DES MOINES, IA (07/12/2012)(readMedia)-- Iowa State Fair's free grounds entertainment will fill the Fairgrounds with family fun August 9-19. These grounds acts are just part of the more than half a million dollars of entertainment available to Fairgoers free with gate admission. "Nothing Compares" to this mix of art, music, comedy and animals that is sure to provide fun for all ages!

The Kids' Zone will be packed with kid-friendly food, entertainment and activities for the youngest Fairgoers. Located north of the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center, Kids' Zone includes the Blue Ribbon Kids' Club Tent, Little Hands on the Farm, Bengal Tiger Encounter, Butterfly House and Turbo Trampoline.

The Bengal Tiger Encounter is an inspirational program featuring the incredible Bengal tiger and educates the public on the loss of habitat and the killing of tigers for profit in other parts of the world. These tigers are protected and cared for by loving trainers. Tigers are on display all day with shows daily at 10 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m.

Fairgoers won't want to miss the fun and excitement found in the family-friendly entertainment area located west of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center. This area will feature the Swampmaster's Gator Show and the BMX Pros Trick Team several times daily.

Starring Swampmaster and native Iowan Jeff Quattrocchi and his band of playful alligators, the Swampmaster's Gator Show provides thrills, laughter, fun facts and edge-of-the-seat entertainment for all. Swampmaster's shows are daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., west of Jacobson Exhibition Center. For those looking for even bigger thrills, the BMX Pros Trick Team is sure to deliver. The show features the world's most extreme bicycle stunt riders in a spectacular, non-stop, action-packed event. The BMX Pros Trick Team presents the same championship talent that competes in the X-Games. BMX Pros Trick Team perform daily at 1, 3 and 6 p.m., west of Jacobson Exhibition Center.

Fairgoers can also enjoy an impressive array of new, fun family shows across the Fairgrounds. The Red Trouser Show is a high-end street theater performance that exceeds expectations. This professional and highly skilled duo is a unique and visible attraction that leaves awe-struck audiences laughing. Using fire, juggling and illusions, the show provides a whole new kind of acrobatics that is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. Shows are daily at noon, 2 and 5 p.m on Expo Hill.

Bandoloni, the one man band, will be strolling the Fairgrounds to impress audiences with his harmonious multitasking. Fairgoers will want to join in the fun as he belts out familiar family favorites while playing guitar, harmonica, tambourine, high-hat, kick-drum, snare and more - all at the same time! Catch Bandoloni strolling around the Fairgrounds daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.

"Back to the Farmer" will be the focus of a sculpture in the Varied Industries Building by Canstruction, Inc., a group that creates art from canned goods before donating their sculpting material to local food banks. Positioned around the main build of a futuristic car will be colorful and engaging sculptures depicting the continuous improvement of Iowa's farmers. Also, chainsaw artists A.J. Lutter and Gary Keenan will be sculpting four different pieces each day at 10 a.m., noon, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. in Heritage Village. The sculptures will be auctioned off at the end of the Fair.

The Cultural Center atrium will be showcasing The Art of Becoming AWARE sculptures from

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The sculptures are made from trash pulled from Iowa's rivers in Iowa DNR's Project AWARE cleanup efforts.

Rounding out the free grounds entertainment, Hedrick's Petting Zoo will allow kids of all ages to get up close and personal with many animals that may not be found in the typical Iowa barn. Visit their exhibit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Pella Wildlife Company will also present animal shows featuring bats and wolves and other endangered species at Maytag Family Theaters daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. In addition, an ongoing wildlife education center will run continuously in Homemakers' Theater.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. A complete listing and details of free grounds entertainment, as well as all other Iowa State Fair events, is available online. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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Tap your toes!  Move your feet!  Get up and dance to the live jazz music of Don Estes and the Prairie Ramblers at the 25th Annual Bix Porch Party!  Enjoy the block party featuring live jazz, entertainment, food, and more on Thursday, August 2, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (music starts at 11:30) at the Main Street Library (321 Main Street).

Enjoy FREE music, entertainment, popcorn, and lemonade.  The library's Teen Volunteer Council will sell hotdogs and soda at bargain prices to help raise money for teen items at the library!

Bring lawn chairs and blankets, and wear your dancing shoes as we block off Main Street for some good old-fashioned fun.  Come for the music and enjoy the old-timey carnival of popcorn, lemonade, and more!  This FREE event is for people of all-ages.

Stop in the Library afterwards and visit the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center to learn more about Bix and see the display of Bix Jazz Festival posters.  Call 563-326-7832 for more information.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Davenport Public Library.

Governor Champions New Illinois Hiring Veterans Tax Credit to Help Returning Servicemembers Find Jobs

CHICAGO - July 12, 2012.  Three days after signing the Hiring Veterans Tax Credit to help veterans find employment in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today called on employers throughout Illinois to hire 100,000 Veterans by 2020. The Governor was joined by a coalition of more than 60 companies, government agencies and Veterans' groups for the 100,000 Jobs Mission hiring event at the University of Illinois at Chicago's forum. The Hiring Veterans Tax Credit, which Governor Quinn called for in his 2012 State of the State address, is designed to help more Illinois Veterans find employment after returning from military service. The measure provides a significant additional tax credit of up to $5,000 for every unemployed Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan an Illinois company hires, which helps businesses employ Veterans who have sacrificed so much in serving our state and our country.

"This job fair today is an opportunity for so many servicemembers who are ready and waiting to put their skills to work," Governor Quinn said. "Our returning Veterans have sacrificed, served and completed their mission and they deserve every opportunity to find a good job."

The 100,000 Jobs Mission hiring event is being held in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), JP Morgan Chase, Joining Forces, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), American Legion, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Student Veterans of America, U.S. Department of Labor - VETS, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The fair uses an innovative pre-register, pre-match model that results in pre-scheduled interviews and, in some cases, on-the-spot job offers that range from entry-level to managerial positions. Veterans are sought-after employees for their service training, which includes respect for authority, embracing responsibility and success operating in a team-based environment. Servicemembers also have advanced training in technology, manufacturing, construction and logistics. Since the program's launch last year, the group has collectively hired more than 12,000 Veterans.

Some of the Illinois-based companies and organizations participating in today's event include Abbott, Caterpillar, CDW, Cushman & Wakefield, Health Care Service Corp. (parent of Blue Cross Blue Shield), Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Kraft Foods, McDonald's, Northern Trust, Schneider National, Sears, University of Chicago Medical Center, and Walgreens.

For more information about benefits for our Veterans, visit Veterans.Illinois.gov or call the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs at 217-782-6641 or 312-814-2460.

(Quad Cities) - River Roots Live organizers have added 90's rockers Tonic to the headlining lineup for Saturday, August 18. Tonic will be replacing Los Lobos in the Saturday lineup due to an announcement from Los Lobos that they are now unable to play the date due to personal reasons.

With six top 10 singles, over 4 million records sold, Grammy nominations, and the #1 most-played rock song of 1998, Tonic is a musical powerhouse. Tonic merged the raw honesty of rock to unabashed melody...and ushered rock n roll into the new millennium. Tonic is still touring and releasing albums more than a decade after initially hitting the radio charts. Many bands would be content with that sort of history. Not Tonic. The band is back in the studio after a two-year break, working on a follow up to their last album, Grammy-nominated Head On Straight.

Emerson Hart founded Tonic with guitarist Jeff Russo - a childhood friend - adding bassist Dan Lavery shortly after inception. After storming the charts with debut album Lemon Parade and its monster hit "If You Could Only See," the band released two additional studio albums (Sugar and Head On Straight) as well as a live EP, Live & Enhanced. They've been featured on a number of soundtracks, including the lead single from "American Pie" ("You Wanted More"). This summer the band will release a Greatest Hits CD/DVD package. Tonic's other radio hits include Open up Your Eyes, Casual Affair, You Wanted More, Knock Down Walls, and more.

River Roots Live is the Quad-Cities' premiere music festival featuring top national bands and barbeque and it returns for its eighth year in downtown Davenport's LeClaire Park August 17 & 18! Admission to the park each day is only $5 after 5 p.m. and FREE from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Better Than Ezra, Tonic, and Keller Williams with the Travelin' McCourys will headline River Roots Live's 17 bands with support from a strong lineup of outstanding national artists including Julia Nunes, The Nighthawks, Eric Sardinas, Joe Robinson, The Steepwater Band, The Congress, Maps & Atlases, Quiet Corral, and Family Groove Company. The Quad Cities' own talent will also be on display when American Dust, Jason Carl & The Whole Damn Band, The Low Down, Oranagadang, and the Jordan Danielsen & The Great Space Coasters take the stage.

With an estimated 30,000 attendees in 2012, River Roots Live has continued to grow every year since its inception in 2005. With that in mind, additional vendors and beverage tents will be added to the fest this year. For complete details regarding band bios and festival activities, please visit www.RiverRootsLive.com.

Produced by the Downtown Davenport Partnership, a division of Quad Cities Chamber, River Roots Live is supported by partners Living Lands & Waters and the River Music Experience - all nonprofit organizations. River Roots Live is proud to help promote music education programs at the River Music Experience, environmental clean-up efforts on the Mississippi River by Living Lands & Waters, and the growth of historic downtown Davenport.

River Roots Live is presented by Rhythm City Casino and Riverboat Development Authority. Major Sponsors include U.S. Cellular, Nerdwerx, Mediacom, 97X, Budweiser, The Quad-City Times, WQAD Channel 8, and West Music. Please visit www.RiverRootsLive.com to see the complete list of our generous community sponsors!