Fair entertainment

SEMO District Fair officials recently announced the acts they're bringing to Arena Park this September.

The fair will have a truck and tractor pull on opening day, barrel racing Sept. 8, a "freestyle madness" FMX [freestyle motocross] and BMX event Sept. 9, dual-demolition derby Sept. 10 and the 13th annual Heartland Idol on Sept. 11. The musical acts start Sept. 12.

The grandstand music concerts include:

* Three Dog Night, a band that has earned 13 gold albums and had 21 Top 40 hits between 1969 and 1975.

* The Mavericks, a group that blends country, neotraditional country and Tex-Mex, perhaps most known for its song "What a Crying Shame" in the 1990s, and winner of the Academy of Country Music's Top Vocal Group award in 1994 and 1995 and a Grammy for "Here Comes the Rain" single for best country performance by a duo or group.

* Lee Brice, whose song "A Woman Like You" reached No. 1 in 2012. His song "Love Like Crazy," reached No. 3 on the country charts in 2009.

More than 97,000 people attended last year's fair. District officials this year hope to increase attendance with event tickets being available online.

Tickets for all events go on sale July 25 and can be purchased at semofair.com.

Mark your calendars. The fair should be a lot of fun again this year.