The Evergreen State Fair in Monroe celebrates Snohomish County agriculture, but the 12-day event — Aug. 24 through Sept. 4 — offers something fun for everyone, and that’s especially so on the fair’s entertainment stages.
On the Courtyard Stage inside the fair grounds, local and regional acts set to perform include dancers, magicians, bands and karaoke singers.
One of the big draws at the fair is always the grandstand concert series, which starts Monday. This year, the lineup includes the Christian duo For King &Country, country singer Josh Turner, rocker Joan Jett and her Blackhearts, pop star Kenny Loggins and country star Trace Adkins.
Joel and Luke Smallbone, the Australian brothers who make up the Christian band For King &Country, have won Grammy awards and lots of praise for their work, including their songs “Fix My Eyes,” “Light It Up” and “Shoulders.” They perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28. Tickets are $29 to $44 (with a group discount available), and as with all the grandstand shows, the price includes admission to the fair as well.
Popular country recording artist Josh Turner takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29. Tickets for his show are $32-$55. Some of Turners biggest hits are “Hometown Girl,” “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance?” and “Time is Love.” Rolling Stone magazine said “Hometown Girl” pairs the South Carolina native’s “unmistakable country-to-the-core baritone with a modern, rollicking beat.”
Joan Jett &The Blackhearts bring rock ‘n’ roll to the fair at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30. Tickets are priced at $32-$55. Jett, currently on a tour of numerous state fairs and casinos around the country, is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the Puget Sound region, Jett also is known for her work honoring the slain Seattle punk singer Mia Zapata. Jett and Zapata’s band The Gits recorded a live album, and Jett donated proceeds to help fund the investigation of Zapata’s murder. Jett, 58, is famous for the songs “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Bad Reputation” and “Dirty Deeds.”
Kenny Loggins, now 69, was born in Everett. His family moved to California when he was a kid and he formed a band right out of high school and played in others. Loggins wrote songs for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and, then in 1970, teamed up with Jim Messina, who had played with Poco and Buffalo Springfield. After the duo parted ways, Loggins wrote with Michael McDonald, sang with Stevie Nicks, Steve Perry and others, and then recorded many songs for movie soundtracks, including “Caddyshack” and “Footloose.” Loggins plays at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31. Tickets are $35-$58.
The finale concert of the series is with Trace Adkins at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1, with tickets going for $35-$48. Along with his award-winning country music career, Adkins has been on TV shows, including “Austin City Limits,” “Hollywood Squares,” “Pyramid,” “All Star Celebrity Apprentice” and as the voice of Elvin on “King of the Hill.” He also has appeared in a number of movies.
Longtime Courtyard Stage producer and booking agent Kimi Shintaku has lined up a variety of entertainment, which includes the Evergreen State Super Star karaoke contest through Sunday.
■ Today you can hear country singer Marcia Kester and the Erandolin Strings Celtic Band, watch the Reptile Man and the Aztec Indian Dancers, and participate in the bubble gum blowing contest at 4 p.m.
■ Highlights on Seahawk Blue Friday include shows by Steve the Pretty Good funny magician, Arlington School of Dance, Katelyn &the Roosevelts playing bluegrass and gospel, classic rock band Jette and the belching contest at 3 p.m.
■ Saturday’s lineup on Race Day includes Art in Motion, the Fentons singing country and Hokulani’s Hula Studio.
■ On Fiesta Sunday, the performers include New Age Flamenco, Bailadores de Bronce folkloric dancers, Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana and the Aztec Dancers.
■ Senior Citizen Day is Monday, with the Antique Kids doing line dancing, the Under the Radar vocal quartet, the Silver Steppers, the Illusion of Elvis tribute show, Cheryl Arnold &the Blue Mariah Country Band and the Moonlight Swing Orchestra playing big band tunes in the evening.
■ Two-for-one Tuesday features Louie Foxx’s one-man side show and the Marina Christopher Trio.
■ Family Day on Aug. 30 includes performances by the Honky Tonk Sweethearts singing retro country, another bubble gum blowing contest and the Marlin James Band performing in the evening.
■ Kids Day on Aug. 31 features Master Ji’s Tae Kwon Do show, The Wild Wacky West Show, the Eric Haines one-man variety show and a pie eating contest.
■ Sept. 1 is Armed Forces Day, and the entertainment includes Sunday Speed Trap, Douglas County Daughters playing Americana, the Army band called Modern Frequency, the Monroe Concert Band, the Woodland West bluegrass band and inspirational rock from the band Maddex.
■ Rodeo Day on Sept. 2 features The Shed Players with old time blues, the Harvey Creek Band, Granite Falls School of Dance, Marina &the Dreamboats soul band and Likewise Lily playing rock in the evening.
■ On Sept. 3, which is Derby Day, see the Leight Fantastic’s annual musical review, hear Marc Bristol singing pop and folk, Stop the Panic’s rock show, the Second Hand News tribute to Fleetwood Mac, the Common Ground vocal quintet, Bethany Ames singing pop songs and The Neverminds’ tribute to Nirvana.
■ On Labor Day, the last day of the fair, enjoy the diaper derby contest at 2:45 p.m. and hear the Monroe Tiny Jazz Orchestra, as well as Dave Bunker and Todd &Jeff singing retro pop.
Producer Shintaku, now 79, says she likes to offer shows that appeal to the average 8-year-old child.
“I want kids to stop their families and ask to sit and listen,” she said.
When pressed for some favorites, she will admit she likes the Illusion of Elvis show, Eric Haines’ one-man band and the Second Hand News tribute band.
“They are excellent,” Shintaku said. “But I love all my people, especially those who show up on time, play in tune, look good, respect the audience and have a good time. It’s pretty simple.”
Evergreen State Fair entertainment
Grandstand tickets are available online at etix.com, by calling 800-514-3849, or in person at the fair’s adminstration office at the south end of the carnival area, 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe, just off of U.S. 2. Concert tickets also include fair admission.
Pick up a Courtyard Stage schedule when you enter the fair, which is Aug. 24 to Sept. 4, opening at 10 a.m. each day. Admission is free for children age 5 and younger, $8 for kids through age 15, $12 for ages 16 to 61, $8 for military with ID, $8 for ages 62 to 89, and free for ages 90 and older.
More information is at www.evergreenfair.org.
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