The Boss, the Beatles and Sir Elton John will take the stage this summer at the Benton County Fair. OK, it’s not the real deal, but these tribute shows show promise as providing a pretty good evening of entertainment.
The fair lineup also includes country music singers Chase Bryant and Colt Ford in featured appearances. Briana Renea, the Fat Bottomed Girls, and Catherine Loyer and Strawberry Roan will also be on stage.
The concerts are free with fair admission and seating in the outdoor venue is first-come, first-serve. Check out this page for more information and links to tickets.
The Wednesday night performance on Aug. 3 opens with Renea at 7 p.m. followed by Bryant at 8:30. Renea, who grew up on a farm in Oregon, blends rock and country in a high-energy show. Bryant had early success, touring with the likes of Brantley Gilbert and Tim McGraw, but it came at a price. Working through challenges that took him to the brink and back, Bryant’s latest work is “Upbringing.”
On Thursday, Aug. 4, the Fat Bottomed Girls get the party rolling at 7 p.m. This group is a female-fronted rock band showcasing the hits of Queen, Heart, Pat Benator, Joan Jett and others. Following at 8:30 p.m., The Springsteen Experience: A Tribute to the Boss will be on stage. The show is described as a theatrical production that accurately replicates the near circus-like appeal of an authentic Springsteen concert.
The Friday, Aug. 5 main stage gets going at 6:30 with Loyer’s band providing a high-energy show that plays rockin’ and heartfelt country. The featured act follows at 8 with Ford, a multi-talented individual (rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur and former professional golfer among his talents) who has a long list of hits and has sold more than 3 million albums.
The Saturday finale on Aug. 6 will feature Yesterday: The Beatles Tribute at 7 p.m., and Kenny Metcalf as Elton, The Early Years at 8:30. The Beatles show has had rave reviews and the endorsement of Paul McCartney. In the Elton show, Metcalf recreates the legendary, flamboyant legend in each performance.
That’s a rundown of the entertainment. Of course, there’s also the rodeo, carnival and everything else that makes the fair a fun time.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).