Highlights at the fair today — and what’s coming up tomorrow. Find a complete schedule at thestate.com/statefair.

The 2012 State Fair runs through Oct. 21.

General information

Admission: $10 ages 6-54, $7 ages 55 and older, $2 ages 2-5, free for those younger than 2. After 5 p.m., those younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian at least 21 years old. No admission after 10 p.m. daily.

Parking: Free in the fairgrounds parking lot.

Daily gate promotion: Free admission for active and retired military and their dependents (with proper identification) and all Girls Scouts wearing the official Girl Scout tunic, sash or vest and membership pin.

Today

Hours: Gates open at 10 a.m., buildings 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Midway hours 11 a.m.-midnight.

Lunch at the fair: Between noon-2 p.m., pay $5 at the gate and get a ticket to be exchanged for $5 back when you exit the fair by 2 p.m.

Rides: Pay-one-price ride day

Grandstand entertainment: No show tonight

Friday

Hours: Gates open at 10 a.m., buildings 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Midway hours 11 a.m.-midnight

Lunch at the fair: Between noon-2 p.m., pay $5 at the gate and get a ticket to be exchanged for $5 back when you exit the fair by 2 p.m.

Rides: Pay-one-price ride day

Grandstand entertainment: Newsboys with Building 429, 7 p.m., $20

Grandstand tickets

Tickets to Grandstand shows are available at the Grandstand ticket booth from 5:30-7 p.m. each show day except Oct. 21, when they will be on sale from 4:30-6 p.m. Grandstand tickets also can be purchased online at scstatefair.org, and tickets purchased online include fair admission.

A gift to the senses

Enjoy the beauty of flowers, the sound of water, the colors of the rainbow and the art of a “One-eared cow” as the Ellison Building is transformed into the beauty of the four seasons. It’s where you’ll also find this year’s Sand Sculpture, a daily work of art in progress.

Compiled by Bertram Rantin