It’s a fair to remember.

As a way to honor the country’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary, the Colorado State Fair is calling its 11-day event a “Fairitage.”

Fun fact: The fair is four years older than the state. And it attracts between 400,000 and 500,000 visitors from around the state and the country.

It runs Friday through Sept. 7 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo.

“The true intention of the fair, which is a celebration of agriculture and a gathering of community, is still there,” said the fair’s general manager, Andrea Wiesenmeyer. “The beautiful thing is we are a piece of Americana. Even though we’ve evolved in how we do things, the intention is still the same as when we started 154 years ago. It’s important to come and be a part of this community that celebrates every year what Colorado has accomplished.”

10 things not to miss

— Free entertainment: Out of the fair’s five venues, three of them offer free shows: the AFW Amphitheater, PB & T Bank Pavilion and Pepsi Stage. Free concerts this year include arena rock tribute band Hairball; 1990s country cover band Double Wide; variety band Uptown Jam; Lies or Lullabies, a tribute to John Mellencamp, Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen; The Outlaw Mariachi; Dead Floyd, a Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd tribute band; and Pueblo native and country singer Cody Cozz.

— Ticketed events: Pony up for monster trucks, demolition derby, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeos and concerts by country singers Ian Munsick, Dylan Scott, Neal McCoy and Jordan Davis; the I Love the ’90s Tour with Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, Color Me Badd and C+C Music Factory; and alternative rockers The Fray with ROME from Sublime with Rome.

— Carnival rides: With more than 45 rides, there’s bound to be one for the bravest thrill-seeker and one for those who prefer to remain vertigo-free. Check out Big Surf, Haunted Mansion, the Super Shot, Tornado, Hurricane, Funslide, Merry Go Round and Zero Gravity. One-day unlimited ride bands are $34 through Thursday and $42 beginning on the fair’s opening day.

— Ag-Venture Land: An area featuring animals and family-friendly, hands-on agricultural activities.

— Fine Arts Exhibit and General Entry: Check out juried works by emerging and professional artists from around the state in the Fine Arts Exhibit. A public opening reception is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, before the fair opens. General Entry competitions include baking, canning, crocheting, quilting, agriculture, beer and wine and more. Thousands of entries are submitted each year.

— Deals and discounts: While general admission is typically $15, you can score a great deal on weekdays. One Price Wednesday is $15 and includes admission, a ranch rodeo, Hairball concert, and a carnival ride wristband. Fridays are free admission for seniors 60 and older, $5 general admission until 5 p.m. for adults and select $5 items at food stands until 5 p.m.; coloradostatefair.com/plan-your-visit/deals-and-discounts. Also, if you buy a ticket for a concert or motor sports event before Friday, admission is included in the price.

— Colorado State Fair Parade: One of the oldest parades in the state will start at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Pueblo. Former Denver Broncos star Karl Mecklenburg will serve as grand marshal.

— Drone show: On Tuesday, Sept. 3 and 7, the “Stories in the Sky” statewide series will send 500 drones into the night skies to celebrate Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th anniversaries with depictions of history, people and landscapes.

— Fair food: A wise person brings an antacid on any journey to a state fair where deeply unhealthy foods lord over the midway. This year will be no different, with the return of last year’s new favorite — mini doughnuts — along with candied fruit skewers, nitro ice cream, green chili-smothered sloppers, pork chop on a stick, turkey legs and corn dogs.

— Quirky attractions: Step right up and witness Mighty Mike, a mustached man in a 1920s bathing suit, who juggles bowling balls and sledgehammers. Or cheer on your favorite waterfowl in the Great American Duck Race. Keep your eyes open for The Bubbler, who blows giant and teeny bubbles as he rides his bike through the fair. Cure a case of the grumps at the Great American Petting Farm, or watch Team Sandtastic, a Florida-based sand sculpture company that will create an eye-popping 150-ton sand sculpture.

If you go

What: Colorado State Fair

When: Friday through Sept. 7

Where: Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo

Price: $15 gate admission, $7 ages 5-12, free 4 and younger; coloradostatefair.com