2002 Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand Line-Up to Feature Award-Winning Country Music, Popular Local Entertainment and an Evening of Comedy

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Award-winning country group Lonestar and rising country music star Sara Evans will headline the grandstand entertainment for the 2002 Du Quoin State Fair, Governor George H. Ryan announced today.

"Last year's grandstand lineup brought in record crowds to the Du Quoin State Fair, and we think this year's performers will do just as well," Ryan said. "We have some top-notch concerts booked with ticket prices that are hard to beat."

Lonestar, recently named Vocal Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music and Country Artist of the Year by American Songwriter Magazine, will open the grandstand entertainment at the Du Quoin State Fair Saturday, Aug. 24, while pop/rock group Lifehouse will close the fair's musical entertainment Sunday, Sept. 2.

Trick Pony, the Academy of Country Music's Top New Vocal Group, and Keith Urban will take the stage the second night of the fair, Aug. 25. The following night will feature an evening of Southern Gospel music.

Evans will be the featured entertainer on Tuesday, Aug. 27, an evening that will also include the Colgate Country Showdown - Southern Illinois State Finals.

Redheaded comedian Carrot Top will perform Wednesday, Aug. 28. The next night features a free concert that includes the Sentimental Journey Revue, the Colgate Country Showdown - Northern Illinois State Finals, and the Big Country Salute to America.

Local favorites Sweet Kay Tee Jay, the Jungle Dogs and Wild Horses will share the stage Aug. 30. On Aug. 31, country artist Sawyer Brown returns to the Du Quoin grandstand stage.

The True Legends of Pop, including Bobby Vee, Tommy Roe, Johnny Preston, Brian Hyland and Shirley Alston Reeves, former lead singer of the Shirelles, will turn back the clock for the Sept. 1 show.

All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., except the Gospel show on Aug. 26, which starts at 7 p.m., and the free show on Aug. 29, which begins at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the Gospel show are $12 for orchestra and lower box seats and $8 for the upper grandstand seats. Admission to all other concerts is $18.

In addition to musical performers, the grandstand also will be the site for the World Trotting Derby Aug. 31, the USAC Silver Crown Series Sept. 1 and the Southern Illinois 100 ARCA Super Series Sept. 2.

Tickets for the World Trotting Derby are $10 for reserved seats and $5 for general admission. Tickets for both auto races are $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Ticket sales will be by mail order until July 17, when the ticket windows at the fairgrounds open. Mail orders must be postmarked June 12 or later. Forms can be obtained by calling the ticket office at (618) 542-1535.

A complete lineup follows.