Tunes and Traditions at the Grange Fair

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette .

CENTRE HALL — Musical performances are a staple of the Centre County Grange Fair . To celebrate 150 years of tunes and traditions, this year’s fair has a lineup of impressive performers.

Eight concerts, starting at 8 p.m. each night, will take place during the fair. All performances are free for fairgoers.

“This year the Centre County Grange Fair will celebrate its 150th anniversary. It’s always exciting to see families and friends reuniting at the fair,” Kris McKloskey, head of entertainment for the Grange Fair, said. “Sometimes this is the only time throughout the year that you see your fair neighbors.”

People can connect with their neighbors by attending the musical performances together.

“We strive for some ’90s country music, Christian artists, typically some type of tribute group and something for the older generations,” McCloskey shared while discussing the process of making the musical selections each year.

Don’t miss the following performances at this year’s fair:

Friday, Aug. 16, at 8 p.m. — Jo Dee Messina

Jo Dee Messina is a country singer and founder of Dreambound Records. Messina will make her return to the Grange Fair, having last performed at it in 2017.

Messina is a two-time Grammy nominated artist who has also been honored by the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. She charted six number-one singles on the Billboard country music charts and was the first female country artist to score three multiple-week number-one songs from the same album.

She is currently on her “Heads Carolina Tails California Tour.” The Grange Fair is the fifth stop on the tour.

Saturday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m. — Anne Wilson

Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, Anne Wilson is known for her unique sound that is a mix of contemporary Christian music and country. Wilson got her start from her hit song “My Jesus,” which became gold-certified No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Wilson has multiple award nominations. Her debut album was nominated for a Grammy, of which she was the only woman nominated in her category. She also won two Golden Melody Awards, for New Artist of the Year and Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “My Jesus.”

Monday, Aug. 19, at 8 p.m. — Aaron Tippin

Aaron Tippin is a country singer best known for his top 10 hit “You’ve Got to Stand for Something.” He started off as a commercial pilot before deciding to pursue music. He moved to Nashville with his family, driving a bulldozer and dump truck by day and performing at bars around Nashville by night.

Tippin is currently on tour, though he still pilots planes and runs his own aviation school.

Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m. — Drew Green

Drew Green’s music can best be described as a mix of rhythm and blues, pop and country. Green is from Nashville. After high school, he joined a house band at a local bar and has since grown his music career.

In 2020 his EP “Dirt Boy, Vol. 1” was released, featuring his hit songs “Little More Be Alright” and “Right Where I Be.” Green is also known for co-penning Florida Georgia Line’s song “Colorado.”

Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 8 p.m. — Surf’s Up: A Tribute to the Beach Boys

Surf’s Up has been paying tribute to the Beach Boys since the ’80s. Created by Don Golberg Sr., the band also features Donny and Danny Goldberg, along with Goldberg Sr.’s nephew Danny Hardwick.

The band has toured and played across the United States, performing songs by the Beach Boys and other classic songs from the ’70s and ’80s.

Thursday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m. — The Van-Dells

The Van-Dells are a cover band that performs songs from the ’50s and ’60s. The three-person band performs doo-wop and Motown classics. They also often feature guest appearances.

They are currently on tour, singing, dancing and incorporating comedy into their performances.

Friday, Aug. 23, at 8 p.m. — Alex Miller

Alex Miller is a country artist from Lancaster, Kentucky. He competed on “American Idol” in 2021. He made it to through to Hollywood Week. During this, he sang “Silver Wings” by Merle Haggard. Miller did not make it on to the top 24.

His EP “My Daddy’s Dad” came out in April of this year. He is also known for his radio show “Miller Time” on CMR Nashville, Europe’s largest country music station.

Saturday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m.  — Jet Jurgensmeyer

Jet Jurgensmeyer is an actor and musician. He is best known for his acting roles in “Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie,” “Little Rascals Save the Day” and “Adventures in Babysitting.” Jurgensmeyer’s self-titled EP came out in January 2018. His first single was titled “Everything Will Be Alright.” He is currently on tour.

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