If you’ve ever wondered what happens to the “also rans” on American Idol, those singers who don’t quite make it to the top, but are still very good performers, look no further than the Kitsap County Fair.

Second season fourth place winner Josh Gracin is the headliner act for the fair, which starts Aug. 23 and runs through Aug. 27. Gracin performs 9 p.m. Aug. 24 on the main stage.

Gracin won fans on the second season of American Idol with his high-energy country singing and good looks. Gracin has recorded a self-titled CD which includes his debut single, “I Want to Live.”

For Gracin, performing is about more than just singing.

“When I’m up on stage, it’s like a whole new world for me,” he has said. “I love performing. I’m a firm believer that it’s really great for a singer to have a good voice, but to bring it to the next level, you have to draw the audience in and make them part of the music, make them feel what you’re feeling.”

Gracin was no overnight sensation — his first stage appearance was at an eighth grade talent competition where he sang Garth Brooks’ “Standing Outside the Fire,” to a largely dance music-loving group of peers in Westland, Mich.

He’s also had experience singing opera as a member of his school choir and Motown hits as part of a youth pop orchestra. In high school, a talent show win took him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, the holy shrine of country music.

“Just knowing I was on a stage where so many stars and country legends had performed made me glad for the experience,” he said.

When Gracin was chosen for American Idol Two, he was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. While other Marines deployed to Iraq, he was singing for the judges.

“The toughest moment through all of this was when we were doing the show and I was staying up until four or five in the morning just watching the news and trying to keep track of how the Marines were doing over there,” he said. “I felt guilty because I was singing on this show and there were fellow Marines over there in foxholes.”

Gracin now tours the country, singing his patriotic, inspirational songs, and continuing to win fans.

Also on the main stage bill are the Peking Acrobats, hypnotist Tammy Harris Barton, juggling comedian Paul Isaak, magician Jeff Evans and big band Silverport Sound.

All main stage and family fun stage performances are included in the fair admission.

The family fun stage hosts a non-stop slate of performers guaranteed to amuse and amaze audiences of all ages.

Local groups such as Peninsula All Star Connection, Still Kickin’ Liberty Bay Dance Works, the Steptaculars, Irene’s School of Dance and Sorano Karate perform, as well as the K-9 Comets, Valentine’s Famous Performing Pigs, Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth and JP Patches.

“Celebrity gardener” Ciscoe Morris makes an appearance on the family stage, 1 p.m. Aug. 25, and at 5 p.m. on Aug. 26 the Whisker Club of Bremerton hosts an all-ages mustache and beard contest.

And, of course, there are the barns full of critters, crafts and corn (and other produce), carnival rides and games, the “Stampede” rodeo, and the Xtreme Bulls show on Sunday.

The Stampede takes place in the Thunderbird stadium at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, with the Xtreme Bulls starting at 1 p.m. Sunday.

General fair hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

There are several ways to purchase tickets. A combination fair and Stampede ticket on Wednesday through Saturday is $12 adults, $9 seniors and youth age 6-12, free under age 5.

A fair only admission Wednesday through Sunday is $7 adults, $5 seniors and youth, under five free. The Stampede only, Wednesday through Saturday, is the same price.

Admission for the Xtreme Bulls on Sunday includes fair admission for $18 adults and seniors, $16 youth, free under age 5. Advance tickets for the Xtreme Bulls are $16 and $14, available at all Westsound Bank locations.

Stampede and Xtreme Bulls arena floor seat tickets are available for $20 Stampede, $25 Xtreme Bulls. To reserve call (360) 471-8449.

Wednesday fair and Stampede admission is just 25 cents and military members with ID are free. Thursday ages 12 and younger get in free, and seniors pay $2.50. Friday bring a specially marked can of Pepsi for $1 off admission. Sunday is family day, with two adults and two children ages 6-12 admitted for $20.

The Kitsap Fairgrounds and Events Center is located at 1200 NE Fairgrounds Rd., Bremerton.