CORVALLIS — Show Up, Show Off, Celebrate! Is the 2007 theme for the Benton County Fair and Rodeo, which will be Aug. 1-5. The fair will feature new events such as daily hypnotist shows, a petting zoo and a chicken cook-off.

Award-winning musicians will take the main stage to entertain the crowd.

Mark Chesnutt, winner of the County Music Association Horizon Award, will open the fair on Wednesday. Chesnutt has four platinum albums, five gold albums, 14 No. 1 singles and 23 Top Ten Singles. Billboard Magazine labeled him one of the Ten Most-Played Artists of the 1990s.

On Thursday, Grammy Award winner Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brings its 40th anniversary tour to Corvallis.

Grand Funk Railroad, known for their 1973 gold record “We’re An American Band,” will take the stage on Friday.

Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts will perform nostalgic music from 1950s and ’60s on Saturday.

On Sunday, Pepe & The Bottle Blondes will close out the fair performing Latin rhythms and swing with a twist.

This year’s fair will also feature a chicken cook-off competition, hosted by Traeger Grills. The winner will take home a Traeger Grill and represent Benton County at the Oregon State Fair.

Arena entertainment will be:

Aug. 1: Tractor Pull

Aug. 2: NPRA Rodeo

Aug. 3: NPRA Rodeo

Aug. 4: NPRA Rodeo

Aug. 5: Extreme Motorcycle Thrill Show FMX

Democrat-Herald