Keeping things new and exciting continue to be a top priority for those running the Steele County Free Fair, and this year organizers once again have set out to bring unique experiences to their guests.
On Wednesday, the SCFF announced the concert lineup for the 2024 grandstand. This year’s musical entertainment on the big stage includes up-and-coming country star Hailey Whitters (Wednesday night), rock ‘n roll icons cover band Snake Oil (Thursday night), and Nashville star Chris Janson (Friday night).
“This is exciting. The entire Fair Board has been really excited while putting this all together,” said Fair Manager Scott Kozelka. He added that each show will be one you “don’t want to miss.”
Having three consecutive nights of musical acts at the grandstand has been a newer tradition, and it is one Kozelka says is not an easy order to fill.
“It is incredibly tough trying to get these shows lined up — there are a lot of moving parts trying to get acts booked,” Kozelka said, noting the “out of this world” cost is only one factor. “One of the big things is when we are trying to put a program together, we have to deal with routing restrictions. Our fair is at the end of the season, so that means we are dealing with Iowa, western Wisconsin and most of Minnesota where routing limits throws us out of the running for certain acts.”
Most musicians have contracts that prohibit them from performing within a certain timeframe and distance radius from another show, and Kozelka said most of these performers will not book a year-plus in advance, wedging the SCFF into a difficult position with all the other fairs, festivals and events occurring throughout the summer months in the midwest.
Regardless of it being a mountainous task, Kozelka says the Fair Board is committed to making it happen year after year, especially following the results of the community-wide branding over the past year-plus, identifying a need for more entertainment options a priority for those living in and visiting Owatonna.
Glenda Smith, director of conventions and tourism with the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, said through the branding initiative, it was seen that the SCFF is “by far” the one thing that those living outside of Owatonna identify and recognize Owatonna for — being the home to the state’s largest county fair that just so happens to also be free.
“That is a big deal for us in many ways because often the fair is someone first experience of Owatonna,” Smith said. “With visitors coming into the community for the fair, they may not see the whole town but if they have a good experience hopefully they will come back.”
In terms of entertainment, Smith said having a variety of entertainment options — even within fair week — is vital to allowing the community to continue to support additional events and concerts, because it brings in outside visitors who help funnel the money into those opportunities.
“You can spend a lot less money here than when you see someone at the Xcel Center, all while having a great time at the Steele County Free Fair,” Kozelka said. “Come out and have a good time.”
General admission tickets and VIP packages are on sale now at SCFF.org. General admission tickets will allow fairgoers to either sit in the grandstand bleachers or stand in the pit for each show.
The SCFF crew is still working on securing sponsors for each show.
Hailey Whitters
Hailey Whitters’ career skyrocketed as she kicked off 2023 with her late night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, soon followed by performances on The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Today Show. In May, Whitters took home the Academy of Country Music Award for New Female Artist of the Year and performed her hit single “Everything She Ain’t” during the broadcast. The breakthrough single appeared on her 2022 studio album Raised, which, like her 2020 album The Dream, appeared on over 15 year-end best-of lists, and was named Rolling Stone’s No. 1 country album of the year. “Everything She Ain’t” marked her first ever top 20 single at country radio, which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart earlier this year and has been played more than 175 million times on TikTok, inspiring multiple trends on the platform.
Following a headline tour and tours with Shania Twain and Dierks Bentley, Whitters is in the midst of a festival-packed summer season before touring with Eric Church and Luke Bryan later this year.
Whitters followed her critically-acclaimed album Raised with a brand new-six song EP I’m In Love. Where The Dream focused on Whitters’ experience in Nashville and Raised looked back on her life in the heartland, I’m In Love finds her tapping into her ‘90s country influences while exploring relationships, heartbreak and finding love.
Kozelka said for those who loved Maddie & Tae at the SCFF in 2022, Whitters will deliver the same atmosphere and high-level performance for everyone of all ages to enjoy and sing along to.
Hailey Whitters will take the main stage at the SCFF grandstand on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Snake Oil
Under the “Ikons of Rock” banner, Snake Oil is known for impersonating ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s rock stars and beyond both musically and visually, with spectacular costumes, hilarious audience interaction and an array of incredible special effects. Their over-the-top theatrics are complemented with masterful illusions and video support. Snake Oil has a cast of world-class accomplished musicians, singers, both male and female to ensure an authentic and energetic arena rock show experience.
Snake Oil has had the honor to share concert stages with The Beach Boys, Whitesnake, Starship, Cheap Trick, Night Ranger, Rick Springfield, The Guess Who, Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Slaughter, Great White, Warrant, Bret Michaels, and many other notable groups. Both Dee Snider of Twisted Sister and Stephen Pearcy of Ratt have joined Snake Oil as special guests, at past performances.
Though the first time in the SCFF grandstand, this is not the band’s first appearance at the fair. Snake Oil appeared in the Beer Garden in 2018.
Snake Oil will take the main stage at the SCFF grandstand on Thursday, Aug. 15.
Chris Janson
Described as a “live legacy in the making” by Rolling Stone, Chris Janson is a multi-platinum recording artist, celebrated entertainer, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning singer/songwriter.
The ACM Award- winner has collected prestigious accolades that place him amongst country music greats. Both his inspiring hit “Drunk Girl” (ACM Winner — Video of the Year) and his chart-topping, four-time Platinum smash “Buy Me A Boat” were named among NSAI’s “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” lists – making Janson one in a handful of the industry’s most elite artists to earn the title multiple times. “Buy Me A Boat” was also recognized as the iHeartRadio Music Awards Country Song of the Year. “Good Vibes,” the flagship single from his 2019 album Real Friends, and follow-up “Done” each topped the country charts. Now, Janson is entering a new chapter with his fifth studio album The Outlaw Side of Me, released last summer.
Working alongside Oscar-nominated and GRAMMY®-winning producer Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell, Cheap Trick, Insane Clown Posse), Janson’s new album, The Outlaw Side of Me, showcases the outlaw, to the rowdy rocker, the romantic, and the full-throttle performer that is Chris Janson. The lead single from the new record, “All I Need Is You,” recently took the #1 spot at Country radio, making this his fifth #1 career single.
Janson will take the main stage at the SCFF grandstand on Friday, Aug. 16.
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