FAIR | Top tunes Southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd opens the Grandstand on Friday night with
special guest Bo Bice, who isn’t the only American Idol to shake the stage. Pop sensation Kelly Clarkson hits
the arena with her huge pipes on Saturday night with guest Eric Hutchinson.
Country acts Josh Turner, Jamey Johnson and Chuck Wicks perform on Sunday,
while country legend Montgomery Gentry croons on Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. with
supporting acts Kellie Pickler (another AI alum – the one with the colossal personality), James Otto and Candy Coburn. Saturday,
Aug. 22 you won’t want to miss girl bands Heart, the famous rocking sister duo, and The Bangles,
the 80s pop group who had everyone singing and walking like Egyptians. For
classical music lovers, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra plays a free concert
Monday, Aug. 17.
Illinois State Fair
August 14-23
8pm, except as noted
Grandstand
Illinois State Fairgrounds
782-1979
$15-$30
FAIR | Choice days
Each day of the fair is tagged with a theme. Here are a couple you might want to
attend. Veterans Day, Sunday, August 16, allows veterans and their families
free admission to the grounds. A veteran’s parade and activities are highlights of the day. Futures for Kids Day takes
place Friday, August 21. Many of the activities are centered on younger
fairgoers. Competitions include decorated diaper, diaper derby, ponytail
contest and smile contest. Sunday, August 23 is Violence Prevention – Family
Day. The general admission price is lowered to $2 per person to encourage more
families to enjoy the last day of the fair.
Illinois State Fair
August 14-23
Various times
Various locations
Illinois State Fairgrounds
782-6661
BOOKS | Dollars, quarters and cents
Springfield writer Bud Bartlett, author of the 2009 book Dollars, talks about the dollar coin and bill with Illinois quarter designer Thom
Cicchelli, who shares his experiences with coin design following Bartlett’s presentation. Doors open 9:30 a.m. for free coffee and rolls. Tours of the
poet’s home follow. This program coincides with the U.S. Mint’s first issuance of the new Lincoln Bicentennial penny on Aug. 13 at the Old
State Capitol State Historic Site.
History of the Dollar
Saturday, August 15
10am
Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site
603 S. Fifth Street
524-0901
Free
BAND SPOTLIGHT | Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet began with Suzie Stephens’ desire for a live band at her birthday party. For Suzie it just so happened she
wanted to be the singer in the band so she started her own and played the
party. That was a few years back and personnel has changed some with the
current lineup listing Stephens on lead vocals, Marc Waterman on guitars, Jon
Gentry on bass and Darren Barr on drums. The music covers a variety of popular
tunes from Pat Benatar to Taylor Swift, Judas Priest to Nickelback and a whole
lot of rockin’ stuff in between. The group stays busy nearly every weekend by guaranteeing “to rock the house” wherever they perform. Along with the Bud tent show, the band makes another
state fair appearance on a float in the Thursday night parade. Working from an
All-American theme, band members will dress as Wonder Woman, Uncle Sam, Abe
Lincoln and the Statue of Liberty and play songs such as, R.O.C.K. in the USA, We’re an American Band, Born in the USA, and other patriotic rockers.
Ultraviolet
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 4:30-7pm
Budweiser True Music beer tent, Illinois State Fairgrounds
www.myspace.com/ultravioletrocks
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2009.
