The 85th Annual Southwest Florida and Lee County is coming to town this weekend, starting Friday, Feb. 27 and running through Sunday, March 8 at the Lee Civic Center.

It’s one of the area’s biggest events of the year, with all the music, rides, food and traditional fair fun that is the county fair. But this year, local talent and several special events were built in to reflect the state of the economy.

Concerning local talent, you can see a lot of your hometown favorites perform. “We are using local a lot of local talent this year,” said Alta Mosley, general manager of the Southwest Florida Fair. “Ronnie Morgan will be there, along with Brooke Huffmaster, Bill Gouley, the Golden Road Quartet and we’re going to have Robert Stowell, Chris McAurthur and The

Milestone Band,” she said.

There will be national acts as well. “The Doo Wah Riders will be the featured musical entertainer,” Mosley said. “They’ll be with us for 10 days.”

The Doo Wah Riders have been making music for more than 20 years. It’s a country band with a unique, original sound. They will be playing daily on the Main Stage.

For a sample of their style, you can visit them at thedoowahriders.com.

According to organizers, entertainers Kandu and Jill the Music Lady create a show like no other, incorporating music, sound effects, sight gags,

slapstick comedy and audience participation. They will be featured in daily shows.

There will also be a musical event featuring three area churches.

“On Monday, March 2 we will have a an old-time Gospel singing night. We have three churches – Grace Methodist Church/ East Campus, Faith Assembly of God from off Bayshore Road and New Life Testament Church from Lehigh Acres.

Each one of them is brining their chorale group and several are bringing their bands. That will be the entertainment on the main stage on Monday

night,” she said.

Also sure to entertain is something new to the fair this year – the Live Shark Encounter. Mosely said she saw the act at the State Fair in Tampa

recently, and called it a “show stopper.”

There’s also a new ride this year – the Sky Flier. “It’s a 110-seat attraction,” said Mosley. “It swings then telescopes up and swings all the way around.”

There will be a clogging competition and Irish Step Dancers as well.

“And of course we’ve got the traditionals – the petting farm you can?t do without – and everybody loves the pig races,” she said.

In response to tough economic times, two events have been added to the fair.

“On Monday, March 2, we have a special night. it’s the Harry Chapin Food Bank Night. Everybody that brings two cans of food will receive a free gate

admission pass for that night,” said Mosely.

“The economy is tough, and the food banks help a lot of people. We thought it would be a good partnership for those who come to the fair. I always

tell people the fair is a showcase for the community, and this is a good opportunity to show the kindness of our community. We’re also going to take the net proceeds from the gate admission that night and make that a donation Harry Chapin as well,” she said.

For families that may have seen some economic hard times but don’t want to miss the fair fun, Wednesday, March 4 is Family Night with two for one

admission.

Mosely said that for those who want the latest on the fair to check the Civic Center Web site. “We’ve been constantly updating it,” she said. The

site is leeciviccenter.com.

Adult admission is $6 for adults, children $3 at the gate an under age five free.

Lee Civic Center is located at 11831 Bayshore Road. For information call 543-8368. To order tickets, call 543-7469 or go to leeciviccenter.com.