The Grange Fair means many different things to the many people who look forward to its arrival each year. To some, it’s the chance to have a vacation away from the everyday rounds of work, chores and family life. Some look forward to the food and plan what they want to enjoy each day. Still others look forward to the entertainment. This year’s lineup promises to be one of the best yet.
“All the entertainment is free with admission to the fair, which makes it a good deal,” said Kris McCloskey, who arranged this year’s musical acts. “This is my first year as chairperson to the Grange committee responsible for the grandstand acts. I tried to mix in some new talent along with the older country acts that I knew would be popular.”
On Friday, Aug. 17, country band Ricochet will bring its harmonies to the stage. The group is responsible for such chart-topping hits as “What Do I Know” and “Love Is Stronger Than Pride.”
The next day, Saturday, Aug. 18, southern rockers The Georgia Satellites will perform from their catalog, including the 1980s hit “Keep Your Hands to Yourself.”
Country music artist Tracy Lawrence takes the stage Monday, Aug. 20. He has sold more than 13 million albums and has had 18 No. 1 singles, including “Time Marches On.”
Tuesday, Aug. 21, is the day to come out and hear Morgan Wallen, who has blended genres of country, rock and hip-hop into his own sound, producing a Top 30 debut single, “The Way I Talk.”
On Wednesday, Aug. 22, country music legends Shenandoah will please fairgoers with their songs, which span 30 years at the top of the charts. They’ll perform classics such as “Two Dozen Roses and “Sunday in the South.”
Natalie Stovall, a member of Blake Shelton’s team from Season 13 of “The Voice,” appears at the fair Thursday, Aug. 23. Named one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” she performs with a fiddle and her band, The Drive.
On Friday, Aug. 24, Mark Wills will use his voice to charm you. He has eight Top 10 hits to his name, including “19 Something” and “Don’t Laugh at Me.”
The fair closes out Saturday, Aug. 25, with Building
429. The band’s No. 1 single, “Where I Belong,” spent 15 weeks at top of the charts and won Christian Song of the Year in 2012.
With a couple of newer artists and some old favorites, there should be something to entice most of the fair crowd to the grandstand. Of course, there is plenty of other entertainment elsewhere on the grounds.
This year, mostly soloists, duos and trios will grace Jubilee Grove, and a lot of new, young performers will have a chance to play. Check out Flipside, The Corner Brothers, Goodish, Buffalo Mountain Bluegrass and others.
The Southside stage will feature Velveeta, Josh Gallagher and Alleycats, two young boys from Millheim who play all sorts of instruments.
