In the category of hallowed Hoosier events, the Indiana State Fair holds its own with auto races, college hoops tournaments and pro football games. Hundreds of thousands of guests pass through the State Fair gates each year in search of fun, food and festivities.

This year marks the last 12-day run for the Fair, which expands to a mind-boggling 17-day schedule in 2009. So, as you take in the nation's sixth-oldest state fair, celebrate the dozen days in a dozen different ways:

1. The Trees.

The humble tree gets its day in the spotlight, thanks to the fair's Year of Trees theme. Why trees? "The hardwood industry just has so much going on," says Andy Klotz, the fairground's media relations manager, noting that the industry provides 130,000 jobs and has a $17 billion economic impact on the state.

A newly constructed covered bridge, between the Ag/Hort Building and the 4-H Education Complex, serves as the centerpiece of the celebration. Elsewhere on the grounds, 25 indigenous Indiana trees form a trail of sorts for visitors.

Three times a day (11.a.m. and 1:30. and 4.p.m.), the Olympics of the Forest Lumberjack Show features log-rolling, crosscut-sawing and ax-throwing skills in Celebration Park.

2. The Food.

Elephant ears. Lemon shake-ups. Deep-fried everything. Fair food is an attraction in itself. This year, Carmel eatery Mudbugs Cajun Cafe created the winning Indiana State Fair "signature food" -- deep-fried Bananas Foster Cheesecake on a Stick.

3. The Big Concerts.

It's no surprise country-music fans crave the annual State Fair lineup. This year's Grandstand shows include crooners Carrie Underwood (Aug. 8, with Keith Anderson), Sugarland (Aug. 12, with Joe Nichols) and Jessica Simpson (yep, she's gone country; Aug. 7). Rockers Daughtry and the Virgin Millionaires take the stage Aug. 9. The Backstreet Boys (or are they now the Backstreet Men?) welcome screaming fans on Aug. 10, and the preteen set celebrates the arrival of High School Musical heartthrob Corbin Bleu on Aug. 11.

Want something more laid-back? Garrison Keillor brings his "Prairie Home Companion -- The Rhubarb Tour" to the Grandstand Aug. 12, along with special guest, singer Suzy Bogguss.

4. The Free Shows.

A concert ticket isn't in your budget? Head over to the WFMS Free Stage, an often-unheralded fair staple. The list of former Free Stage artists is a veritable who's who of country music, including Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley.

This year, check out Mark Chesnutt (Aug. 7), Bucky Covington (Aug. 8), Heidi Newfield (Aug. 11), Jimmy Wayne (Aug. 13) and Andy Griggs (Aug. 15), among others.

Other Free Stage events include an Indiana fiddle contest (Aug. 9), Hispanic/Latino Music Day (Aug. 10), Contemporary Christian Music Day (Aug. 10) and Pepsi Gospel Music Day (Aug. 17).

5. The Quirky Shows.

It just wouldn't be the State Fair without the occasional oddball performance. Take, for example, the Wacky Wheeler, who'll be at the Fair Aug. 12-17. With a resume sporting stints as a skateboarder, an inline-skating racer and a trapeze artist, Rob Summerbell now performs as Melvin -- clad in oversize ears and mismatched, colorful clothing -- doing acrobatic feats atop a giant rolling wheel.

6. The Size Obsession.

Just how popular is the World's Largest Male Hog? Lines to see the big guy rival those of popular midway rides -- despite the fact that the star of the show is invariably napping away, oblivious to the attention.

Over in the Ag/Hort building, you'll find such oddities as the Giant Pumpkin contest winner, the tallest sunflower and the largest watermelon.

7. The Exotic Animals.

For some urban dwellers, cows and pigs are novel enough. But the fair also highlights its share of more unusual fauna. New are the Marcan Tigers of India, featuring "traveling ambassadors" from the Marcan Tiger Preserve in Florida.

In the Department of Natural Resources area, Goat Mountain showcases a variety of sizes and breeds in an open-air play area. And in the Cattle Barn, you may see llamas, alpacas and Boer and pygmy goats.

8. The Kid Stuff.

Children get star treatment, with an entire area -- the Riley Fun Park -- and a day (Kids' Day, Aug. 11) devoted to them. One of the favorites among 3- to 10-year-olds is Little Hands on the Farm, where kids can "gather eggs, feed the pigs, brush the sheep, milk the cow," Klotz says.

Also on the greatest-hits list: the DNR Fishin' Pond, where youngsters sign up for a brief fishing lesson, followed by a supervised session in a 312,000-gallon, 8,340-square-foot pond.

New this year is the Indiana State Fair Wonder Trail. Families register at one of three fair locations and receive their tools: a 3-D map, a magnifying glass and a souvenir lanyard.

9. The Farm Equipment.

Adults interested in farming needn't feel left out just because they're too old for Little Hands on the Farm. The new Mac Reynolds Barn on the north side of the grounds houses tractors and other farm machinery, while Pioneer Village displays antique tractors.

The Normandy Barn, a well-known green-roofed structure, has moved from the south to the north side of the grounds and now houses a 2,500-square-foot display on contemporary agriculture, from environmental issues to modern technology.

10. The Sports.

Love high-school sports? Head to the Grand Hall for Indiana's Got Game!, a new exhibit dedicated to hoops, hockey, football, baseball and other competitive pursuits. Displays trace the sports' Hoosier histories, interactive areas let kids get into the action, and broadcasts of classic championship games re-create some of the state's greatest athletic moments. If you're lucky, you might catch an appearance by members of the nearly mythical Milan championship basketball team.

If racing's more your speed, head to the Grandstand for free harness racing Aug. 14-16. Or catch the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Experience Aug. 6-10.

11. The One-Day Bonanzas.

Another day, another celebration. On opening day (Aug. 6), dozens of hot-air balloons drift upward at dawn during the annual Balloon Race. Early risers motor in for the World's Largest Drive-Thru Breakfast on Aug. 8. Farmers' Day (Aug. 13) kicks off with a parade, followed by contests such as cricket-spitting and watermelon-seed-spitting. And current and former members of the military receive free admission with military ID on Armed Forces and Veterans Day (Aug. 17).

12. The Rides.

Whether you're looking for thrills, chills or even a touch of romance, the State Fair's midway delivers. For thrill-seekers, there's the Fire Ball, which swings, spins 360 degrees and reaches a height of 65 feet -- or the Ring of Fire, a looping train tossing you upside down at 60 feet.

Couples can take their love skyward on the 85-foot Giant for a bird's-eye view of the Circle City. Or heed the advice of ride provider North American Midway Entertainment and head for the Sizzler, billed as "a great icebreaker ..... as you get squished up nice and close."

- By Julie Cope Saetre / Star correspondent

The Indiana State Fair

When: Aug. 6-17.

Where: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.

Hours: Grounds open Sunday through Thursday, 8.a.m. to 11.p.m.; Friday, 8.a.m. to midnight; Saturday, 8.a.m. to 12:30.a.m. (Fair opens at 6.a.m. on Aug. 6 only.) Individual exhibit and pavilion hours vary.

Admission: $8; children age 5 and younger are free.

For more information: For details on admission and Grandstand concert tickets, call the Indiana State Fairgrounds box office at (317) 927-1482. For general fair information, visit www.in.gov/statefair/fair