When Grange Fair comes around in August (except last year), it means different things to individuals. For some, it’s a chance to see family and friends that they haven’t seen in a while. That’s two years for many people due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
The vacation aspect is the top reason for some — a week away from the daily stresses of running a home, holding down a job, operating a business or in some cases, all three.
Even those who must travel back to the farm to check on things still find that being at the fair brings an easing of their anxieties and worries.
There are many choices for entertainment, and people highly anticipate the daily music shows at the Jubilee Grove, the Southside Stage or the Grandstand. Many folks at the fair plan their day around the food they want and the shows they choose.
The Grandstand in the evenings is a popular way to close out the day and relax. That is where visitors find the more familiar names in country music, pop, rock, and jazz. County fairs were a starting arena for many of the stars seen on television and in concert.
The afternoon performances are a chance to see lots of local talent. Most of the acts are from no further than Jersey Shore. The Grange Fair gives these entertainers a chance to be seen and widen their base of fans.
The Grandstand highlight this year is Grammy-award winner Eddie Montgomery, who will take the Grandstand at 8 p.m. on Friday.
He was formerly part of Montgomery Gentry. After Troy Gentry died in a helicopter crash in 2017 Montgomery kept the Gentry name for a while, but eventually dropped it to perform as Eddie Montgomery.
He has won CMA, Academy of Country Music and Grammy Awards and is known for his blue-collar anthems.
Kris McCloskey, the Grange Fair entertainment chairperson, said, “I follow Resurrection … a Journey tribute band, and I know they are popular with many fair-goers. But, probably the most requested of the new acts this year is Gabby Barrett.”
Barrett recently earned ACM’s New Female Artist of the Year award. She was a contestant on American Idol in 2018.
Since then, she has opened for Toby Keith, Sugarland and Keith Urban, to name a few. Barrett is at the Grandstand at 8 p.m on Monday.
“… a treat with outstanding voices” is how Grange Fair entertainment chairperson Kris McCloskey described the Friday, Aug. 24 Grandstand show — The Texas Toners.
“They don’t usually do fairs, but are more of a concert or theater act,” McCloskey said.
“The Texas Tenors are very popular with those who have seen them. Some people are coming from Maine to see them again.
Drew Parker is the epitome of “country” — moving from a small town in Georgia to Nashville to further his career.
Parker co-wrote, with his friend Luke Combs, “This One’s For You,” which became part of a platinum album. Parker is at the Grandstand at 8 p.m. on Aug. 27.
Grandstand shows are free with paid admission to the fair.
8 P.M. AT THE GRANDSTAND
Friday, Aug. 20
Eddie Montgomery — Country
Saturday, Aug. 21
Popstar Drive — Jukebox Hits of the 70s through today
Sunday, Aug. 22
David Zentner and the Nashville Music Co. — Country
Monday, Aug. 23
Gabby Barrett — Country
Tuesday, Aug. 24
The Texas Tenors — Country
Wednesday, Aug. 25
We Are Messengers — Christian rock
Thursday, Aug. 26
Resurrection — A Journey tribute
Friday, Aug. 27
Drew Parker- Country
Saturday, Aug. 28
Mac Powell — Christian rock
DAYTIME ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, Aug. 20
3:30 and 5 p.m. — Quarterstick — Classic Rock 80s, 90s — Southside Stage
4:30 and 6 p.m. — Jeff Orrin — Country — Jubilee Grove
Saturday, Aug. 21
4:30 and 6 p.m. — The Wake Robins — Acoustic trio — Jubilee Grove
6:15 p.m. — Brush Mountain Band — Bluegrass — Southside Stage
Sunday, Aug. 22
11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. — Lite Switch — Top 40s from 50 years — Southside Stage
Noon and 2 p.m. — Buffalo Mountain Bluegrass Band — Jubilee Grove
3:30 and 5 p.m. — Kristi Jean and her “Ne’er Do Wells” — Traditional country and rockabilly — Southside Stage
4 p.m. — David Zentner and the Nashville Music Company — Grandstand
4:30 and 6 p.m. — Cadillac Cats — Blues — Jubilee Grove
Monday, Aug. 23
3 and 5 p.m. — Stephanie and the Wild Hearts — Country — Southside Stage
4:30 and 6 p.m. — Uncle Same Band — Rock and blues — Jubliee Grove
Tuesday, Aug. 24
Noon and 2 p.m. — Heather Olsen — Patsy Cline and country tribute artist — Jubilee Grove
3 and 4:30 p.m. — Dennis Heckard Sr. — Elvis tribute — Jubilee Grove
3:30 and 5 p.m. — Cone of Silence — Rock, Progressive — at Southside Stage
Wednesday, Aug. 25
Noon and 1:30 p.m. — Eclectic Acoustics — Jubilee Grove
3 and 5 p.m. — Eastern Standards — Jazz — Southside Stage
4:30 and 6 p.m. — Ramalama — 50s and 60s, acappella and doowop — Jubilee Grove
Thursday, Aug. 26
6:30 and 7:30 p.m. — Remington Ryde — Bluegrass — Southside Stage
Friday, Aug. 27
3 and 5:30 p.m. — Timeless Band — Soft rock, pop, classic rock and oldies — Southside Stage
4:30 and 6 p.m. — B & S — Jazz — Jubilee Grove
Saturday, Aug. 28
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — Ryan Carter — Acoustic rock, 50s to present — Jubilee Grove
Noon and 2 p.m. — Bone Jacked — Classic southern rock — Southside Stage
4:30 and 6 p.m. — Acoustic Artifacts — Classic rock — Jubilee Grove
4:30 and 6 p.m. — Echoes Classic Rock Band — Classic rock — Southside Stage
This story appears in the Aug. 19-25 edition of the Centre County Gazette.
