BLACKFOOT, Idaho -- The Eastern Idaho State Fair starts Saturday, and thousands are expected for opening day.

Organizers are calling this year's fair the year of more: more rides, more food and more room for more people.

When it comes to free stage events, there are more seats. There are also new carnival rides, including a thrill ride, the Turbo Force, and even a roller coaster from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.

"Turbo Force is something I definitely won't be riding on,” said Fair Manager Brandon Bird. “It’s one of our tallest rides and guaranteed to get everybody sick, which seems to be an important part of the carnival."

Shailynn Bench said the rides are the best part; her favorite is the Zipper.

"It makes your heart beats like a thousand beats," Bench said.

The fair even has an expanded selection of food.

"The food is really great, especially at Hansen’s Hoagies," Brianna Winmill said.

The fair board also made some capital improvements to the grounds, including newly paved walkways and a chip seal coat on the carnival grounds.

"It makes it a lot better if there’s rough weather. It makes it easier so when the wind comes and goes, it'll be a great surface to work on. So people can come any time rain or shine,” Bird said.

For the first time, the fair is going smoke-free.

Smoking will be allowed only in two designated areas.

"We hope it provides a much better family environment for those who come out to the fair," Bird said.

It's family fun keeping everyone coming back for more.

"Even my kids in Boise are coming to the Eastern Fair because the western fair is not that great and anywhere else in the country it’s not that great. It's the Eastern Idaho State Fair that's the best in the west,” one woman said.

You can now buy your tickets online and print them at home. Fair organizers say it will speed things along at the front gates.

The Eastern Idaho State Fair isn't the only fair going smoke-free. The Utah State Fair is also smoke-free for the first time this year.