By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — With August just around the corner, the Illinois State Fair will open in about a month. The Illinois State Fair is from Aug. 10-19, and it offers a variety of grandstand acts this season.

The grandstand opens with country singers Gretchen Wilson and Blaine Larsen on Aug. 10. Cordin Bleu and Drake Bell of the show Josh and Drake with Jordan Pruitt take the stage on Aug. 11. On Aug. 12, rocker Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame, along with 12 Stones, will perform. Aug. 13 will feature classics with the Illinois Symphony orchestra.

On Aug. 17, country music returns with award-winning Martina McBride and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Joe Walsh and the Grand Fund Railroad will play on Aug. 18. The grandstand finale is Sugarland and Joe Nichols on Aug. 19.

Grandstand tickets are available by calling 217-782-1970. Ticket prices range from $20-$35. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. Grandstand tickets are also available from Ticketmaster which can be reached by calling 800-827-8927 or logging onto Ticketmaster.com
Horse lovers have not been left out the Illinois State Fair Grandstand offers harness racing with free entry to the grandstand for the races.

Harness Racing along with exciting pari-mutuel wagering is offered on Aug. 10-11 and Aug. 13 at noon and Aug. 14-16 at 3 p.m.
Racing of a faster variety will be offered at the Illinois State Fair Arena. Pro-Am Arena Cross and Freestyle Motocross will be Aug. 10-11 at 7 p.m.

Truck and tractor pulls will be presented by the Illinois Tractor Pulling Assoc. on Aug. 13-15 at 7:30 p.m.

Sporting events wind up with the PRCA Professional Rodeo at 6 p.m., Aug. 17 and 2 p.m., Aug. 18. The Illinois State Fair website states auto race tickets may be purchased through the fair’s motor sports promoter, Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200, from all Ticketmaster locations, or by visiting or calling the Illinois State Fair Ticket Office.”

The Grandstand ticket office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting July 9, the ticket office is also open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All adults and children 3 years of age and older must have a ticket for concerts and tractor pulls. Car races child age 2-12 are $10.

Tickets may be ordered by mail from the Illinois State Fair Ticket Office, P.O. Box 19427, Springfield, IL 62794-9427
There is also a Gate Admission Booklet that is valid Aug 11-20 that offers 10 Adult Admission Tickets which are transferable and good for any day. These sell for $20 each. Log onto www.illinoisstatefair.com for details.