"A Fair to Remember" is the theme of this year’s New Mexico State Fair, celebrating its 70th anniversary as it opens today.

In addition to the state’s finest and biggest produce, exhibits, Midway rides and rodeo entertainment, this year’s daily "spectaculars" include Olympic diving and aerial feats at the Mermaids & Mariners show (Friday through Sunday). the Mapapa African Acrobats from Kenya (Thursday through Sunday) and an "Amazing Rainforest Experience," an animal show that teaches conservation and environmental awareness (every day).

The free entertainment line-up kicks off with Eric Burdon and the Animals Sunday night.

The scores of informational booths on the grounds will include one hosted by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, which is trying to find an estimated 748,000 owners of nearly $110 in unclaimed property — everything from utility refunds and insurance checks to jewelry.

Admission is up a bit — at $9 for adults, $4 for children 3-12 and $5 for seniors — but parking is free. Daily schedules can be found here for the self-proclaimed "biggest show in New Mexico," which runs through Sept. 21 at the Expo New Mexico grounds. Admission is half-price on Tuesdays. Directions and other information can be found here.

The State Fair parade starts Saturday at 8:45 a.m. at Central and Louisiana and will proceed east on Central to Conchas, just a few blocks short of Eubank Boulevard.

The state Department of Health says New Mexico ranked 31 in the nation in child immunization rates, up from last year’s ranking at 40, and says it has a plan to improve those rates, according to the Associated Press.

The switch from area code 505 to 575 will officially be complete a month from now, the Las Cruces Sun-News reports. On Oct. 5, 505 will no longer be in service for
three-quarters of the state.

The New Mexico Gaming Control Board is investigating whether a Las Cruces Internet cafe was being used as a gambling operation, the Sun-News also reports.

The paper says gaming control board officials told a group of lawmakers on Thursday the operation was similar to gaming parlors that recently sprang up recently in El Paso, which included desk-top computers offering video-style poker and slots. Undercover officers seized 21 machines form the Internet Access Depot in Las Cruces on July 30.