Oakland County Fair returns to Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road in Davisburg, 9 a.m.-11 p.m., July 12-16; and 9 a.m.-9 p.m., July 17.
New this year is Oakland County Fair Idol Contest, open to all ages, solos, duets, trios, and choirs.
Auditions are 6-9 p.m., July 12,14, and 15 ? no profanity or immoral themes. Finalists compete on Sunday, July 17, 1-2:30 p.m. First place prize is $500. Second place gets $250, and third place, $100.
Email ssp5078@yahoo.com for a registration form and more info.
Free activities at the fair include exotic petting zoo, racing pigs, miracle of birth barn and a circus.
Thursday, July 14, is Oakland County Parks Day and Special Needs Day. Guests with a 2011 Annual Vehicle Permit receive free parking. From 9-11 a.m., the carnival will open early for kids with special needs to ride with a mentor and attend a special showing of the circus.
Main Arena Events, carnival rides and food cost extra. The carnival is open Tuesday-Friday, 1-11 p.m.; Saturday, 12-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 12-9 p.m.
Main Arena Events include the Super Kicker Rodeo, Demolition Derby and Monster Trucks.
Parking is $10/vehicle. Walk-in entry is $4/person. ?
For complete list of fair happenings, rates, and event times, call 248-634-8830 or visit www.oakfair.org.