The sights, sounds and smells of festivals and fairs will soon be coming back to the region.

While the area's many fairs and festivals also feature carnival rides, games, arts & crafts booths and food vendors, the one thing they all have in common is live entertainment.

The focus here is simply to whet appetites and preview a few of the fine events planned.

* The Hobart Jaycee Music Fest, June 26 to July 3

The fest, held in the parking lot of Strack & Van Til's each summer at the intersection of Routes 6 & 51, has added a "family section" alongside the beer garden so fans can flock with kids in tow to see top regional bands.

This year's entertainment: Blues rockers C-4 and Brimstone (June 26); classic rock by Shuddup & Drive and Smokehouse Trio follows the annual Motorcycle Poker Run (June 27); party rock faves The Spazmatics with The Jamison-Roberts Band (June 28); classic rock by Mr. Funnyman and The Mob (June 29); Marrakesh Express (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute) and Eaten Alive (June 30); a disco revue by Libido Funk Circus with Clear Fog (July 1); pop/rock band The Crawpuppies host its CD release party with Emisis (July 2); and Pink Floyd tribute group Echoes of Pompeii close out the fest with Americana group Buck Daddy (July 4) Cover charges are $5 (ages 13 and older) with 12 and younger free with paid adult. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. nightly. FYI: hobartjaycee.com

* St. Thomas Fun Days, Wednesday to June 28

St. Thomas Moore Parish, 8501 Calumet Ave., Munster, again presents its "Fun Days." Carnival rides, food vendor court, bingo and beer garden with a variety of live regional bands such as The New Invaders, The Relics, History's End and Middle of the Road. FYI: (219) 836-8610

* Celebrate Schererville, Wednesday to June 28

Presented in Redar Park, at Austin Avenue and Gregory Street, the event features carnival rides and all the usual festival fare. A rockin' beer garden will include a variety of area bands and a special "Salute to the Beatles" June 26. FYI: (219) 865-5530

* Cedar Lake Summer Fest, July 2 to 5

This annual fest has a small carnival, lots of food vendors, a covered beer garden and live regional entertainment all presented a stone's throw from the banks of Cedar Lake, where fireworks over the lake and a laser light show have become traditions.

Music at this year's event includes: the classic rock of Shuddup & Drive and Midnight Special (7/2); the country twang of Charissa & Auburn Sky Band (Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus tribute), Shannon Raye & Diamondback Band and Bernie Glim & Country Roads Band (7/3); classic rock by Fox (7/4); with rock band The Bones and Marrakesh Express closing things out on 7/5). FYI: cedarlakesummerfest.com

* The Festival of the Lakes, July 15 to 19

Once again Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. and the City of Hammond offer a buffet of musical talent at the annual "Festival Of The Lakes." Along with carnival rides and numerous food vendors, there's a delightful mix of regional and national music groups presented nightly at 7 p.m. Free on the main stage.

'Motown Night" on July 15 features Boyz II Men with local group Together. Next up is "Alt-Rock Night" with a double bill of national acts, The Gin Blossoms and The Spin Doctors July 16. Country fans get superstar performer Randy Travis July 17 plus "Nashville Star" finalist Nicole Jamrose. "Rock Night" on July 18 finds The Black Crowes flying in to caw out their hits with support by Hammond's own History's End, followed by a fireworks display.

Wrapping up July 19 is "Latin Night" headlined by Los Lonely Boys with region group Mike Roman & The Telstars. FYI: festivalofthelakes.com

* Porter County Fair, July 23 to Aug. 2

The 159th Annual Porter County Fair again features plenty of mud-flinging and dust-raising grandstand fun with an IRPA Rodeo (July 27, 28), Hog Wrestling Tournament (July 29), Monster Truck Show (July 30), N.T.P.A. Truck Pull (July 31), Demolition Derby (Aug. 1), and Combine Demolition Derby (Aug.2).

Once again a variety of top shelf national entertainment has been booked by the fair's talent buyer Del Johnson. The fest opens with "Disney's High School Musical: Summer Celebration," a revue of songs from all three "High School Musical" movies.

A night of Christian Alternative Pop follows July 24 with Switchfoot, Fireflight and Starside; classic rockers get a double bill of John Kay & Steppenwolf and Blue Oyster Cult July 25; while country music fans get the triple bill of Gary Allen, Craig Morgan and Joey & Rory July 26. Other live entertainment will be presented daily on smaller stages as well. FYI: portercofair.org.

* Lake County Fair, Aug. 6 to 16

Crown Point's Lake County Fair also features a variety of motor sports events and horse shows.

Live music also has a home in the grandstands, beginning August 7 with county music star Jason Michael Carroll and local band High Noon. On August 8, it's "Latino Fiesta Day" featuring regional showband Los Cordoba and national group Tierra. Former "Nashville Star" finalist Nicole Jamrose headlines Aug. 9 with bluegrass group Flintlock. And Aug. 11, Radio One Communications presents "A Salute To America's Heroes" anchored by a live music set by Bernie Glim & The Country Roads Band and concluding with fireworks.

Radio One Free Entertainment Tent will feature: AC/DC tribute Bonfire (Aug. 8); The Colgate Country Showdown National Talent Competition (Aug. 9 and Aug. 16); Charlie Blum & The Star Orchestra (Aug. 10); Latin show band Los Cordoba (Aug. 13); Ozzy/Black Sabbath tribute Blizzard of Ozz and The Kevin M. Buck Band (Aug. 14); and "The Battle of the Midway" teen band battle (Aug. 15) Lake County Fair also has the free acoustic "Heritage Americana Stage," with a variety of bluegrass and folk artists. FYI: lake-county-fair.com

* Midwest Zest Fest, Sept. 11 to 13

This weekend event presented by Highland Chamber of Commerce in Main Square Park, 3001 Ridge Road, is generally the swan song event of summer and concludes the fest/ fair season nicely. Zest Fest is family friendly with plenty of food and craft vendors, carnival rides and plenty of live local entertainment presented on the Main Square Gazebo. One of the highlights is the annual "Battle Of The Square," featuring eight teen bands competing for a prize package valued at $1,000. FYI: midwestzestfest.com or (219) 923-3666