Grandstand shows featuring Gilbert Brantley and Mitchell Tenpenny, a "Salute the Troops" event featuring World War II tanks and a Kids Corral highlight the Morgan County Fair.
Gate admission, including parking, is $5 daily and free on the last day of the fair, which runs July 9-14.
The fairgrounds is located at 110 N. Westgate Ave. in Jacksonville.
Visitors can learn about the history of the fair at an exhibit at the Jacksonville Area Museum, 301 E. State St. The temporary display was put together by students at Routt Catholic High School.
Here are some highlights:
Brantley Gilbert
What: Country rocker Brantley Gilbert ("Bottoms Up," “Country Must Be Country Wide”, "You Don't Know Her Like I Do") has collaborated with Toby Keith, HARDY, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean. Last year, he toured with Nickleback.
Singer-songwriter and Charleston, Illinois, native Matt Schuster is also on the bill.
Where: Fairgrounds Grandstand
When: 7:30 p.m., July 13
Mitchell Tenpenny
What: Mitchell Tenpenny ("Drunk Me," "We Got History," "Bigger Mistakes") returns to Jacksonville after opening for Scottie McCreery in 2021.
Tenpenny has been out supporting Luke Combs and Jordan Davis, who plays at the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 13.
Sara Evans, who has had a host of hits, including a remake of Edwin McCain's "I Could Not Ask For More," is the opener.
Where: Fairgrounds Grandstand
When: 7:30 p.m., July 12
'Salute the Troops'
What: The free veterans recognition will afford the public a rare up close and personal look at World War II era tanks from WW2Armor and featured in "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers."
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director and U.S. Army veteran Jerry Costello II, who served in Operation Desert Storm, will keynote the event.
Where: Fairgrounds Pavilion
When: 6 p.m., July 10
Veterans can register here for the event.
Kids Corral
What: The free fun for kids 10 and under includes a pedal tractor obstacle course, a corn play area, a cow milking simulator, a Lego competition, bee demonstrations, magicians, balloon artists and more.
Where: Merchants Building
When: 1 to 3 p.m. July 13 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14
Truck and tractor pulls
What: Included are pro stock, local trucks, an antique division and more.
Where: Fairgrounds Grandstand
When: 4:30 p.m., July 14
Tickets are $20-$25.
'90s Nite
What: The evening features Chicago cover band Sushi Roll, kicked off by the musical bingo game, Slingo.
Where: Fairgrounds Pavilion
When: 6 p.m., July 11
Open to the general public
A full schedule of events is at the fair's website.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
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