While the weather doesn't seem ready to share warmer temperatures, it is technically spring, which for the South Sound means one thing: the Spring Fair in Puyallup.

This 25-year tradition is back at the downtown fairgrounds April 10 to 13 with food, rides, livestock and performances. All military servicemembers, retirees, disabled veterans and their families get in free April 11 with valid identification.

For more information, check out excerpts the news release from the Spring Fair folks below. ...

Members of the military and their families find the Spring Fair is a great chance to reconnect and create lasting memories. This year's Spring Fair offers a new hands-on exhibit, Mindworks!, where kids of all ages can enjoy larger-than-life game boards and puzzles. The All Alaskan Racing Pigs are always a big hit with military families, as well as KidZone and Tot Spot, two buildings dedicated to interacting with your young children. The Fair Farm is also the place to meet baby animals, while the DockDogs competition draws big crowds.  Of course, rides, food, and shopping galore make this a must-do adventure.

Friday night features an up-and-coming country artist Chuck Wicks, at the KMPS Showcase. The free concert (upon gate admission) will be held at Showplace Stage at 7:30 pm, and offers great country music.

Monster Truck Rides are only $7 on Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Saturday from noon - 4 p.m. Three separate ticketed events are the Monster Truck Show on Friday night at 7:30 p.m., and two Slamfest Demolition Derbies. One is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. features trucks and cars, and another on Sunday at 4 p.m., features classic big cars. Advance tickets include Fair gate admission, and can be purchased online at www.thefair.com.

In addition to purchasing discount tickets in advance online, advance gate tickets can be purchased at participating Fred Meyer stores, Safeway stores, and South Hill Mall for $7.50 (adults), and $5.50 (students 6-18 years).

Adult gate tickets are $10 at the gate, and Students (6-18 years) are $8 at the gate. Children five years and under are free. Parking is free.  Hours are Thursday (4/10) from 2 - 10 pm; Friday and Saturday (4/11-4/12) 10 am - 10 pm; and Sunday (4/13) from 10 am - 8 pm. Visit www.thefair.com for updated activities and times.

The 2014 Spring Fair marks the 25^th year the event has been held, drawing over 100,000 guests. Animals, the NW Jr. Livestock Show, free entertainment, kids' activities, Northwest Living & Garden, Motorsport Mayhem and much more attract large crowds to this celebration of spring each April. For more info about the Spring Fair, April 10-13, 2014, or the Sept. 5-21, 2014 Washington State Fair, visit www.thefair.com, or text "THEFAIR" to 87767.