A hotly contested U.S. Senate race will take center stage during the first day of this year's Farmfest.

The Farmfest forum tent will bring together Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., and challenger Al Franken, D-Minn., to discuss agriculture issues during what organizers say is the first time the two have met in a public forum.

"At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 5), we have the U.S. Senate Candidates forum on Agriculture and Rural Issues," said Deni Billmyer, Farmfest marketing manager. "Norm Coleman and Al Franken will be there; it will be the first time that they've actually faced off face-to-face.

"There will be a panel there that will consist of past agricultural association presidents from Minnesota."

After years of farm bill discussions, Farmfest will also open the floor to issues affecting agriculture in the future.

"On Wednesday (Aug. 6) we'll have a forum on food and fuel - where is the balance for renewable energy?" said Billmyer. "That one is going to be a little volatile. There will be people in there asking some hard line questions with all the products with commodities being raised today."

Organizers are looking to bring a different flavor to this year's Farmfest to go along with political discussions.

Two new attractions are planned for the first two days of Farmfest that organizers hope will bring a little more entertainment to the event.

"We have two different entertainment segments," said Billmyer. "The first will be the FarmersOnly.com show that will be Tuesday at the main forum tent. We're going to find out who the area's most eligible male and female farmers are.

"On Wednesday in the forum tent we're going to have the first annual armature auctioneering contest. It's open to anyone that has two years or less of actual auctioneering experience. We're actually taking money for the auction and we'll donate all that money to the 4-H."

Billmyer said one new tent will focus on farmers trying out new things.

"We have a couple new pavilions that are called the Agripreneurship tent," said Billmyer.

"We have 40 exhibitors in there, and there will be a forum stage in there as well with a forum schedule.

"It's going to focus on different ways farmers can generate extra income for their farm. There will be some presentations, two or three a day, at those tents."

A second new tent will give homeowners and farmers a chance to look at different products.

"We have one other pavilion called the Slumberland Home and Garden pavilion," said Billmyer. "It's just going to be a multitude of products and opportunities available to farmers looking for things to liven up their homes and gardens."