BLOOMINGTON - The McLean County Fair will kick off its 10th year at the Interstate Center on Wednesday with some old favorites and a lot of new surprises - including sharks. | Video

The Live Shark Encounter is a traveling exhibit of two nurse and two lemon sharks in a 5,000-gallon saltwater tank. There will be three shows daily and four on Saturday and Sunday, but the sharks will be on display all day.

"We'll talk about the sharks and get in and feed them," said Colby Cheney, who will dive into the tank during the show.

The fair, which will run through Sunday, offers a lot of new attractions, said fair manager Mike Swartz.

"Many on-grounds entertainment acts were replaced this year," he said. "Rotating entertainment provides a variety of fun activities for fair attendees."

Another first for the fair, the McLean County Idol contest, modeled after television's "American Idol," will showcase 40 local singers as they vie for the $2,700 prize. There were four pre-qualifying rounds in July, but the last eight qualifiers will be chosen at random at 6 p.m. Thursday. The final round will begin at 9 p.m.

Swartz said he was very impressed with the contestants so far.

"Choosing a winner will be very hard," he said.

Country artist Mark Wills will be entertaining at the grandstand for a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday. His career has spanned the last decade, and he is known for his hit, "19-Something."

On Sunday night, three Hispanic musical acts will perform: Julian Garza, Los Cadetes and Chepe y Su Grupo Linze. The concert will start at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the event cost $15 for adults and $10 for children in advance at the Interstate Center box office. Prices will be $5 higher at the grandstand the night of the show.

This year's community-service project will be different too.

Last year, youths at the fair built 675 birdhouses and 45 doghouses that were sent to the Gulf Coast, where wildlife and family pets were left homeless amid the devastation of 2005's Hurricane Katrina. This year, birdhouses will be built for local residents, and duck houses will be built for migratory wood ducks in Louisiana.

"This year we're bringing (the project) closer to home," Swartz said.

Expect hot weather

All of the fair's activities should take place under sunny skies, even if it will be a little warm. The forecast for Wednesday through Sunday calls for sunny weather and high temperatures in the lower 90s.

"It will be warm, but hopefully the low humidity with keep the heat index down," said Mike Hardiman, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Lincoln.

Swartz said that while it may be hot, more than half of the space at the Interstate Center is indoors and air conditioned.

"Everyone can come for the entertainment and carnival rides without being stressed by the heat," he said.

Last year, an estimated 60,000 people attended the fair. Swartz said he expects even more visitors this year if the weather is nice.

"Across the country, there are a large number of county fairs declining. We're actually growing," Swartz said.

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Fair amount of fun

What: McLean County Fair

When: Wednesday through Sunday

Where: Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St., Bloomington

Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 6. Five-day passes cost $6 for children and $10 for adults. See each day below for daily admission specials.