The 156th annual California State Fair will open its doors Friday.

The fair has evolved steadily since its inception, and this year is no different. Among old favorites, this year's run will feature many new exhibits and attractions. The theme of the fair is Weird, Wild and Wacky, and the zone by the same name is the center for most of the new attractions.

The new events at the Weird, Wild and Wakcy Zone (WWW) include an exotic bird show hosted by professional bird trainer Nancy Kobert, a fire pixie performance featuring fire eating, breathing and dancing and the Optical Oddities & Illusion show that will focus on the wonders of human perception. Las Vegas magician and "Master of Variety" Will Roya will perform his one-man show daily at the WWW and PG&E's Solar Stage, which will not only provide power for the other stages in the zone, but also bake cookies for kids.

Also in the WWW is the Floriculture -- A Garden of MAGnificent Proportions, where attendees can experience what life would be like if they were the size of a bug.

"The Floriculture is something we have every year, but we attach a new and different exhibit to it each time," said Norb Bartosik, CEO and general manager of Cal Expo. "The entrance of the Garden will be set up like a giant magnifying glass that makes everything larger than life."

"You also don't want to miss Candy Nation," Bartosik said. "It's an exhibit that gives a walk-through history of American candy, and there's a 20-foot-tall rock candy mountain people can walk on. Just something to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth."

Butler Amusements Inc. is the new carnival operator at this year's Magnificent Midway, which will offer three of the rides from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.

"We had to get them after our old ride contractor had prior commitments in Pomona," Bartosik said. "The owner of Butler actually bought the rides last year. We felt we would do something special to honor Michael."

The three rides are the Balloon Samba, which simulates a hot air balloon, a swing ride called the Wave Swinger and the Jeep Ride, which gives riders the experience of driving in a 4 x 4 vehicle.

Bartosik also added that the first 5,000 people through the fair's gates every Friday will get a ticket to ride one of the rides for free.

The tractor pull will make its first appearance in 20 years at the fair. "We figured since our theme this year is Weird, Wild and Wacky, it would be a good time to bring it back," Bartosik said. The event will take place on the first Saturday of the fair at the Miller Lite Grandstand and will feature supercharged tractors competing by pulling weights.

As for other live performances, Frank Olivier will host his "Twisted Cabaret" at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. daily. The show is a wild mix of vaudevillian comedy including juggling, magic and knife throwing.

"He puts on an incredible show, and it will probably be some new material and classic stuff," Bartosik said. Olivier's show is known for its large cast of characters, mostly played by the star himself. Mimes, psychics, yoga masters, cross-dressers, pickpockets and whatever else Olivier decides to add in are sure to amaze the audience.

The lineup for concert performers is as diverse as it has been in past years. David Cook, winner of American Idol's seventh season, will kick off the festivities on opening night of the fair. The Beatles cover group The Fab Four and MC Hammer are among the other dozen acts set to perform during the fair's two-and-a-half-week run.

"There will be something for everyone who comes in," Bartosik said. "I know I've walked through the park five times now, and I still haven't seen everything!"

For more information, visit bigfun.org