The annual San Diego County Fair is upon us again, with its roller coasters, music and beer gardens in all their glory. The fair is the largest in San Diego, attracting more than 1 million people each year.

This year’s fair is loaded with musical talent and entertainment, featuring 10 stages with various types of music for every generation to enjoy. Genres like country, classic rock, modern pop, gospel, blues, reggae and rock/alternative will be featured throughout the course of the fair.

Probably the most exciting will be the Coors Light Rock On Stage, which will highlight regional bands from San Diego and Southern California every night of the fair, with shows beginning at 9 p.m. Bands will range from cover bands like all-girl Iron Maiden cover band The Iron Maidens, to original San Diego artists like Lady Dottie and the Diamonds. It also features the Coors Light Beer Garden for those who get thirsty from watching the bands play.

Returning to the fair is the Summer Concert Series, in which fairgoers can see national acts like Fergie, Weird Al Yankovic, B.B. King and Boston perform. Tickets for these shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the box office located on the fairgrounds.

For those who enjoy the classic sounds of the 1950s and 1960s, the fair has something for you, too. The Solid Gold Series will be held Thursdays on the San Diego Showcase stage, featuring artists like Pat Boone and Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees. Admission to this showcase is free with your ticket to the fair and seating is unreserved, so first come, first served.

Back for its third year is the Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series, which will be held every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and will highlight a broad range of musical tastes from reggae to country and classic rock.

Elijah Emanuel & the Revelations with Island Irie will bring some roots reggae to the festivities July 1. Blood, Sweat, and Tears will be rocking the Chevrolet Paddock Stage on July 2.

In addition to the musical lineup this year, the fair also offers plenty of delicious food, rides for all to enjoy and events like an extreme sports exhibit July 3 featuring a freestyle motocross show. There will also be a Battle of the Bands taking place at the fair June 27 and ending July 4. Applications to enter ended in May, but you can still be a part of the fun by watching the bands give it their all to be crowned the winner.

Fair admission is $12 for adults and $6 for kids 6 and older as well as seniors. Gates open at 10 a.m. daily and close between 10 and 11 p.m. You can park for free in nearby parking lots, with buses and shuttles escorting visitors every 15 minutes or so to the fair. For more information about the San Diego County Fair, visit www.sdfair. com.