During its 11-day run, the Oregon State Fair in Salem becomes the state's second largest "city" and boasts 500 stores and 75 eateries, making the fair Oregon's largest mall.

The Big One, which opens at 10 a.m. Friday, offers headliner entertainment, animal exhibits, draft horse competitions, a carnival, a sanctioned rodeo and a USO-style veterans' show, plus lots more.

Top comedian Bill Engvall performs Friday night. Vanessa Hudgens, star of the "High School Musical" movies will appear Saturday; Weird Al Yankovic, the king of pop culture parodies, on Monday; Creedence Clearwater Revisited with two members of the original Revival on Aug. 26; Garrison Keillor, creator of "A Prairie Home Companion: The Rhubarb Tour, on Aug. 27; and country iconic legend Willie Nelson on Aug. 29.

Farm animals are one of the major attractions at the fair. Promoting livestock and agriculture were the primary reasons that fairs started.

FFA livestock exhibitors are at the fair Friday through Aug. 25, and 4-H livestock exhibitors will be at the fairgrounds Aug. 26-31. Dairy and beef cattle will be there all 11 days. Sheep are at the fair the first five days, and the swine and goats are there the last six days.

Other events include The Greg Frisbee Show throughout the fair run, featuring fire eating, juggling and mind reading. A Disney Under The Stars performance is Saturday and Sunday, hypnotist Travis Fox will appear on the Familyville Stage throughout the fair, and the New Shanghai Circus will appear all days of the fair.

On the Comcast Center Stage, John English, "The Voice," will perform a tribute to Frank Sinatra on Aug. 24-28.

For the younger set there will be duck races, a Let's Pretend Circus and the Lil' Big Top.

The second annual Veterans Appreciation Parade on Saturday will feature the Grand Ronde Tribe Honor Guard, the Oregon Patriot Guard Motorcycle Riders, the Oregon Motorcycle Veterans Association and the Oregon Historical Military Society with their vehicles.

Veterans are invited to walk in the parade, which will be about a half-mile in length.

The parade starts at 12:30 p.m., and veterans are asked to report to the yellow gate at least 15 minutes before the start.

A recreated Bob Hope '60s USO Show starts at 1 p.m. Saturday on the Spirit of Oregon Stage.

If you go

What: The Oregon State Fair.

When: Friday to Sept. 1.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Cost: $10 at the gate for ages 13-64; $6 for ages 65 and older; $5 for ages 6-12; free for kids under 5.

Directions from Albany: Take Interstate 5 north to exit 256, the Market Street exit. Stay left at the fork and follow signs to the fairgrounds. Turn left on Market, and right at 17th Street Northeast. The address is 2330 17th St. N.E.