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Welcome to the one of the 5 largest state fairs in the US that easily tops over 1 million visitors every year.

In 2012, watch for the Arizona State Fair to kick off on Friday, October 12 and run through to Sunday, November 4.

What with rodeo performances, an annual lineup of concerts by major headliners, dozens of carnival rides and everyone's favorite fried foods, the Arizona State Fair is always a family-friendly hit with kids of all ages....

Like most of the more famous state fairs around the country, the Arizona State Fair began under humble circumstances.

Even before it was a state (Arizona entered the union in 1912), a group of families got together to organize the Arizona Territory Fair in 1884. Since then - save for natural disasters, crop failures and a couple of world wars - the fair has been in almost continuous operation.

Today, the fair's permanent home is at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix where each October the fair kicks off with an exciting variety of entertainment :

Figuring prominently are 75 different amusement park rides, more than a 100 food booths, and an array of agricultural exhibitions including everything from pig races to horse festivals.

Speaking of horses, another major annual attraction at the fair is the All-Indian Rodeo, which is usually scheduled when the fair is at its height. Bronco busting, bare-back riding, roping and steer wrestling are all part of the action as the rodeo thunders into the Grandstand in October.

Headline entertainment is always on the menu, of course, with singers and bands from every genre represented and included free with each ticket purchase!

In past years performers such as Rihanna, Kid Rock, Blake Shelton, the B-52s, Selena Gomez, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Miranda Lambert, Goo Goo Dolls and many more have taken the stage at the Arizona State Fair for an all-star concert lineup that is traditionally announced in September.

More information about the Arizona State Fair around the Web:

Arizona Exposition & State Fair - The official site with a complete guide to schedules, concert lineup, ticket prices, deals & discounts, major attractions, photos, maps and directions.

Arizona State Fair - Wikipedia guide to the annual fair including a brief history, attendance records, concert lineup and related resources.

Arizona State Fair - About.com - Extensive guide to the annual Phoenix fest with information on ticket prices, schedule, maps, directions and photos.

AZ State Fair Photos - Photobucket album featuring dozens of clickable thumbnails of animals, rides, entertainment and attractions to be found at the fair.

also see -> Arizona Lakes & Beaches | Arizona Campgrounds

Christmas in Arizona | Moving to Arizona | AZ Outlet Malls