{gallery}07_27_10/minihorses{/gallery}The Park County Fair began with the Miniature Horse Show Monday. Above, Aspen Aguire leads her acrobatic horse to the finish. Tribune photo by Kevin Kinzley Country star Jo Dee Messina performs Wednesday night Prized pigs are prepped. Exhibit halls are plumb full of colorful needlework, homegrown produce and handcrafted artwork. Cotton candy, fresh lemonade and a smorgasbord of fair food await hungry crowds.It can all mean only one thing: the annual Park County Fair is here.

This year's fair, with a theme of “A Timeless Tradition,” kicks off today (Tuesday) with free stage acts and pig mud wrestling, a crowd favorite.

The week promises to have something for everyone, said Fair Manager Steve Scott.

Last year saw about 38,000 visitors through the gate, and “we're hoping for 35,000-40,000 this year,” Scott said.

Fairgoers can count on old standby favorites at the grandstands throughout the week — tonight's pig mud wrestling, Friday's Figure 8 Races and Saturday's demolition derby.

This year's headliner act, Jo Dee Messina, takes the grandstand stage Wednesday night. The show begins at 7 p.m. with the Doo-Wah Riders, followed by Messina.

Thursday night crowds will be entertained by the “Play with Gravity” motor cross stunts and chuckwagon races at the grandstand.

Thursday is also “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” day at the fair, part of a national campaign to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer.

Tickets for all grandstand events are still available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.parkcountyfair.com or at the fair office.

“Ticket sales picked up,” Scott said.

Scott said the economic downturn hasn't significantly affected county fairs. Other fairs in the region “have had a decent year,” Scott said.

Though residents may be more selective and skip a grandstand event to save money, Scott said county fairs fare pretty well, even during times of economic turmoil. That was the case last year, “and we're hoping that holds true,” Scott said.

The fair also offers plenty of free events. Free stage acts begin at noon today (Tuesday) and continue through Saturday evening.

Exhibit halls, both commercial and arts and crafts, will be open throughout the week. Carnival rides begin Wednesday and run through Saturday night.

The annual fair parade rolls down Bent Street Saturday morning. The Kids' Day Parade starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Park County Parade at 10 a.m.

Also on Saturday, local youth will sell their prized pigs, sheep, steers and other animals at the Junior Livestock Sale, beginning at 1 p.m.

Daily gate admission, beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, is $5, and a week's pass costs $10. Children 12 years and under get in free.

This year's fair concludes Saturday night rather than Sunday afternoon. A community worship service still will take place at 9 a.m. Sunday at the fairgrounds.