As the Douglas County Fair gets into full gear, the fairgrounds will soon flood with people, animals and a number of automobiles. With no admission charge for the fair itself (or parking on the grounds), there’s no reason not to hang out and check out all of the exhibits, says Margaret Kalb, executive secretary of the fair’s board.

But if you don’t have time to hit up everything, here are seven essential things to do at this year’s fair:

Dance to live music

With local bands playing four nights on the main stage on the south side of the fairgrounds, there’s plenty of opportunity to show off some dance skills. SELLOUT is the main attraction, Kalb says, playing high-energy cover songs from the ’60s and beyond at 7 p.m. July 31.

Other bands include Arnie Johnson & The Midnight Special, The Secrets and Spin Down. Go to dgcountyfair.com for the full schedule.

Enter the horseshoe pitching contest

With all the contests going on at the fair, you might as well jump on board and join one. Come one, come all, inexperienced horseshoe pitchers and get ready to learn at 6:30 p.m. July 30. The winner will have the opportunity to win money at the championship tournament, which will be held at the Kansas State Fair. To sign up for the contest, contact Ivan Barnett at 633-8793.

Horseshoes not your thing? There are plenty of other contests to observe or take part in going on at the fair, from dairy goat milking, tractor pulling, hay bale throwing and turtle racing. Go to dgcountyfair.com for the full schedule.

Pet a zebra

At a fair where animals are being shown left and right, it would be cruel not to get a chance to pet at least a few of them.

Head over to the petting zoo and see some exotic birds, a zebra and other animals, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 30 through Aug. 1 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 2 in Building 8 at the fairgrounds. Pony rides will also be available from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Go for a ride

Moore’s Greater Shows Carnival will set up shop from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. July 30 to Aug. 2, featuring big rides for daring souls that seek a major thrill and “kiddie rides” for the young ones.

Kalb says they don’t know which specific rides will be at the fair until they arrive. Each ride will cost a number of tickets, but bracelets for unlimited rides will be available at Family Night from 6 to 10:30 p.m. July 31 and from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 2.

Eat a funnel cake

Carnivals give you the excuse to ditch the diet and dive into a number of deep-fried delectables.

There will be plenty of traditional fair food, Kalb says, with everything from cotton candy, to kettle corn, to freshly squeezed lemonade, as well as lots of barbecue — and mountains of funnel cake topped in more sugar, glazes and whipped topping. The Douglas County Pork Producers will also be dishing out pork burgers and sausage on a stick by the stage area again this year.

Also returning this year at 6 p.m. July 30 in the shelter area is the Chef’s Challenge, where some of Lawrence’s master chefs create dishes using ingredients from Douglas County farms, school gardens and 4-H participants while competing against each other. This year, T.K. Peterson of Merchant’s will defend his title against Rick Martin of Limestone Pizza+Kitchen+Bar and Rafael and Kate Gonzalez of Global Cafe.

Watch lawnmowers destroy each other

Another new event this year for longtime faithful fair attendees, Mowbashers Mower Derby at 7:30 p.m. Saturday is a twist on the ever-popular Demolition Derby.

In the fairground’s outdoor arena, contestants will crash into each other on riding lawn mowers until there is only one brave person remaining with a running mower. Tickets are $5.

Then watch cars destroy each other

The big-boy version of lawnmower destruction.

One of the most popular events at the fair — known to sell out an arena that holds 3,000-plus community members — the Demolition Derby is at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. Tickets are $10.

Watch for the “Dewey Decimator” demo car sponsored by the Lawrence Public Library and Lawrence Magazine. Lawrence teens are invited to paint the car at the newly renovated Lawrence Public Library building, 707 Vermont St., from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday.