The organizer of Maryland’s longest-running county fair is trying something new this year that he hopes will double attendance: replacing live bands with a karaoke contest.

“We have always had bands, but bands seem like they don’t really do anything at our fair,” said Paul Harris, president and manager of the Prince George’s County Fair, which kicks off this evening. “We don’t have grandstands, so I tried something different that is going to bring the people in.”

The four-day fair at Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro runs through Sunday. Technically, Harris said, there will be a band today, but none Friday through Sunday when the karaoke contest is taking place.

“It’s not paying off,” Harris said of the bands.

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Besides replacing bands with the karaoke contest, Harris said, there are no other significant changes to the 165-year-old fair.

Other activities include barrel races, magic shows, a petting farm, monster truck and carnival rides, a circus show, 4-H agricultural and horticultural exhibits, and government and commercial exhibits.

Harris said about 20,000 tickets are usually sold for the fair.

“With the karaoke, I’m hoping to double it,” he said. Twenty-five finalists will compete for a $1,000 grand prize Sunday afternoon.

Fair hours are from 4 to 10 p.m. today; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6; $5 for children 6-11.

“It’s always a good time,” said John Erzen, a spokesman for County Executive Jack Johnson. “It brings the community together.”

Erzen said the fair is a good chance for residents to talk face to face with government officials “about the different services that they need.”

For information

Visit www.countyfair.org.

dfowler@dcexaminer.com