DES MOINES -- An evening with the top 10 American Idols? The hard rockin' sounds of Alice Cooper? A trip back to the 80s with Survivor? Definitely sounds like fun.

Iowa State Fair organizers had fun and family in mind when they put together this year's entertainment lineup. The fair, which runs today through Aug. 19, is themed "Sounds Like Fun" and promises something for everyone.

"Both in the grandstand and on the free stages we have a terrific lineup," said Lori Chappell, Iowa State Fair marketing director.

The American Idols Live! is expected to be the big draw this year as the top 10 contestants from Fox's hugely popular talent show "American Idol" take the State Fair stage. Fair organizers worked to secure a spot on the idol tour a few years ago with no success.

"We're excited that it finally has happened," Chappell said. "Tickets are selling quite well. I'd encourage people to get tickets while they can."

Ticket sales also are strong for a concert that's sure to be a hit with the 'tween set and their families. Corbin Bleu and Drake Bell of Disney Channel fame will perform. Bleu, who was featured in the wildly popular "High School Musical" movie, will be a huge draw, particularly with the Disney Channel release of "High School Musical 2" Aug. 17, Chappell said.

Fair goers will be "Lovin' Every Minute of It" as the '80s icon rock band Loverboy hits the stage. They'll love it even more since the concert is part of the fair's free entertainment lineup. There also will be tribute bands playing tunes by Abba and the Bee Gees, as well as an Elvis impersonator.

"Between country, classic rock and Christian (music), there's a little bit of everything," Chappell said.

Contact Meta Hemenway-Forbes at (319) 291-1483 or meta.hemenway-forbes@wcfcourier.com.

GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT

Tickets for all shows are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and at www.ticketmaster.com.

Gary Allan, Eric Church

Tonight, 8 p.m.

Singer Gary Allan has been known as an industry outsider from Southern California. But now, after a move to Nashville, the passing of his wife and hits like "A Feelin' Like That" and "Life Ain't Always Beautiful," he's the underdog that everyone is cheering for.

Fresh from a tour with legendary Bob Seger, Eric Church will get the evening off right with his honest and straightforward style of singing it like it is.

Tickets: $28

Alice Cooper with Blue Oyster Cult

Friday, 8 p.m.

The fact that Alice Cooper is rock 'n' roll's foremost legendary statesman of outrage is unquestionable. Any act worth its weight in rock 'n' roll, theatrics, makeup and in-your-face attitude owes more than just a passing nod of respect in the direction of the flamboyant Alice Cooper.

Spanning three decades, Blue Oyster Cult has a long and storied history of rock 'n' roll classics including "Don't Fear The Reaper" and "Burnin' For You."

Tickets: $28

Rock 'N' Roll Reunion XXVIII

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Let the good times roll when the sounds of the '50s and '60s get your feet tapping, your fingers snapping and your spirit rising. Living legends like Little Anthony and the Imperials, Ben E. King and Percy Sledge and Gary U.S. Bonds will take concert goers back to the good old days.

Tickets: $28

Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell and special guest Jordan Pruitt

Sunday, 8 p.m.

At a very young age, Corbin Bleu was the only boy in his jazz and ballet dance class. Now, as Chad in the Disney Channel Original Movie "High School Musical," Bleu is in a class all his own.

A child actor who began appearing in commercial and feature films when he was 5, Drake Bell is now making a name for himself in the music business. His debut album, "It's Only Time," combines his bittersweet pop sound with catchy harmonies and plenty of exuberant vocals.

Monumentally talented singer/songwriter Jordan Pruitt has a maturity far beyond her 15 years. Her original song, "Jump to the Rhythm," recently was featured in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Jump In!"

Tickets: $25

Dierks Bentley with Chris Cagle

Tuesday, 8 p.m.

Dierks Bentley grew up in Phoenix, listening to George Strait and Hank Williams. He moved to Nashville at age 19, where he was exposed to bluegrass music and dug deeper into the roots of country music. You can hear all these influences come together in a country style that is all his own.

There aren't many performers who can put passion and energy on stage or on a record the way Chris Cagle can. That explains why his first two albums went gold and he followed that with four Top 10 hits.

Tickets: $28

Casting Crowns with Tree63

Aug. 16, 8 p.m.

In 2003, Casting Crowns vaulted to popularity following their hits "If We Are the Body" and "Who Am I." Today, the soft rock band is one of the best-selling groups in Christian music with career sales exceeding a million records. The Atlanta-based group has received numerous accolades including a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

Known for its unreservedly rock 'n' roll style with a spiritual message, the South African band, Tree63 debuted in 2000 and has followed with three more albums.

Tickets: $25

Joe Walsh

Aug. 17, 8 p.m.

Best known for his powerful guitar licks, Joe Walsh has entertained the masses and captivated his peers from his early hits with the James Gang through to his tenure with the Eagles -- as well as a successful solo career. For more than three decades his distinctively reedy vocals, off-the-wall lyrics and expansive guitar talent have produced such classics as "Life's Been Good" and "Ordinary Average Guy."

Tickets: $28

Switchfoot with Cartel

Aug. 18, 8 p.m.

The music of Switchfoot incorporates everything from electronic experimentation to hard-charging guitar to softer ballads. Their first major label debut, "The Beautiful Letdown," sold more than 2.6 million copies and featured their best-known singles, "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move."

Cartel, an Atlanta pop-rock quintet formed in 2004, made the Alternative Press's 2005 list of "Bands You Need to Know."

Tickets: $28

American Idols Live!

Aug. 19, 8 p.m.

The evening will feature solos, duets and group encores from the season six Top 10 American Idols including Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Gina Glockson, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey and Sanjaya Malakar.

Tickets: $42

FREE ENTERTAINMENT (with gate admission)

Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage

Aug. 9-11: The Nadas, 7 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 12: Survivor, 8 p.m.

Aug. 13-14: GB Leighton, 7 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 15-16: Hairball: A spoof on the '80s, 7 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 17-18: Vocal Trash, 1 and 3:30 p.m.; The Blue Band, 7 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 19: Vocal Trash, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Riley Stage

Aug. 9-11: Vocal Trash, 7 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 12: Fiesta Latina featuring Grupo Fuego, 7 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 13-14: Justin Roberts, 4 and 6 p.m.

Aug. 13-14: Ron Diamond, 8 p.m.

Aug. 15-16: Vocal Trash, 7 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 17: The BoDeans, 8 p.m.

Aug. 18: Loverboy, 8 p.m.

Aug. 19: Don McLean, 7 p.m.

Susan Knapp Amphitheater

Aug. 9: Jason Brown, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 10: Del McCoury Band, 8 p.m.

Aug. 11: Steve Holy, 8 p.m.

Aug. 12-14: Vocal Trash, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 15: Bellamy Brothers, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 16: Country Gold: Leroy VanDyke, Bobby Bare, Charlie Rich Jr. and Connie Smith, 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Aug. 17: Josh Gracin, 8 p.m.

Aug. 18: Chris Young, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 19: Celebration Iowa, 4 and 6 p.m.

Terrible's Lakeside Casino Stage

Aug. 9-11: ABBAMANIA: The Magic and Music of ABBA, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 12-14: Stayin' Alive: A Night of the Bee Gees, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 15-16: Travis LeDoyt: Elvis Impersonator, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Aug. 17-19: Simply the Best: Tribute to Legendary Motown Divas, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Go and do

The 2007 Iowa State Fair "Sounds Like Fun" runs from today through Aug. 19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th Street and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines and are open 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call (800) 545-3247 or visit iowastatefair.org.