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BOONE COUNTY, MO. -- The Boone County Fair opened at 4 p.m. Wednesday and fair organizers expect large crowds and hot weather for the 11-day event.

With over 40 rides and attractions, workers made a few last minutes adjustments before opening their midway to the public. 

“We have the Sea Dragon. That’s a feature ride. The Cliffhanger is a feature ride, and of course, we have the Gondola Ferris Wheel," Carnival Owner Tony Lowery said. "We have a lot of kiddie rides and a lot of food and games.”

This year’s new ride is Drop Zone. It stands 135 feet tall and drops you out of the sky.

“It was great," test riders said. "I would definitely ride it again. It was incredible. It was a rush!”

Last year, Mother Nature’s nice weather brought more than 100,000 visitors to the Boone County Fair. Organizers are praying for the same weather conditions this year.

Besides old favorites, the Boone County Fair features three new attractions. 

Country Music Singer Jake Owen performs on the first Friday night. The second Friday night features a Monster Truck Show. Beginning Tuesday, grizzly bears from the Welde’s Bear Show will take the stage.

There are also lions, tigers, bears and even owls at Woody’s Menagerie.

“We have some very unique and unusual animals for people to see and learn a little bit about," Menagerie Owner Greg Woody said. "We also, next door, have the reptile and amphibian display. We have 92 cages in there. There are 20 different types of geckos.”

George Harris has been the Boone County Fairground Manager since 1992. Harris said this year’s fair is the biggest and best fair he has ever seen.

“All of the old favorites are still around," Harris said. "The ham breakfast, the demolition derby and the truck and tractor pull, all of those things are still here. The society horse show is still going big. We have a big 11 days planned.”

Other highlights include livestock shows, pig races and a petting zoo.