The countdown is on to the 2008 California State Fair, this year featuring UC Davis' "Dream Big" pavilion in honor of the university's centennial.

The fair is set to open Friday, Aug. 15, and continue daily through Labor Day, Sept. 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, and noon to 10 p.m. all other days.

Hundreds of UC Davis employees and students have signed up to serve as volunteer campus ambassadors in the pavilion, which will showcase scholarship and research in food and agriculture, energy, the environment, health, and community building and global understanding.

The exhibition also will feature artwork, theatrical costumes, musical instruments and antique bicycles from campus collections.

MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBITION: centennial.ucdavis.edu (click on "Get Involved" to inquire about volunteering.)