Big names and a brand new Grandstand will headline the 45th Annual North Dakota State Fair. The Fair stays true to its commitment of bringing in top name entertainment with Brooks & Dunn, KISS, Alana Grace, Eric Church, The Band Perry, Buckcherry, Darius Rucker and Sugarland who will all be performing at the State Fair, July 23-31.
The Brooks & Dunn Last Rodeo Tour will be kicking off the 2010 Fair on Friday, July 23. Additional country concerts include Eric Church with special guest The Band Perry on Sunday night and wrapping up the last weekend of the State Fair will be country crossover Darius Rucker on Friday, July 30 and Sugarland on Saturday, July 31. The Grandstand Showpass is also back for another year and includes admission into each of the country concerts as well as the auto events.
KISS will be the first rock act to perform in the new Grandstand on Saturday, July 24. “This is going to be a huge concert. We worked hard to get KISS here and we’re very excited to see that our Fairgoers feel the same way,” commented Renae Korslien, State Fair General Manager. The second rock act at this year’s Fair, Buckcherry, will take to the stage on Thursday, July 29.
Ticket sales for each of the rock concerts and the Grandstand Showpass have been very strong. “If we were in the old grandstand we would already be out of reserved tickets for each of the concerts, fortunately we have the new Grandstand to fill up so there are plenty of great tickets remaining,” added Korslien. The new Grandstand will now seat over 7,000 fans compared to 3,500 in the old facility. The new facility will also feature more leg space in the seating area and fans with disabilities will enjoy more wheelchair area and easy accessibility. The new pub, the Carousel with seating for 100 indoor and 80 outside, covers 7,500 square feet, compared to 4,875 in the old Pub. The concourse, with 20,640 square feet, dwarfs the 1,400 square feet previously available, and seven concession stands will assure better service. The one thing about the new Grandstand that most people seem to be excited about is the 105 women’s and 82 men’s bathrooms.
Additional entertainment such as two nights of NPRA Championship Bull-Riding, the NDSF Ranch Rodeo Championships, Enduro Race, Demo Derby and The Front Fenders and Collector’s Car Show will keep Fairgoers on the edge of their seats. Free entertainment for this summer will include The Elephant and Tiger Encounter, The Extreme Canines, Daryl’s Racing Pigs, The Polyjesters, The Michael D Band, The High Diver Show and much more on the 10 free stages located throughout the Fairgrounds. Don’t forget about the State’s largest carnival and all the Fair Food one can handle.
The State Fair is much more than stage entertainment. Fair officials are proud of the sprawling machinery and industrial exhibits, three packed commercial buildings provide tons of shopping, this doesn’t even begin to take into account the many 4-H, FFA, horse and livestock shows featuring everything from bunnies to beef. Many visitors love the Fair’s quiet places: the sandbox and petting zoo in Kids Kingdom, the Comfort Zone in Kid’s Clubhouse for feeding and changing children, and the Fur Traders Rendezvous, an oasis of history in the heart of the Fair.
The North Dakota State Fair has a remarkable reputation among other members of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. “Our fellow Fair members envy our large facility and the safety, cleanliness and the “family friendly” atmosphere we work hard to expand. As proud as we are of our buildings and grounds, we know it is people — staff, volunteers and workers — that make this gathering a superb showcase for our state and Fairgoers,” added Korslien.
