Christina Aguilera to Join Favorites Beach Boys and Brooks and Dunn at 2000 State Fair

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the 2000 Illinois State Fair concert lineup featuring a mix of pop superstars and longtime fair favorites.

The grandstand entertainment for the 2000 State Fair will open with teen sensation Christina Aguilera and finish with the first State Fair performance of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Karen Deal.

"The Illinois State Fair continues to offer top-notch entertainment to draw people from all across the state," Ryan said. "And with this year's lineup, we look forward to building upon the record-breaking success of last year's State Fair."

The homestate twinbill of 70s rock bands REO Speedwagon and Styx will take the grandstand stage the second night of the State Fair, Aug. 12. Pop duo Savage Garden makes a return trip to the State Fair on August 14, followed by the legendary Neville Brothers on Aug. 15.

State Fair favorites, the Beach Boys will perform with special guest Johnny Rivers on Aug. 15. Coors Light presents Brooks and Dunn with Andy Griggs on the first of two nights of country, Aug. 16.

GRANDSTAND

The grandstand stage will take a break on Thursday night as the State Fair offers the first ever nighttime tractor pull.

Clint Black and Pam Tillis kick off the final weekend of the 2000 fair, followed by An Evening With Def Leppard on Saturday, Aug. 19 and the grand finale by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and fireworks by the world famous Zambelli International.

Ryan also announced that all grandstand tickets sold prior to Aug. 4 will include a single admission to the 2000 Illinois State Fair.

Illinois State Fair grandstand tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at the Grandstand Box Office and at Ticketmaster outlets. Track ticket sales will begin a week later on June 24.

Phone orders for grandstand tickets can be placed at the Ticket Office by calling 217/782-1979, TDD 217/524-9833 or at Ticketmaster at 800/827-8927, TDD 800/359-2525. Mail orders will be accepted with a postmark of June 5, 2000, or later at: the Illinois State Fair Ticket Office, P.O. Box 19427, Springfield, Illinois 62794.

No phone or walk-up orders will be accepted before June 10. All sales are final. The fair does not provide refunds or exchanges on ticket purchases.

The Illinois State Fair runs August 10 - 20, 2000.