the new attractions, images and tweetable facts, please visit http://bit.ly/bcf2012

COMPLETE ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE: 

Saturday, July 21:     The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Sunday, July 22:        Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot (Billy Joel Tribute)

Monday, July 23:       Team Extreme – FMX/Motocross Trials

Tuesday, July 24:       Monster Truck Crush Show

Wednesday, July 25:  World’s Largest Demolition Derby

Thursday, July 26:      Cape Cod Summer Star Presented By WCOD

Friday, July 27:           Little River Band

Saturday, July 28:      Josh Thompson

DAILY ATTRACTIONS

NASCAR Simulator

Strolling Acts

IGX Gaming Room

Petting Zoo

Wonderful World of Horses

Showcase Stage

The Marketplace

Beekeepers Display

Blacksmith Display

Disc-Connected Canines

Livestock Shows

Horticulture Tent & Gardens

Rockwell Midway

Arts and Crafts