Arizona gave $1.7 million in federal stimulus money to the Arizona State Fair to complete repairs on the roof of Veterans Memorial Coliseum, just in time for its start date on Oct. 16, according to an announcement last week by Gov. Jan Brewer.

The annual conglomeration of games, rides and entertainment wraps-up this weekend with performances from Old School Jam on Friday and tween/teen favorite Zendaya, best known as “Rocky Blue” on Disney Channel’s “Shake it Up,” on Saturday. General admission seating is free with fair admission. Reserved-seat tickets are available through Ticketmaster or in person at the Coliseum Box Office.

It’s a long-standing tradition, way before Arizona became a state. For those who love it and those who have yet to experience it, the Arizona State Fair rolls into town today, kicking off 21 days of amusement rides, bake-offs and lots and lots of food.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security is set to host its annual career expo at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix.

The Arizona State Fair — home to arm-wrestling competitions, fried Oreos and science fairs — opens Thursday at the Arizona State Fairground. From A to Z, here’s what you can eat, do and see.

Despite the persistent heat, it feels like we've made a subtle shift toward fall. Tailgating, crockpot meals, pumpkin lattes and Halloween costumes aren't far away, and neither is the state fair.

Despite the persistent heat, it feels like we've made a subtle shift toward fall. Tailgating, crockpot meals, pumpkin lattes and Halloween costumes aren't far away, and neither is the state fair.

Despite the persistent heat, it feels like we've made a subtle shift toward fall. Tailgating, crockpot meals, pumpkin lattes and Halloween costumes aren't far away, and neither is the state fair.

Despite the persistent heat, it feels like we've made a subtle shift toward fall. Tailgating, crockpot meals, pumpkin lattes and Halloween costumes aren't far away, and neither is the state fair.

Despite the persistent heat, it feels like we've made a subtle shift toward fall. Tailgating, crockpot meals, pumpkin lattes and Halloween costumes aren't far away, and neither is the state fair.

If you think that the Arizona State Fair is just cotton candy and rides, you may want to think again.

Gov. Janet Napolitano promised Wednesday to keep state government offices open and operating Monday even if 100,000 marchers on immigration reform descend on the Capitol.

If you’re an HGTV junkie, you’ll feel right at home at the Maricopa County Home and Landscape Show. The huge event features tons of ideas for landscaping, remodeling, decorating and otherwise making the most of your home. Drew and Jonathan Scott, stars of HGTV's “Property Brothers,” will give talks Saturday and Sunday on home renovations and the real estate market.

Attention bookworms: You can get great deals on more than 500,000 books and related items during the 56th annual VNSA Used Book Sale at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. Sale runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12.

Enjoy all the best fair activities including motorcross racing, live music, giant turkey legs, livestock and animal exhibitors and rides, rides and more rides. Admission is free 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 through Friday, April 12.

Here: Join the 23rd annual Messiah Choir at SMCC

Here: Join the 23rd annual Messiah Choir at SMCC

After Tom Steinhagen spent last weekend “homeless” — living in a car and fasting for 80 hours to raise awareness of homeless veterans, while accepting donations of blue jeans and cash — one might think that he would be taking it easy this weekend.

Cotton candy, corn dogs and funnel cake may be fair staples, but a long list of new foods debuts each year at the Arizona State Fair. This time around, three particular items are generating enough buzz and demand to rise to the top of the culinary crowd, says spokeswoman Kristi Walsh.

Cotton candy, corn dogs and funnel cake may be fair staples, but a long list of new foods debuts each year at the Arizona State Fair. This time around, three particular items are generating enough buzz and demand to rise to the top of the culinary crowd, says spokeswoman Kristi Walsh.

Cotton candy, corn dogs and funnel cake may be fair staples, but a long list of new foods debuts each year at the Arizona State Fair. This time around, three particular items are generating enough buzz and demand to rise to the top of the culinary crowd, says spokeswoman Kristi Walsh.

Workers in purple shirts emblazoned with “Safety First” were putting the final touches Wednesday on the Mega Drop, a 145-foot tall attraction that provides visitors to the Arizona State Fair with the sensations of free fall.

Workers in purple shirts emblazoned with “Safety First” were putting the final touches Wednesday on the Mega Drop, a 145-foot tall attraction that provides visitors to the Arizona State Fair with the sensations of free fall.