The 2008 Stanislaus County Fair opens its 10-day run Friday at the fairgrounds in Turlock, where visitors will enjoy headline entertainment free with the price of admission, pack the grandstand for an array of popular motorsports attractions, indulge in favorite fair foods and thrill to their favorite midway ride.

“Nuts are Dino-Mite,” is the theme of the annual fair, a salute to Stanislaus County’s almond and walnut industries. Each day, 1,000 guests will receive a “Nut of the Day” edible gift, courtey of one of 10 participating Stanislaus County almond or walnut companies.

A special treat of another sort awaits fair-goes who venture into “Jurassic Journey,” a step back in time to the land of the dinosaurs. The adventurous and educational exhibit features 40 individual, full-sized museum quality replicas of dinosaurs, ice-age mammals and fossils.

Livestock shows, exhibits, commercial booths, non-stop entertainment and much more awaits visitors to the annual exposition.

Following is a daily schedule of headline entertainment, special promotional days and arena events for the upcoming county fair.

Friday, July 25

Fair visitors bringing a canned food item receive $2 off the price of adult admission on opening day.

Country music star Clay Walker, who has four platinum albums and two gold albums to his name, is the opening night performer on the Budweiser Variety Free Stage. He performs at 8:30 p.m.

Tuff Trucks will roar into the FoodMaxx Arena for a 7:30 p.m. competition. Tickets are $8 for reserved seats, $6 for adult general admission and $4 for children’s general admission (12 and under).

Saturday, July 26

Seniors 65 and older are admitted free of charge on Seniors Day, and ride the carousel for free.

Grammy-nominated Bowling for Soup is featured on the Budweiser Free Stage at 8:30 p.m. The pop/rock band has sold over a million records and is climbing the charts.

Truck and tractor pulls begin at 6:30 p.m. in the FoodMaxx Arena, with nearly 150 participants expected to compete. Tickets are $10 for reserved seats, $8 for adult general admission and $6 for children’s general admission.

Sunday, July 27

Sunday Saver coupons, available at participating Save Mart and Raley’s stores, are good for $2 off the price of adult general admission.

Country band Sawyer Brown performs at 8:30 on the Budweiser Free Stage.

Bull riding is the featured attraction in front of the grandstand, with the action starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for reserved seats, $6 for adult general admission and $4 for children’s general admission.

Monday, July 28

Acclaimed Christian band Building 429 and inspiring songwriter Matthew West will entertain visitors to the free stage beginning at 8:30 p.m.

A smashingly good time is in store in the arena, where Destruction Derby I – Traditional Turmoil is on tap at 7 p.m. Reserved seats are sold out, but 1,200 general admission seats will go on sale at 5 p.m. on the day of the event. Tickets will be available only at arena ticket booths. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children.

Tuesday, July 29

Coupons available from participating 7Up retailers are good for $4 off adult admission and $2 off unlimited ride wristbands.

Award-winning Little Big Town will thrill country western fans when they perform on the Budweiser Free Stage at 8:30 p.m.

Across the way, more action is in store when the Destruction Derby II – Metal Mayhem begins at 7 p.m. Reserved seats are $10, adult general admission is $8 and children’s general admission is $6.

Wednesday, July 30

Classic rock takes center stage when the Doobie Brothers perform in concert at 8:30 p.m. on the Budweiser Free Stage.

Quad drags and motorcycle jumpers will be featured in the FoodMaxx Arena beginning at 7 p.m. Reserved seats are $8, adult general admission is $6 and children’s general admission is $4.

Thursday, July 31

Children 12 and under will be admitted free on Kids’ Night. The first 1,000 children ages 3-12 will receive a voucher for a free Monterey Aquarium children’s admission ticket valued at $15.95.

Raven-Symone brings her mix of heart-felt ballads, hip-hop and R&B songs to the free stage for an 8:30 p.m. concert

The Budweiser Clydesdales will trot into the FoodMaxx Arena for a 6:45 p.m. show, followed by the CCPRA rodeo at 7. Entrance is free with the price of fair admission.

Friday, Aug. 1

The Beach Boys will rock the free stage with their endless array of timeless hits and enduring classics. The group performs in concert at 8:30 p.m.

Quad cross and pee wee bikes are featured in the arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $8, adult general admission is $6 and children’s general admission is $4.

Saturday, Aug. 2

The Temptations perform on the Budweiser Free Stage at 8:30 p.m., captivating their audience with a smooth, classic sound which still enchants the group’s fans after 40 years.

Motocross is on tap at 7:30 p.m. in the arena. Reserved seats are $10, adult general admission is $8 and children’s general admission is $6.

Sunday, Aug. 3

Sunday Saver coupons, available at participating Raley’s and SaveMart supermarkets, are good for $2 off the price of adult admission on the fair’s final day.

The free stage will host Mariachi Vargas in concert at 8:30 p.m.

Mud bog is on the schedule for 7 p.m. in the FoodMaxx Arena. Reserved seats are $8, adult general admission is $6 and children’s general admission is $4.

General information

The fairgrounds open at 5 p.m. weekdays and noon on weekends. Grounds close at midnight Monday through Thursday, 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 12:30 a.m. Sundays.

Regular price adult admission is $10. Children ages 6-12 are admitted for $3. Those 5 and under are admitted free of charge.