Family Outings: More foods on a stick? Try 50

Old-fashioned fun, rockin' good shows and more than 50 types of food served on a stick: That has to be the Iowa State Fair. It starts today and continues through Aug. 23.

Headliners for the grandstand shows are Steven Curtis Chapman, tonight; Gary Allan, Friday; Peter Frampton, Saturday; Big and Rich, Sunday; Bret Michaels, Monday; Shinedown, Aug. 20; Brooks and Dunn, Aug. 21; Kelly Clarkson, Aug. 22; and Journey, Aug. 23.

The fairgrounds, on the east side of Des Moines, are packed with livestock exhibits, outdoor stages with free entertainment, food vendors and plenty of contests to engage visitors. There are ponytail competitions and outhouse races, pedal tractor pulls and yo-yo contests. You can stare down your opponent in chess and checkers tournaments or compare hair and legs at the mullet contest and the Mr. Legs Contest.

If you lose, you can soothe your ego by eating a potato lollipop with dipping sauces, followed by fried pineapple on a stick (dipped first in funnel cake batter) for dessert.

Fair hours are 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., with no entry after 9 p.m. on Aug. 23. Buildings are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the midway from 10 a.m. to midnight. Regular gate admission is $10 adults, and $4 children ages 6 to 11. Tickets to grandstand shows cost $27 to $45.

Details on the fair are online at www.iowastatefair.org.

Omaha

Bicyclists will cruise in critters' territory

Explore Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo on your bike, today from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The two-hour Critter Ride will take participants through the zoo to watch educational animal activities. A dinner of hot dogs and cookies will be served.

The Friends of the Omaha Zoo, a volunteer organization, has organized the event as a fundraiser for the zoo. The cost is $15 per person, and participants must be at least 3 years old. The zoo, 3701 S. 10th St., is near Interstate 80 Exit 454. For information or to register, visit www.omahazoo.com.

Omaha

Riverfront concert offers a ‘Free Ride'

The Edgar Winter Group, makers of the classic rock song “Free Ride,” will light up the riverfront on Saturday night. Their free concert is part of the Playing With Fire concert series at Lewis & Clark Landing, 515 N. Riverfront Drive.

Winter's career spans four decades, various musical genres and more than 20 albums, including his 2008 CD “Rebel Road.” He is a singer, songwriter, keyboard artist and saxophonist.

Also on the playbill for Saturday are Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth; Son of 76 and the Watchmen; and the BluesEd Band the Side Effects.

Gates to the festival, sponsored by First National Bank, open at 4 p.m. Food and drink will be available for purchase. No coolers, picnic baskets or outside food and beverages will be allowed. There is no seating, so bring your own folding chairs or blankets. Information: www.playingwithfireomaha.net.

Hastings

Sweet stuff on tap at Kool-Aid Days

Celebrate your Nebraska heritage in Hastings at Kool-Aid Days. The city where Edwin Perkins invented Kool-Aid in 1927 claims to have the world's largest Kool-Aid stand, and who's going to argue when the sweet stuff starts flowing.

The annual festival, Friday through Sunday, takes a 1960s, “feelin' groovy” approach to fun, with cardboard boat races, a classic car show, Beatles music and fireworks. If you go, be sure to take the Kool-Aid Days Trolley, which will have a docent from the Adams County Historical Society onboard from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The trolley connects festival sites.

And don't miss the free concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, showcasing the Beatles tribute band Yesterday and Today. The band includes Omahan Billy McGuigan, who wowed the crowd at last year's festival with his tribute to Buddy Holly.

For additional information on Kool-Aid Days, including bike rides, a run, a walk, and activities at the Hastings Museum, see www.kool-aiddays.com.

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