Fun, fins at fair

Bring on the prize llamas, steers, swine, chickens, bunnies . . . and sharks?!

That’s right. Dutch shark-whisperer Philip Peters is on his way — lemon and nurse sharks in tow — to the 102nd annual El Paso County Fair in Calhan. The former human cannonball, who says sharks are sadly misunderstood, nevertheless begins his act with the soundtrack from “Jaws.”

Let’s hope the Weiner Dog Contest is on the other side of the fairgrounds.

But toothy sea-life aside, this down-home fair has stayed true to its potato-festival roots. With the grounds opening Saturday, GO! dodged through the chicken house, sampled some pies, and stepped into the rodeo to bring you this guide to good ol’ country fun.

WHAT’S NEW

- Live Shark Encounter — Watch Peters descend into the back of his big rig — which doubles as a 5,000-gallon aquarium — amid a cloud of smoke. He’ll dance with the sharks and hypnotize them (a trick that works “some of the time”). But the star of the show is Loretta — a 6-foot-long nurse shark who likes having her tummy tickled.

- El Paso County’s Got Talent — Do you juggle swords, play the clarinet, have strangely dexterous toes? Submit your talent to Suzan Link at suzanlink@elpasoco.com. Ten will compete for $100 and the chance to perform on the KKTV/Channel 11 morning show.

- Concerts — Western gospel band the Colorado Wranglers and comedic cowboy duo the Yampa Valley Boys will play the range.

- Top Hogs & Dogs — Watch Porkchop and Mudslinger, members of MENSA’s swine chapter, do impressions of Elvis Presley and Stevie Wonder.

- The Monster Truck Show, which will boast a “special secret surprise,” according to tight-lipped fair planners

WHAT’S OLD

Returning favorites at the 2007 fair:

- Hendrick’s Petting Zoo, where you can tickle a zebra, water buffalo, giant tortoise or kangaroo.

- 4-H competitions — Kids’ agricultural and husbandry projects, the mainstay of the fair.

- The Pet Show, this time with a licking contest.

- Trash to Treasure — Submit the laptop you constructed from banana peels. . . or the vase-type thing you made from a coffee can.

- Carnival rides c Dress Your Potato, a competition in honor of the fair’s humble beginnings.

- Chickens that look nothing like chickens!

- The Demolition Derby — the most popular fender-bender-blender in town; show up early to get in.

FAIR TIPS HOW TO SNAG A BLUE RIBBON

The fair’s theme this year may be “Where everyone wins,” but not everyone can be a grand champ. We asked for advice from a few past winners.

ED CARLEY, 65,

Sweepstakes Champion in fruits and vegetables, 2006: “If you have five carrots, they should all be the same diameter, color and length. The same with beets and onions. A summer squash shouldn’t be more than 9 inches long. What can you do with a 200-pound guinea squash? I mean, other than put it in bread.”

SHEREE FRIEDEL, 16,

Grand Champion, Llama Showmanship, 2005 and 2006, who will be showing llamas Homer and Paul Bunyon: “Sometimes llamas will refuse to do something you ask them to do, which makes it tough. With Homer, it’s showmanship; Paul doesn’t like to back up and he doesn’t like to get brushed . . . I’m not too nervous this year. I think I’m the only entry in my group.”

PAT COPELAND, 62,

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, 2005: “It’s very hard to get a blue-ribbon in chocolate chip cookies. They get something like 15 entries . . . The altitude here makes it a little tricky. You can’t use too much butter and you can’t use too much leavening.”

ASHLEY BULLOCK, 16,

2006 Catch-it-Calf winner: “Bubba,” the calf Bullock won last summer, is all grown up and will be competing for best market steer. “If someone’s chasing (the calf), you’ve got to go in front of it and cut it off. They’re only about 200 pounds.”

details

The El Paso County Fair

When: Saturday through July 28, 10 a.m. (some private events start earlier) closing times vary from 10 p.m. or later

Where: El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan, 30 miles east of Colorado Springs. From U.S. Highway 24, take a right onto Yoder Street.

Cost: A one-day pass is $7 for adults; $5 for seniors; $3 for kids, 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. Admission for the full eight days is $25 for adults; $15 for seniors and kids, 3-12; discounts available for 4-H members. Tickets to some concerts and special events cost extra.

details

The El Paso County Fair

When: Saturday through July 28, 10 a.m. (some private events start earlier) closing times vary from 10 p.m. or later

Where: El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan, 30 miles east of Colorado Springs. From U.S. Highway 24, take a right onto Yoder Street.

Cost: A one-day pass is $7 for adults; $5 for seniors; $3 for kids, 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. Admission for the full eight days is $25 for adults; $15 for seniors and kids, 3-12; discounts available for 4-H members. Tickets to some concerts and special events cost extra.

Fair Schedule

Each day has a different theme. For a complete events listing go to www.elpasocounty fair.com.

JULY 21 Opening Day — Goats, sheep, and a tractor pull, capped off with monster trucks at 7 p.m.

JULY 22 Family Day — Family-friendly fun, including a Colorado Wranglers concert at 6 p.m.

JULY 23 Furry Friends Day — Pets competing in silly costumes; pie and jam judging

JULY 24 Youth Day — Watermelon-seed spitting and ice cream eating contests

JULY 25 Dollar Day — Everyone gets in for a dollar

JULY 26 4-H Day — 4-H games and dancing

JULY 27 Senior Day — Girl scouts serve seniors free pie at noon; a sock hop at 6 p.m.

JULY 28 American Heroes Day — Fort Carson soldiers make an appearance; the Wings of Blue skydivers descend at 5:30 p.m.