More than 150 years ago, a Pueblo community came together to celebrate its rich culture of agriculture and the harvest.

All these years later, 500,000 people still make their way to the Colorado State Fair every year for a multitude of reasons: to take part in 4-H competitions, listen to a country music concert, watch a rodeo, ride a Ferris wheel and watch a group of pigs race for Oreos.

The week-and-a-half-long event starts Friday at the fairgrounds in Pueblo and runs through Sept. 1.

“There are so many unique things to experience,” said the fair’s general manager Andrea Wiesenmeyer.

“It’s a little slice of Americana. We’ve got fair food, and if you stroll though the creative arts building there’s everything from quilt making and woodworking to canning. It’s all the bits and pieces of what makes Colorado and America so special. You get to celebrate it all in one space. Even if you come back two days in a row your experience won’t be the same.”

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This year’s fair offers a number of new entertainers, including TikTok star Rock-It the Robot, a 9-foot strolling robot that will sing and dance around the fair, and a strolling plant guy who loves to make puns. The Bubbler will ride through the grounds, creating bubbles in their wake. And the crowd-favorite Swifty Swine Racing Pigs will take over Triangle Park multiple times a day. Returning favorite All-American High Dive will feature Olympic-level and professional divers doing stunts.

“There’s over $250,000 in free entertainment through 11 days of the fair,” Wiesenmeyer said.

Wednesday is the best day to attend the fair, in terms of your bank account. For $15, visitors get to watch the ranch rodeo, partake in the carnival rides and attend the Ned LeDoux concert.

Other musical acts include country singer Cooper Alan, Lee Brice and Clay Walker, country pop singer Russell Dickerson, rapper Flo Rida, rock band Cheap Trick and the My Generation Tour with The Lovin’ Spoonful, Gary Lewis & and the Playboys and The Hollies Greatest Hits with Terry Sylvester. Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias also will perform.

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Other arena events include a ranch rodeo, PRCA rodeo, two monster truck shows and a demolition derby.

Those with special needs can register for the PRCA Exceptional Rodeo on Monday. It’s designed for kids ages 4-12, but adults also can participate. The mock and adaptive rodeo allows entrants to partner with rodeo contestants to do stick horse barrel racing, ride stuffed bucking bulls and bronc horses, and rope fake calves and steers. Registration is required. Go online to pdipueblo.org.

“It’s an opportunity for kids and adults with disabilities who can’t spend time at the rodeo in large crowds or have issues with being here at a certain time of the day,” Wiesenmeyer said.

New fair food includes mini doughnuts, and in the carnival midway is the new Sky Trip, nestled among the 49 other rides, including the popular 110-foot Ferris wheel, 88-Foot Mulligan Wheel in the kids area and the carousel.

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“Off Gate 5 the carousel sits there,” Wiesenmeyer said. “It’s a really great nostalgic piece we’re able to share. It really says fair.”

On Labor, Day the fair powers down a bit for sensory day, turning down the lights and sounds as it works with the Autism Society of Colorado to create a more sensory-friendly space.

“We celebrate the culture, agriculture, history, harvests and accomplishments of the people of Colorado,” Wiesenmeyer said. “There’s the comfort of a state fair. You can roll it back to the county level — county fairs are the heartbeat of what we do. We bring the celebration of each county to the state level. It creates core memories for people.”