The Ohio State Fair is back again with rides, exhibits and entertainment. The fair offers everything from livestock shows to live entertainment, and this year’s new attractions include NBA Jam Session, a basketball carnival, live shark show and Jurassic Journey, an interactive exhibit where fairgoers are surrounded by 30 life-size dinosaur replicas in a prehistoric environment, said Michelle Buemi, public relations coordinator.Other events available are: the Backyard Circus, BMX Racing and the Sports Illustrated Collection, in which fairgoers can leap in the same long jump pit as Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Carl Lewis.”Friday is Buckeye Sports Day, sponsored by 610 WTVN. Archie Griffin, Katie Smith and Pete Rose will be present to sign autographs,” said Jill Schaller, spokeswoman for the fair. “It takes an entire year to put the fair together, we will immediately start analyzing this fair and what we want to do for next year as soon as it is over.”The fair staff attends a trade show every year to look at new, unique exhibits and attractions, Schaller explained.As far as entertainment, a list is acquired of which performers and bands are touring, she said. Routing and availability schedules for appropriate performers are looked when deciding who will be contacted to do a show.”We try to be very diverse, offering country, rock, nostalgia and big band entertainment,” Schaller said.Although the fair tries to attract big names to their stage, they try to keep low cost in mind to give people value for their dollar, she said.”Most of what we offer at the fair is free,” she said.”College people are on a budget, so the fair is a great value, there’s a lot to see and do here,” Buemi said.Upcoming shows include Sale of Champions livestock auction, Aug. 11, Mark Chesnutt, Aug. 12, Mint Condition, Aug. 13. All shows start at 7 p.m. at the Celeste Center and are free with front gate general admission price of $6.Performances that require ticket purchases include, Joe Walsh, Aug. 14 and Tim McGraw and Mindy McCready, Aug. 15. Shows start at 7 p.m. at the Celeste Center and tickets can be purchased at Ticket Master or the Ohio Expo box office for $16-$20. Vince Gill and Bryan White will perform Aug. 17 at the Celeste Center at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $17.