Central Washington State Fair officials announced this morning the entertainment lineup for the fair (and dropped the press packet off with a GIANT bag of popcorn, but sadly, no corndogs). This year’s fair runs Sept. 25-Oct. 4 at State Fair Park.

Set to play the Budweiser Stage are:
• Sept. 26 — Phil Vassar.
• Sept. 29 — Billy Ray Cyrus.
• Sept. 30 — Boyz II Men.
• Oct. 1 — REO Speedwagon.
• Oct. 2 — Curtis Salgado with special guests Too Slim & The Taildraggers.
• Oct. 3 — The Little River Band.

The entertainment for the first Sunday of the fair, Sept. 27, is still to-be-announced, as is the Spanish-language acts for the final Sunday, Oct. 4.

However, the popular hip-hop dance contest and battle of the bands will not return to the main stage this year.

“Even thought they drew really well, we were ready for a change,” said Dianne LaBissoniere, marketing manager for State Fair Park.

Instead, there will be a Guitar Hero contest on the community stage, LaBissoniere noted.

And in the grandstand, the annual lineup of motorsports and rodeos returns with the American Sprint Car Northwest Regional Finals on Sept. 25-26; the Festival de Musica featuring singers, dancers and other entertainers Sept. 27 (this replaces the Hispanic rodeo); and the Pro West Finals Rodeo Oct. 2-3. The fair closes with a demolition derby Oct. 4.

Around-the-grounds entertainment will include a number of new attractions such as a Walking With Lions show featuring white lions; a Hunters of the Sky show featuring birds of prey; and Candyland, an exhibit taking over all of Pioneer Hall that will show the history and making of a variety of candies as well as a giant Pez dispenser and a perpetual motion gumball machine.

All the events and entertainment are free with paid admission to the fair. However, fairgoers can purchase tickets for reserved seating at most main stage and grandstand events.

Reserved seats are $21 for Phil Vassar and the Little River Band; $31 for Billy Ray Cyrus and Boyz II Men; $26 for REO Speedwagon; $16 for Curtis Salgado and the Sprint cars; and $11 for the Pro West Rodeo.

Reserved seat tickets — which do not include the fair admission price — go on sale at noon this Friday through TicketsWest, 800-325-7328, or from the State Fair ticket office, 509-248-7160.