State Fair Announces First Acts

The grandstand lineup at the 2015 Illinois State Fair is beginning to take shape.

Illinois State Fair management announced Sammy Hagar and The Circle will take the stage opening night, August 14.

Hagar has been rocking the music industry for nearly 40 years. In addition to a successful solo career, Hagar is well known as the former lead signer of Van Halen and Montrose. Hagar has produced hits such as “I Can’t Drive 55,” “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy,” and “Three Lock Box.” Joining Hagar as he takes the stage will be fellow musicians Michael Anthony, Vic Johnson and Jason Bonham. The trio call themselves “The Circle.”

Opening for Sammy Hagar and The Circle will be the alternative rock band, Collective Soul. The Atlanta-based band shot to international fame with their 1993 hit song, “Shine.” The band’s other hits include, “December,” “The World I Know,” and “Heavy.” Tickets for Sammy Hagar and The Circle with Collective Soul will range from $48 for VIP seats to $26 for Tier 3 seats.

Also signed up to play at the 2015 Illinois State Fair is country music sensation, and 2014 Academy of Country Music ‘New Artist of the Year’ award winner, Justin Moore. The Arkansas native is best known for hits like, “Small Town USA,” Till My Last Day,” and “Bait a Hook.”

Opening for Moore will be Josh Thompson and Jon Pardi. Ticket prices for the Sunday, August 16 concert will range from $46 for VIP seats to $21 for Tier 3 seats.

Also pulling into Springfield for the 2015 Illinois State Fair will be the country music trio, Rascal Flatts. The group has sold over 22.5 million albums, and is one of the most awarded groups in country music. The group has 15 number one singles, including hits such as “Bless the Broken Road,” “These Days,” and “What Hurts the Most.”

Opening for Rascal Flatts on Tuesday, August 18th will be American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, and Raelynn. Tickets prices will range from $65 for VIP seats to $40 for Tier 3 seats.

Scheduled to take the stage on Saturday, August 22 is 18 years old, singer/songwriter Austin Mahone. The teen sensation, who recently toured with Taylor Swift, picked up an MTV VMA win for “Artist to Watch.” His hits include, “Mmm Yeah” featuring Pitbull, “What About Love” and “Banga! Banga!”

Three artists rising to the top of the country charts will take to the grandstand stage on Sunday, August 23. Brantley Gilbert, Colt Ford, and Michael Ray will roll into Springfield to entertain fans on the closing night of the fair. Gilbert will headline the event. The southern country rocker has racked up five number one singles, was named the 2013 ACM Awards New Male Artist of the Year, and muliple other award show nominations. His hits include, “Bottoms Up,” “Small Town Throwdown,” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” He also wrote the number one hit, “My Kinda Party” and co-wrote “Dirt Road Anthem,” with fellow musician Colt Ford, who will also perform on August 23. Ford is a former professional golfer turn singer/songwriter. Ford is known for songs such as “Drivin’ Around Song,” “Thanks for Listening,” and “Crank It Up.”

Opening for Gilbert will be country newcomer Michael Ray. Tickets will range from $54 for VIP seats to $29 for Tier 3 seats.

Concert tickets for the acts will go on sale Saturday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m. through TicketMaster. The Illinois State Fair does not provide refunds or exchanges on ticket purchases.All sales are final.

Ticket prices for each of the shows are listed below:

August 14: Sammy Hagar and The Circle / Collective Soul

VIP - $48 / Track $36 / Tier 1 - $36 / Tier 2 - $31 / Tier 3 - $26

August 16: Justin Moore / Josh Thompson / Jon Pardi

VIP - $46 / Track $31 / Tier 1 - $31 / Tier 2 - $26 / Tier 3 - $21

August 18: Rascal Flatts / Scotty McCreery / Raelynn

VIP - $65 / Track $50 / Tier 1 - $50 / Tier 2 - $45 / Tier 3 - $40

August 22: Austin Mahone/ TBA
VIP - $48 / Track $36 / Tier 1 - $36 / Tier 2 - $31 / Tier 3 - $26

August 23: Brantley Gilbert / Colt Ford / Michael Ray
VIP - $54 / Track $39 / Tier 1 - $39 / Tier 2 - $34 / Tier 3 - $29

More details regarding ticket sales, special events, and additional grandstand acts will be released in the coming weeks and months. Dates for the 2015 Illinois State Fair are Aug. 13-23.