Don't say "pass the turkey" at this year's Arizona State Fair or you may ruffle some feathers.

Perhaps they're a little nervous with the upcoming holiday season or maybe it's their competitive nature, but these fair feathered fowl will be on the run at this year's Fair beginning October 23.

Fairgoers can flock to the racing turkeys or just gobble up some of the unique, flavorful Fair foods (including...shhh...turkey legs.)

Plenty of Fair favorites will be on hand as well, including animals, rides, exhibits, family attractions and contests for everyone-turkey gobbling, eating, cooking, and arm wrestling.

The Concert Series in the Coliseum features a mix of music and comedy with such stars as Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry, Alice Cooper, Howie Mandel, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Old School Jam, Sugarland and their special guests, Little Big Town.

Other entertainment viewing options include bull riding, rodeo and motorized events in the Grandstand Arena, and Sale of Champions supported by Ford, an auction benefiting Arizona youth and their animals.

This year's Fair continues to make fun affordable by offering special discounts to Fairgoers, including KOOL Dollar Day, $1 admission until 7:00 p.m. on Opening Day, October 12. Supercuts Unlimited Ride Wristband Days supported by Power 98.3 will return on Oct. 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30, and November 1 and 4.

Also returning by popular demand, the ABC15 Read & Ride Program, will continue to promote literacy by encouraging children ages 5-14 to read by rewarding them with Fair ride passes.

Riding a wave of success over the past six years, the program motivated approximately 5,709 children to read 17,127 books in order to earn as many ride passes during the 2006 Fair. As a result, over 151,200 ride passes donated by Ray Cammack Shows were distributed at the annual Fair to Arizona children since the program's debut in 2000. A tradition in the state for more than 120 years, the Arizona State Fair consistently supplies a healthy dose of family entertainment, homespun creations, and attractions for all ages and interests. It continues to attract record numbers each year to its location at 19 th Avenue and McDowell Road, including last year's record attendance of 1,303,690. Mark your calendar for the Fair's 21-day run from October 12 through November 4 (closed Mondays.)

NEW ATTRACTIONS and FAVORITE TRADITIONS:

€ Uncle Kunkle's Farm - Kids can learn to plow, plant and tend to the chickens in this 19,000 sq ft educational exhibit featuring a day in the life of a farmer. The experience includes a fun mini tractor ride, orange picking, harvesting vegetables, collecting eggs and "milking" a cow.

€ Kid Zone Jungle Safari - Bring out your inner-adventurer in the newly designed Kid Zone featuring a variety of fun and educational activities for all ages, including bracelet-making, button-making, artifact digging, gym mat mayhem, PlasmaCar rides, and youth crafts.

€ Mad Science Newton's Revenge 2 - The spectacular live stage show that awakens Sir Isaac Newton's brain after 300 years of sleep.

€ Marie Callender's Pie Eating Contests -- Oct. 20, 21, 27, & 28, and Nov. 3 & 4 - A Fair tradition open to all ages and appetites! € Kitchen Craft Mystery Cookoff - on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m., 15 contestants get 30 minutes show off their culinary skills and cook up a storm using a bag of mystery ingredients. € Bison Ranch Oct. 30-Nov. 4 in the Cattle Barn. You won't want to miss their daily parade of Percheron horses through the fairgrounds.

€ Wild West Turkey Stampede Oct. 23-28 & Oct.30-Nov. 4 in the Grandstand Arena - Fairgoers are sure to flock to see these fascinating fowl! The Wild West Turkey Stampede combines the thrill of live racing and competitive rodeo with the barnyard's natural comedian: the turkey.

€ Kodak Inspiration Tour - Oct. 19- Nov. 4 - In the 4,000 sq foot Kodak Inspiration Pavilion, fairgoers can learn how to do more with their digital pictures. Guests also receive free photos and frames - a great opportunity for a family Fair photo.

€ Build-A-Bear Workshop on Tour - Oct. 19 - Oct. 28 The teddies are traveling... Build-A-Bear Workshop(r) On Tour is rolling into the Arizona State Fair! Come enjoy the furry fun of making your own stuffed animal at this unique store on wheels!" Visit www.buildabear.com for a complete tour schedule.

€ Sale of Champions Supported by Ford -- On Sunday, Oct 21 at 6:30 pm, children ages 9 to 19 auction off their prize-winning animals and learn about the business of agriculture and livestock. Kids from the 2006 auction earned a total of $57,750.

€ Health Net Senior Day -- Celebrate Arizona's seniors and their special talents, contributions, and unique flare! La Grande Wheel and

Carousel rides are free to Seniors on Wed., Oct. 24.

€ Armed Forces Day Supported by Coca-Cola Zero - Active military personnel and their families can enjoy the Fair for Free on Friday, Nov. 2 by entering through Encanto admission gate with their valid military ID.

€ Arizona Heritage Weekend - Oct. 13-14, this weekend celebrates Native American and Hispanic cultures with special stage performances in the Arizona Lottery Backyard. € Macy's Petting Zoo - A chance for animal lovers of all ages to pet, feed, and learn about many different kinds of animals. € Ghirardelli Chocolate Championship - Chocolate and the Fair - what a great combo! - taste it Saturday, Oct 13. at 2pm in the Home Arts Building.

€ The Arizona Lottery Backyard - The perfect place to eat, drink, relax in the shade and enjoy a variety of entertainment options.

€ The United States Armwrestling Championships - Get ready for the 5th annual standing-room only event on Saturday, October 20 in the Arizona Lottery Backyard. This National event is open to men and women, with national rankings given to division winners and is FREE with Fair admission. € Budweiser Entertainment Pavilion - Professional entertainers will amaze and amuse you on this outdoor professional stage.

€ Turkey Gobbling Contest - Oct. 20, 4:30 p.m. in the Agriculture Center. Watch owners as they convince their turkeys to gobble. € Grandstand Events: All Indian Rodeo (Oct. 12 & 13), High School Rodeo (Oct. 14), The PBR (Professional Bull Riding) Enterprise Tour (Oct. 24), Figure 8 Racing (Oct. 26-28), and Demolition Derby (Nov. 2-4).

€ Contests, Contests, Contests! - Competition is the name of the game at the Fair. Kids and Adults vie for top prizes and blue ribbons in a plethora of contests.

€ New Rides! - The thrills continue with a number of new rides: Kiddieland Rides - Airport, Aladdin, Barnyard Express, Pirates, Pirates Island, and Traffic Jam. Adult Rides - Cyclone, Cliffhanger, Remix, The Speed, and The Surf Shack.

€ CBS 5 Before 5 - On Fridays, Oct. 19, 26, and Nov. 2, adult admission is just $5 before 5pm. € Governor's Office of Highway Safety Public Safety Days - On Oct. 13-14, more than 30 statewide safety organizations share their tips to make home, vehicle and life more secure. Kids get a free Buckles the Seat Belt Bear.

€ Governor's Office of Highway Safety Fire & Rescue Day - On Oct. 28, kids can learn about fire and rescue techniques, as well as ways to stay safe and prevent fires. SOUNDS OF MUSIC: The 2007 Concert Series features an impressive line-up of top entertainers performing at the Coliseum throughout the Fair.

Additional acts are still being booked to complete the Fair schedule. Confirmed acts are as follows:

Check www.azstatefair.com for the latest information.