LOVINGTON, N.M. – The versatility of daily entertainers is a big reason the Lea County Fair and Rodeo has been attractive spot for longtime attendees.

This year’s lineup is no different. From conjurer Robert Smith to The Great Bear Show, fairgoers will have the opportunity to experience a little bit of Hollywood magic and an inspiring tribute to some of the world’s most majestic animals during this year’s exposition, set for Friday, July 31-Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Lea County Fairgrounds in Lovington.

“I think the daily entertainers gives people a broader spectrum to our fair and rodeo,” said Corey Helton, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “Everyone knows there’s going to be the concerts, the rodeo and the carnival, but this adds a variety to what’s out there.”

The Great Bear Show features cubs that were adopted through either state wildlife agencies or the United States Department of Agriculture, who contact show organizers to find the young bears a home.

The Great Bear Show staff takes the cubs in, trains them to be handled safely and try to find them good homes in licensed centers that have room.

“We also take them on the road to events to educate the public about bears in the wind and captivity,” stated information from the show’s website.

Smith’s conjurer persona was inspired by the coin-operated fortune-teller machines but features a new twist. Imagine the Tom Hanks movie “Big,” in which young Josh makes a wish to be big, which led to Hanks’ classic portrayal of a boy in a man’s body.

The entertainers are set up to be the perfect fit for families and other fair-goers who enjoy the overall fair experience that comes with the reasonable ticket prices – admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children daily.

“What we want with our daily entertainment is for people to have something new and different, and we’re definitely getting that this year,” Helton said. “I’m excited to see it myself and to hear what others have to say about these acts.”