Yes, my friends and fellow fairgoers, it's once again fair time in Springfield as the Illinois State Fair comes to town and transforms our fair city into a "fair city" practically overnight. Fair or not, it's our party to host and there's hardly another singular event that I could think of that impacts our community as does the ISF. Any way you look at it, things change for the length of the "fair effect" and of course, live music is a big part of it all. So let's see what's going on on the grounds and outside the gates, too. Fair enough?
From chatter I hear, there's been a good reaction to the Grandstand shows happening this year, as someone got the memo to book some artists that touch diverse audiences while still being big-name names. The Grandstand lineup is always top news with lots of hoopla involved, but I personally like the varied and smaller acts around the grounds.
Yeah, I'm a sucker for acts at the Village of Cultures (formerly called Ethnic Village) such as the Waterloo German Band, Zydeco Voodoo Band, Terran's Greek Band and the St. Andrew's Dancers. Plus, it's hard to argue with the several food booths and beer choices right there along with trees for shade and benches for sitting.
The Illinois Wine Experience inside the Artisans Building is a spot where the air is nicely conditioned (real restrooms, too) and presents mostly singer-songwriter types (yes, I'm included there) on the weekends.
Pop up stages include the Apex Stage near the Grandstand generally featuring up-and-coming acts and the Grand Central Stage located at the south end of the Reisch Pavilion (old Food-a-Rama) hosting established artists in the evening (such as The Steel Woods, Marshall Tucker Band, Gin Blossoms and Kylie Morgan) with area musicians and others covering the remaining times. The Lincoln Stage features continuous entertainment mixing music along with other stuff, too.
Oh dear, what would the fair be without the beer tents and the bands that play them? We're down to Miller Lite, Coors Light and Bud Light as our beer benefactors for 2024 with most of the music being made by Springfield-area groups. And as you might imagine, that's quite a boon for local musicians. Along with getting an opportunity to play on a bigger stage than you'll find in most of our regular venues, it's also a chance for exposure to a larger audience and to make a few extra bucks while making music. Suffice it to say, if you can't find live music at the Illinois State Fair, I am afraid that's your problem and, honestly, it will more than likely find you.
As the whole town is a-buzz with fair-connected activities, usually our regular watering holes that book live music are busier than usual – depending on what's happening at the fair and when – especially those places on the north end, close to the fairgrounds proper. Other venues do special events for the occasion, including the Curve Inn's annual tradition of hosting the SouthSide Fair, where popular local cover bands and other surprise groups hit the stage nightly, with fair-style eats and libations, including those ubiquitous corn dogs and lemonade shake-ups (though these are vodka-infused), available for purchase and consumption.
If that's not enough stuff, be aware that nomination voting for the annual Best of Springfield, presented by your favorite newsweekly, Illinois Times, opens Aug. 8 and closes on Aug. 19.
Now go have some fair fun and be sure to check our music listings for all the other goings-on, plus a more detailed roundup of live music at the fair on page 21.
