In its 151st year the SEMO District Fair will pin its entertainment hopes on a country music legend and two former "American Idol" contestants.

Organizers announced the grandstand entertainment line-up Thursday.

The entertainment will start on Sept. 9 with Outlaw Tractor and Truck Pulling, which will be expanded to two nights this year with another event on Sept. 11. On Sept. 12, the fair will hold the Dual Demo Derby.

Musical entertainment will begin Sept. 13 with the sixth year of the Heartland Idol competition.

On Sept. 14, legendary country performer Ronnie Milsap will take the stage, followed by contemporary country star and former "American Idol" contestant Josh Gracin on Sept. 15 and wrapping up with another former "Idol" contestant, Bo Bice, on the final night of the fair, Sept. 16.

Milsap has 40 No. 1 singles. Among them are "Stranger in My House," "Livin' on Love" and his remake of "In the Still of the Night."

Bice gained fame from his performances on "American Idol" last season and followed that success with the release of his debut album, "The Real Thing," last December. He scored a No. 1 single in January with his recording of "In Your Heaven."

Gracin is a former Marine who appeared on season two of "Idol" and launched a country music career with his self-titled debut album in 2004. The album contained three top-five country singles, including the No. 1 hit "Nothing to Lose." His latest song is called "Favorite State of Mind."

Fair board president Pete Poe said the mix of a country legend in Milsap, a rocker in Bice and an up-and-comer in Gracin should give people of different ages and interests plenty of options for entertainment.

"I think they'll all probably be equally strong," said Poe.

Poe said the success and legitimacy of "Idol" should guarantee strong returns for Gracin and Bice.

Fair organizers also hope new options on the fairgrounds will help attract more people. Poe said several free entertainment options have been added this year, increasing the value people can get when visiting the fair.

Among those free entertainment options is the family-oriented Kids Zone tent, with things like free face painting, farm activities, puppet shows and other child-centered activities.

Ticket sales start July 19. For more information, call the fair office at 334-9250.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182