The next 10 days and nights will rock, roll, twang and bang in Valparaiso as top-notch live entertainment returns to Porter County's fairgrounds on a series of stages, along with Grandstand events such as Xtreme Motocross, crushing demo derbies, rodeos and the dazzling lights of a midway chock full of carnival rides.

The giant Ferris wheel will serve as a beacon to those traveling down Route 49, and the aroma of popping corn, cotton candy, deep-fried Twinkies and other offerings from dozens of food vendors surely will pull folks in for the 158th Porter County Fair.

But be warned to allow extra time to get to the grounds, since there are considerable road repairs being made to Route 49, including ramp closures at U.S. 30.

Porter County Fair officials have been working with authorities to create alternate traffic routes and options. Changeable message boards will aid in directing fair traffic. FYI: www.portercofair.org.

This year looks to be one of the finest yet. Fair Manager Lonnie Steel said new asphalt has been added to the carnival area, making it more spacious. The added space means more rides by the North American Midway Entertainment Group.

A visit to the expansive 4-H area will display swine, sheep, goats, cows and horses, along with assorted 4-H crafters and exhibits.

Check the Porter County Fair Web site at www.portercofair.org for a detailed list of the fun 4-H activities and judging, such as the rabbit, cat and draft horse shows during the weekend.

In addition to the rides and food, the top-shelf national entertainers presented over the years really make Porter County one of the highlights of region summers.

For nearly a quarter century, talent buyer Del Johnson has worked tirelessly to create those great grandstand shows.

Country remains a strong attraction. Kicking off this year's Grandstand entertainment will be country hit-maker Gretchen Wilson, a 35-year-old native of Pocahontas, Ill.

Wilson has racked up a string of radio hits since her break out Number 1 single, "Redneck Woman," including "Here For The Party," "All Jacked Up," "Come To Bed," "One Of The Boys" and her latest, "Don't Do Me No Good."

"One thing I want to say to the fans is 'Thank you so much for being there and being so crazy night after night at the shows. Thanks for supporting us and coming out for us and having fun with us.' "

Following Wilson on Saturday will be a matinee show by the popular children entertainers, The Doodlebops, and the equally high-energy and outrageous KC & The Sunshine Band, with an opening set by fellow disco survivors Sister Sledge.

Josh Turner and Kellie Pickler bring country back to the main stage on Sunday, followed by the double-barrel rock assault of Blues Traveler and Collective Soul.

Blues Traveler, which has sold 10 million records and can boast of having six gold and platinum albums, will showcase songs from its tasty new Verve Forecast CD release, "North Hollywood Shootout," produced by David Bianco (Tom Petty, Ozzy Osbourne).

"This lineup (John Popper, Chan Kinchla, Brendan Hill, Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson) has been together now for eight years," said Blues Traveler guitarist Chan Kinchla.

"It's funny, but right now the band is feeling a lot like it did in the early days, when we were just playing for the sake of playing, and we were hitting all cylinders. The shows have been really kicking, and the new songs have been going over great."

Grandstand concerts require paid tickets, but there is plenty of free live entertainment in the Radio One Entertainment Tent.

Charlie Blum & The Star Orchestra will perform big-band classics on Tuesday; Los Cordobas will showcase Latin dance music on July 25; and plenty of homespun country music will be featured Sunday during the annual "Colgate Country Showdown" talent competition, plus the concert on July 26 by the popular regional act, Shannon Raye & The Diamond Back Band.

Indiana 105's "Dawn Patrol" morning show host Steve Zana expects a lot of people to come out to the "Showdown," because they want to catch a glimpse at a rising star.

Closing things out in the Radio One Tent with a bang is the much-anticipated reunion concert by region rock icons Deep River Band, with all five founding members intact.

"It's the exact same band people used to come and see back in the 1970s and 1980s, only we're all a lot older," laughed DRB drummer Ray Edmaiston.

"Well be doing all the songs the fans remember from our (1980) album ("Rocks"), along with a few covers and a couple of (original) songs that we've done in other bands over the years," said DRB guitarist Bob Barthel about what fans can expect to hear and see.

Other music-related activities include the "Guitar Hero" contest on Monday (12-4:30 p.m.) and the "Karaoke Contest" on Thursday (3:30-7 p.m.), both in the Radio One Tent.

Since there is way more going on at Porter County Fair than space here allows for, check out the complete day-to-day schedules posted at www.portercofair.org.