The Durham Fair Is Underway!

The  kicks off today, marking the start of the state's largest agricultural fair, which also happens to be the country's largest all-volunteer operated fair.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the four-day fair, which features more than 12,000 exhibits, hundreds of animals, a variety of fair foods and top notch entertainment.

"I think it's because we have so much to offer," says Karin Thody, Secretary of the Durham Fair Association, about the popularity of the fair.

Thody is one of hundreds of volunteers that spend countless hours getting the fairgrounds ready for the crowds of fairgoers.

"Quality animals, quality exhibits. It's a local fair, but not a local fair," Thody says. "The vast variety of different foods we have here. There's something here for everybody's palate."

There's also something for everyone on the entertainment schedule.

"Last year when we had REO Speedwagon here, you couldn't even get near this place. I always tell people to get here early in the day," explains Thody, who says she's often asked how much the concert tickets cost.

"It comes with the price of admission," she says with a smile.

The highlight of this year's entertainment schedule is the Grammy Award-winning group Blues Traveler, who will take the Main Stage Saturday night at 7 p.m.

KC and the Sunshine Band headlines the Main Stage on Friday night at 7 p.m. and country duo Steel Magnolia will perform Sunday at 3 p.m.

There's a full complement of local acts performing on the Green stage and Center stage throughout the weekend as well. In addition, the Durham Fair Talent show will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m.

(For a full schedule of events click here.)

To get to the Durham Fair, visitors must catch a shuttle bus at any one of three designated parking lots:

• Strickland Farm in Middlefield
• Wimler Farm in Durham
• Greenbackers Farm in Durham
• Handicapped parking is available at Strong School on Thursday and at Coginchaug Regional High School Fri.-Sun.

Parking costs $5 per day/single entry or $20 for unlimited entry. Parking lots open roughly an hour before the fair opens.

Ticket prices range, but the Durham Fair is free to anyone 11 years old or younger.

For ticket prices to the Durham Fair click here.