By Craig Horleman

The weather is heating up, which can mean only one thing around here. The Delaware State Fair is back for another year in Harrington.

From July 21 to 30, the fairgrounds will be buzzing with excitement. Let’s check out the fun with our annual A to Z check of the scene.

A — Country superstar Trace Adkins will be at the M&T Grandstand July 25 at 7:30 p.m. with the James Barker Band.

In his 25-year career in country music, Mr. Adkins has sold over 11 million albums, charted over 20 singles and garnered over 2 billion streams.

B — Making its debut this year at the fair will be a daily butter sculpture in Exhibit Hall. Carving time will be between noon and 8 p.m.

C — Returning to the fair after several years, will be hypnotist Catherine Hickland at the Hertrich Plaza daily at 6 and 8 p.m.

She is best known for her award-winning role as Lindsay Rappaport on ABC’s “One Life To Live” and is one of the few women in the business of hypnosis.

D — Dig it. Sand sculptors Darrell O’Connor and Andy West will be at the DNREC Building July 21 and 27 making their latest creations, which will stand throughout the fair.

F — Be on the lookout for The Fritters. They will be roaming the fairgrounds looking to entertain crowds of all sizes. They’re ready for lots of pictures and lots of laughs.

G — The Delaware State Duck & Goose Calling Championship is July 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hertrich Plaza.

There will also be a duck and goose senior level contest. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

H — Halestorm rocks the state fair July 22 at 7:30 p.m. with Cream Camino.

Halestorm is from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Lzzy Hale, her brother drummer and percussionist Arejay Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger and bassist Josh Smith.

Their hit single “Love Bites (So do I)” made Halestorm the first female-fronted group to earn the top spot on the Active Rock singles chart.

I — Put your culinary skills to the test in the Homemade Ice Cream Contest Monday in the Mann Tharp Pavilion. Check-in begins at 3 p.m.. Ice cream making starts at 3:30 p.m. with judging at 4:45 p.m.

J — After being conducted virtually for the past two years, the Junior Livestock Auction is returning to a live in-person auction format supplemented with online add-on bids Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Kent Barn.

K — Kids’ Day is July 26 at Hertrich Plaza. There will be free admission to youth 12 and under; stage entertainment; activities; and character meet and greets.

L — The Livestock Extravaganza is July 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Kent Building

Youth will exhibit the best animals in Delaware. Grand and Reserve Champion market hogs, lambs, goats and steer will be selected, as well as the Overall Grand Champion Showman.

M — The First State Model Railroad Club Display will be in the Delmarva Building throughout the fair.

Model trains, towns, bridges, mountains, detailed vehicles and people are all part of the display.

N — Nelly with Justin Champagne will perform July 23 at 7:30 p.m.

“The Hot in Here” rapper has also performed with country artists Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line and Delaware’s own Jimmie Allen.

O — Keep an eye out for Safari Sam and Oscar the Awesome Ostrich. We hear Oscar loves getting his picture taken, so make sure you get a picture with him and share it on social media.

P — The always-popular Hollywood Racing Pigs will compete daily on Arena Avenue at 2, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

Q — Quench that thirst at The Roost with a full line of mixed drinks and beers open daily from noon to 11 p.m.

They will be offering Eddy Orange Crushes and have the Bonz food trailer on hand.

Activities like cornhole, giant jenga, music bingo and karaoke will also be had.

R — Frank Reyes with Frankie Ruiz will give the fair a Latin flair July 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the M&T Grandstand.

Mr. Reyes earned the title Prince of Bachata in 2002, when his breakthrough single, “Nada de Nada,” made the Top 10 of Billboard’s Tropical Airplay chart. The title track from his 2014 album, “Noche de Pasión,” was a U.S. Latin radio hit and spent five months on the Dominican charts.

S — After previous cancellations due to COVID, Sam Hunt finally hits the stage for a show Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with Roman Alexander.

He cites both Usher and Conway Twitty among his early influences. The Georgia-born country singer moved to Nashville in 2008 after an unsuccessful bid to become a pro football player, then scored a record deal after co-writing hits for Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, and Keith Urban, going on to his own string of hits.

T — Another previous COVID cancellation, TobyMac brings his brand of Contemporary Christian music with Cade Thompson July 26 at 7:30 p.m.

TobyMac has seven Grammy awards, six gold records from his solo career, an American Music Award, been twice named Artist of the Year at the Dove awards, BMI Songwriter of the Year and has numerous other accolades to his credit.

U — Unlimited ride wristbands are available. The state fair has two deals for fairgoers. Get unlimited rides for any one day Monday-Thursday or any one day Friday-Sunday.

V — The vocal talents of Adam Calvert are back at the fair for a third straight year.

The Ohio native is an up and coming independent country artist making a name for himself and has a new single out now, called “Party On”.

W — Hank Williams Jr. brings his rowdy friends to close the state fair July 30 at 7:30 p.m. with Jake Worthington.

Mr. Williams’ resume has spawned 70 million albums sold worldwide, six platinum albums, 20 gold albums, 13 No. 1 albums and 10 No. 1 singles.

X — Robert Castillo’s BMX Freestyle Team will be at the fair for the first time this year. This is a high-energy BMX Freestyle Stunt Show that will be fun for the whole family.

Showtimes at the Sponsor Court are 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

Y — Youths will be showing their stuff in the 4-H Talent show Thursday night at 6:30 in the Centre Ice Arena.

Z — Those sharp dressed men ZZ Top will perform on their Raw Whisky Tour with Goodbye June July 27 at 7:30 p.m.

With 1983’s blockbuster “Eliminator,” ZZ Top crosswired their grooves with New Wave synths and sequencers to the tune of over 10 million copies sold, while a series of videos featuring models cruising around in the album cover’s customized vintage Ford Coupe made the band icons of MTV.

Gates open from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday with carnival opening at 5 p.m.

The rest of the days, the fair is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. with the carnival at 1 p.m.

Have fun at the fair!

Follow @CHorlemanDSN on Twitter.