Ahhhh . . . the smells of the Minnesota State Fair, which opens August 23, and runs through Labor Day. OK, we won’t be focusing on the smells of the fair (some of which are good, and some, well, not so much), but rather we will be focusing on the SOUNDS of the Minnesota State Fair, and specifically, keeping it country with Minnesotacountry.com’s guide to the Minnesota State Fair.
This year’s entertainment lineup at the fair has no shortage of country music artists. From Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, and Rascal Flatts, to local favorites like Greene and Hurst and Maiden Dixie, there is something for every country fan in Minnesota at this year’s fair.
Minnesotacountry.com’s guide to the Minnesota State Fair will be brought to you every night before, and morning of, so you can plan your visits to the fair accordingly. This guide will give you the highlights for opening day, and from this point forward, each morning we will give you the latest and greatest on how to keep it country at the fair! If you have some additional tips on keeping it country at the fair, e-mail them to info@minnesotacountry.com and we will be happy to pass them along to our fans.
Thursday, August 23, 2012 – Opening Day
If you want to sing, in addition to hear some great country music at the fair, stop in at the Great Sing Along anytime between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the north end of the fairgrounds, south of the Pet Center, sponsored by Bremer Bank. After you have sang your lungs out and want to do some listening, we know just where to go.
Stop in and check out Texas on Tour, located east of Heritage Square, as well as check out The Voice Season Three booth, which will feature giveaways, prizes, and “The Voice” chair photo opportunities. This is located on Cooper Street east of the Agriculture Horticulture Building.
Country kicks off right at the fair as JT Hodges will take the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Thursday, Sept. 27 for two FREE performances (3:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.). For his first single, Hodges has come out of the gate with a song about hunting. It does not involve bird calls or camouflage, but rather the most universal pursuit known to man. In a rollicking song that recalls a hot night in “Hunt You Down,” catch-and-release never sounded so steamy.
Country fans are wanting to hunt Hodges down too, after getting a listen to this infectious summer single. Besides “Hunt You Down,” there’s plenty more to be pursued in JT Hodges, the Texas newcomer’s alternately tender and raucous Show Dog – Universal Music debut.
“Country is the first thing I ever remember hearing,” Hodges said. “My grandmother loved Conway Twitty and we used to listen to him all the damn time. If we were over at the house or in the car with her, literally all she ever listened to was Conway, and we would be like, ‘Turn it off!’—because it was eight hours a day!”
Also to watch for Thursday night:
- The county fair talent contest at the Family Fair Stage in Baldwin Park at 7:00 p.m.
- T. Texas Terry’s Comedy Wild West Show on the same stage at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and also 3 p.m.
- The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra will perform at the International Bazaar Stage at 3:15, 4:30, and 5:45 p.m.
- Betty Rydell (a Medina Entertainment Center favorite) and Randi Rae will perform at the Ramberg Senior Center Stage at 3:15, 4:30, and 5:45 p.m.
- Our listed band Greene and Hurst will be playing in “The Gardens” building from 7:00pm – 11:00pm. This is a show NOT to miss!
Also, don’t forget to stop by your favorite country radio station booths at the fair – K102 will be located on Nelson Street (O26 on your official Minnesota State Fair map), and BUZ’N Country will be located on Judson Avenue (V30 on your official Minnesota State Fair map). Both radio stations will be doing prize giveaways, contests, and broadcasting live from the fair! Stop by and see your favorite radio personalities and try to win some cool country gear!
STATE FAIR TRIVIA: Each day in this update, we will be doing state fair country trivia! The person who gets the most correct answers over the course of the fair will receive a prize from Minnesotacountry.com. Submit your answer via e-mail to info@minnesotacountry.com, or post them on our Facebook wall at www.facebook.com/MinnesotaCountry and we’ll announce the winner after the fair! To sign up for more great prizes click HERE to see what we have to offer!
TODAY’S QUESTION: George Strait performed at the Minnesota State Fair in 1989 with Billy Joe Royal and Highway 101. What Minnesota town is Highway 101 lead singer Paulette Carlson’s hometown? (Hint – it is also the home of a major country music festival). Submit your guesses now!
Ryan Gueningsman is at ryan.gueningsman@minnesotacountry.com or can be found on Facebook.