MONROE — The Evergreen State Fair is set to open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, showcasing arts and agriculture from around Snohomish County.

A carnival, food vendors and entertainers are also lined up for the event that runs through Labor Day. Some 340,000 people are expected to visit the fairgrounds along U.S. 2 in the next 12 days.

“We throw the county’s biggest party,” Fairgrounds Manager Hal Gausman said in an email.

Last year, he said, the fair hosted up to 40,000 people a day. That’s more than double Monroe’s population.

Snohomish County spends about $2.5 million to put on the annual event. Admission costs $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and youth. Those age 5 and younger and 90 and older get in free.

The fair is also running deals with free or reduced admission prices during certain hours on several days. On Thursday, people get in for free before 1 p.m.

Butler Amusements is returning with carnival rides this year. New for the 2014 fair is the “Freak Out.” It swings riders up to 40 feet over the midway as their seats rotate. The carnival is also expected to feature a high-speed roller coaster called the “Zillerator.”

Troy Kleine, the fair’s marketing specialist, said a few new food venders have been added to the lineup this year, including one selling wood-fired pizza and another with gluten-free eats. Fair favorites such as elephant ears kettle corn, scones and cheese curds also will be available.

“My tag line is, ‘all your favorite fair food and fun,’” he said.

Concerts and comedians are part of the entertainment at the Grandstand. The lineup includes big names such as Bill Cosby, The Charlie Daniels Band, Chris Young, the Newsboys and Emblem3. The fair also has two stages that feature free live music and entertainment throughout each day.

The Evergreen Speedway is scheduled to have stock car races, supercross events and a demolition derby during the fair.

There also will be rodeo and equestrian events at the Arena.

FFA and 4-H members plan to showcase cattle, dogs, rabbits, goats, sheep and llamas. They’ll also have science, photography and home economics exhibits.

The activities are scheduled until 7 p.m. on Sept. 1. The schedule and ticket prices can be found at evergreenfair.org or by calling a 24-hour information line at 306-805-6700.

Web: evergreenfair.org

24-hour hotline: 360-805-6700

Tickets

Adults, ages 16 to 61: $10

Senior citizens, 62-89: $7

90 and older: free

Youth, ages 6-15: $7

Children 5 and under: free

Grandstand, carnival, rodeo and speedway tickets are sold separately at the box office and include fair admission.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on closing day.

Butler Amusements carnival: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on closing day.

Parking: $10 per entry.

Directions

The Evergreen State Fairgrounds are at 14405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe, 14 miles east of Everett on U.S. 2 and about 30 miles northeast of Seattle via I-405 and Highway 522.

Community Transit routes 270 and 275 will serve the fair Monday through Saturday. Buses are scheduled to run every 30 minutes on weekday mornings and evenings, with hourly service in the middle of the day. There is no service on Sundays or Labor Day. For times, go to communitytransit.org.

Park free at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave., and at the Snohomish, Sultan and Gold Bar park-and-ride lots. Buses will only pick up passengers at the Monroe park-and-ride before 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. At other times, buses are scheduled to stop at the fairgrounds’ west entrance.

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.