Entertainment at this year's Portage Ex will feature a combination of old favorites and new thrills, with Doc Walker headlining.

Entertainment chairman Ray Askin said that the band approached the Portage Ex and not the other way around.

"Doc Walker is coming back we haven't had them for quite a few years. They've got a new album out last summer I guess after the fair. They actually wanted to come to Portage and come back home for a tour," said Askin.

Doc Walker will be performing at

7 p.m. on Saturday at the PCU Centre, with local talent Kevin

Johnson opening.

Saturday will also include a wide range of other performances, including Chris Meseyton at 2 p.m., HOJA at 3:30 and 8 p.m., and Maxine Peters at 8:30 p.m.

"New this year we've got HOJA coming. They're an acapella group from out West, from Calgary or so, a bunch of energetic young fellows. They sing all kind of music there, so that's something new," said Askin.

On Sunday Mark Morisseau and the Metis Prairie Steppers will be closing off the night with a performance at the PCU Centre at 7 p.m.

If music isn't your thing there's a whole bunch of other entertainment that will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday. James Grant's Carnival Caravan will be performing both days, as will Pinkie the Clown, and the Diamond Disc Dog Show.

"We're having the Diamond Disc Dogs back again. They were very popular last year with the young and old, I guess," said Askin. "James Grant is back again, The kids never seem to get tired of watching him perform his tricks."

The 140th Portage Ex is scheduled to run from July 7-9 on Island Park. Daily gate admission is $5 per day with six and under getting in free. Midway wristbands are $33 daily, with family wrist bands available Sunday only from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. for $22.

See www.portageex.com for more information.

robin.dudgeon@sunmedia.ca