The Puyallup Fair: With a moo-moo here and music there

Summer's not over 'til the fat pig sings.

For folks around here, summer doesn't end with Labor Day or the first day of school. No, summer is officially over when you start hearing those ads with the horse, the cow and the pig singing, "You can do it at a trot/You can do it at a gallop/You can do it real slow/So your heart don't pal-pi-tate/Just don't be late/Do the Puyallup."

And we do. Now in its 101st year, the Western Washington State Fair — aka the Puyallup — is one of the top 10 fairs in the country. Attendance last year was more than 1.3 million, and at least that many are expected this year.

What's new for 2001 are the Crazy Beach Party and Cliffhanger rides, the Cowabunga Cows (like Seattle's pig sculptures, only cows), a health expo, free bus rides on Pierce Transit and Metro Transit, and Sounder train trips from Seattle to the fair on Saturdays (for information, call the fair's 24-hour info-line number or log on to its Web site).

In addition to all the traditional fun at the fair — the scones, the onion burgers, the rides, the animals, the product pitches, the blue-ribbon competitions, etc. — there are grandstand performances to please every taste, including some shows that are free with fair admission.

Here's a list of the grandstand events, with ticket prices. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets, including the fair box office, or 206-628-0888, www.ticketmaster.com. Advance tickets include fair admission (except the $10 reserved shows).

7 tonight: PRCA Rodeo and Chris LeDoux ($19.50).

2 and 7 p.m. tomorrow: PRCA Rodeo (free with fair admission, $12.50 reserved).

2 p.m. Sunday: PRCA Rodeo (free with fair admission, $12.50 reserved).

What's a country fair without a rodeo? This is the real deal, with top-flight cowboys and cowgirls. Traditional country singer LeDoux is an added attraction opening night.

7 p.m. Monday: Jo Dee Messina (free with fair admission, $10 reserved).

The country singer's career has been rekindled with the pop-influenced hit single "Downtime."

7 p.m. Tuesday: Mya and April (free with fair admission, $10 reserved).

Mya is one of the hot singers featured on the hit version of "Lady Marmalade" from "Moulin Rouge." April is a new, young hip-hop singer.

7 p.m. Wednesday: Chicago ($29.50-$34.50).

Rock's top horn band has been going at it for more than 30 years.

5 p.m. Thursday: Funbox Tour (free with fair admission).

Demonstrations by pro and amateur skaters in a tour sponsored by Thrasher magazine.

7 p.m. Sept. 14: 311 ($29.50-$34.50).

The rocking ska/hip-hop band has one of the most danceable sounds around.

7 p.m. Sept. 15: Bonnie Raitt ($37.50-$42.50).

The fair has scored a coup by signing the great blues singer-guitarist and her band for one of their few concerts this year.

7 p.m. Sept. 16: Smokey Robinson ($26.50-$31.50).

Sounding as cool as ever, singing such Miracles classics as "Tracks of My Tears" and "The Tears of a Clown."

7 p.m. Sept. 17: Ramsey Lewis and David Benoit (free with fair admission, $10 reserved).

A rare jazz concert at the fair, with two generations of jazz piano.

7 p.m. Sept. 18: Kenny Rogers ($24.50-$29.50).

Although he tours nonstop, his chops never seem to diminish; he's sounding good these days.

7 p.m. Sept. 19: Plus One (free with fair admission, $10 reserved).

A Christian boy band from Britain; cutie-patooties singing for the Lord.

7 p.m. Sept. 20: Keith Urban and Jamie O'Neal (free with fair admission, $10 reserved).

Urban has a hot country single with "Where the Blacktop Ends" and newcomer O'Neal has one, too, with "When I Think About Angels."

7 p.m. Sept. 21: JT Taylor (free with fair admission, $10 reserved).

The smooth-voiced crooner formerly of Kool & the Gang.

1 p.m. Sept. 22: Travis Fox (free with fair admission).

The hypnotist will attempt to set a world record for the number of people hypnotized.

7 p.m. Sept. 22: Alabama ($32.50-$37.50).

The pop-country band has sold more albums than any other country group.

4 p.m. Sept. 23: Paul Revere & the Raiders and the Kingsmen (free with fair admission, $10 reserved).

Two legendary Northwest rock bands close out the fair.

Patrick MacDonald can be reached at 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com.