The newly merged Wilson County Fair-Tennessee State Fair (Tennessee’s largest) will get the ball rolling in Lebanon on Aug 12 and will not bid a funnel-caked farewell until Aug 21.
That said, if you’d rather take only your ears for a thrill ride, fair enough. Strap in for exceedingly good music night after night, with several separate stages for a metaphorical musical merry-go-round of sound.
The Frontmen of Country with Janelle Arthur appear on the Entertainment Stage on Monday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. The group features three singers known for their stints with three top country bands: Larry Stewart (currently of Restless Heart), Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas) and Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar). You could certainly say they’ve seen the roller coaster ride that is the music biz.
Collectively, these three have sold over 30 million records and have had over 50 Top 40 hits among them. The Frontmen deliver a high-energy show packed with fan favorites, trading verses, choruses (and barbs) from their trio of award-winning and critically-acclaimed careers.
Arthur is an American Idol top-five finalist who grew up in the Smoky Mountains. She’s blessed to have had a relatively un-rocky start, performing early on at Dollywood as a young Dolly Parton, and in 2018 starring in and writing the title track for the faith-based film Runnin’ From My Roots. She even got to record and release her co-written “Hand Me Downs” with Parton herself earlier in 2021 (with a portion of its sales benefiting Parton’s Imagination Library).
With so many stages of entertainment during the 10 days of the fair, every night will be filled with an abundance of things to see and do. Hank’s Honky Tonk favorite Karree Phillips is among the approximately 30 performers to take to the Community Stage, while “Jukebox Junkie” Ken Mellons and young son Kash sing on Saturday, Aug. 14 (chances are good they’ll sing the one that brought them and earned Ken his “Junkie” nickname) as one of the artists scheduled for the distinguished Opry Stage.
The next night is dubbed “WSM Night”; in other words, it’s a bag of mystery. Wednesday, Aug. 18, spotlights Grammy Award winner and longtime Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely with (MTSU alum) Erin Enderlin.
Friday, Aug. 20, catch Grand Ole Opry veteran and piano showman Tim Atwood and guests, including fiddler extraordinaire Megan Mullins (member of the band Side Piece and fresh off the road touring with the boys in the band Alabama).
All shows on the Opry Stage start at 6:45 p.m. There’ll even be beefcake on hand (if you’re into that kind of thing) in the form of Lance Pekus, who is headed to the finals in Season 13 of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior. The Cowboy Ninja Warrior will be on site for meet-and-greets as well as showcasing the “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner Ninja Course” during the entire fair.
So come on out for a chance to listen to the bluegrass (plenty of which will be taking place on the historic Fiddler’s Grove Backporch Stage) and country music, watch the clogging and square-dancing competitions, tractor pulls, the demolition derby and everything in between. (Rumor is there’s even a sphelling bea).
Regular daily admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children, with children 5 and under admitted free. A $45 season ticket is good for admission on all 10 days.
The Wilson County Fair-Tennessee State Fair is located at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center, 945 E. Baddour Pkwy., Lebanon. Gates open weekdays at 5 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sunday at noon. For more information, and a full schedule of entertainment, visit wilsoncountyfair.net.
