1: Officially and a mite pompously for people who deal with swine its the Arizona Exposition & State Fair.
2: The State F . . . er, Expo opens at noon Friday, October 16, and continues through November 8. Its closed Mondays.
3: Admission on opening day is a measly buck til 7 p.m.
4: This years first $25 Unlimited Ride Wristband Day is October 20; each Wednesday is $1 Ride & Game Day (really cool rides excluded). New this year: 21 Days for $21 unlimited-admission Expo pass.
5: Hot rides thatll cost ya: Speed, Mega Drop, Le Grande Wheel, Skyflyer, Tango, Remix, Wave. Bargain thrill: Spidermania at three tickets.
6: Hottest tickets at the melted horseshoe: Bob Dylan (Saturday), Stone Temple Pilots (Sunday), David Cook (November 3), Kelly Clarkson (November 7).
7: Cheesiest attractions: Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Ham Bone Express Racing Pigs, Thrill the World Zombie Thriller Dance (set to Michael Jacksons hit).
8: Admission ranges from $5 to $10; its free for kids under 5. Tack on $10 more for Fairgrounds parking.
9: Yes, there are ATMs on-site, and youll need em.
10: More info: www.azstatefair.com.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Oct. 16. Continues through Nov. 8, 2009