WASHINGTON CO. FAIR ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

  

The entertainment lineup has been set for the 147th Washington County Fair.

Roger Craeger small
Roger Craeger

This year’s edition of the oldest county fair in Texas features some familiar faces, the return of Christian Music night and a tribute night to some Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

 

Opening night for the fair is Saturday, September 12th.  The headline entertainment will be Texas recording star and Corpus Christi native Roger Creager.  The opening act will be Cameran Nelson, a musician from the north Texas town of Haskel.

 

Jimmy Gonzalez small
Jimmy Gonzalez

 

 

Tuesday the 15th is Tejano Night.  That evening’s lineup  feautures Jimmy Gonzalez and the group “Mazz”.

 

 

Matt Maher small
Matt Maher

 

 

Wednesday night will feature the second annual Christian Music night.  Kicking off the entertainment will be Hip Hop Christian star Flame, opening for Canadian singer Matt Maher.

 

 

Trio Grande small
Trio Grande

 

Thursday, September 17th will be a night of tributes to two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acts.  Trio Grande will play the music of ZZ Top and Texas Flood pays tribute to the late Stevie Ray Vaughn.

 

 

Turnpike Troubadours small
Turnpike Troubadours

 

The Friday night entertainment will feature two more Red Dirt Music acts.  Mike and the Moonpies will open for Turnpike Troubadours.

 

 

Easton Corbin small
Easton Corbin

 

The final day of the fair, Saturday, September 19th, will kick off with local favorites The Dujka Brothers.  That will be followed by up and coming band Tyler and the Trib.  The headliner on the final night will be Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin.

As always, KWHI will be broadcasting live from the fairgrounds throughout the fair.

For more information, log onto: http://www.washingtoncofair.com.

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39 Comments

  1. Some interesting comments here, but it’s a well known fact that the folks that complain the loudest, also volunteer and contribute the least.

  2. For those of you complaining about our COUNTRY LINE-UP for our COUNTRY FAIR, you apparently don’t listen to COUNTRY MUSIC !!! Easton Corbin is not a ‘nobody’ on the radio. He has lots of country hits ( and sounds a lot like George Strait ! ) If you want to see ‘rock stars’ go to a concert – not a COUNTY FAIR !! …and like other replies said – VOLUNTEER on a committee , donate your time, and see how things work … my kids have paid for most of their college from fair projects, so yes, the fair is still for the kids !!!

  3. While I know people are not happy that Fayette County is getting big names such as ZZ Top and we have smaller bands, I agree with the volunteers. If you don’t like what you see – volunteer, or at least give suggestions and see what you can do to help improve the quality of musicians. I personally will give opinions to folks I know who are part of the fair as far as events – what I think could come back ones that flopped big time, etc. While most didn’t change – some did.

    Personally, I like the fact we use smaller musicians because for them this is a stepping stone to bigger and better things. I have seen quite a few singers at some of the Oprys in my life, and a few now are opening acts for larger performers (and to sounding ovations). Many have given credit to the county fairs that gave them that stepping stone.

    And I know of a couple of singers who have appeared at the Grand Old Opry and will still come out to smaller Oprys and perform because they hadn’t forgotten where they came from. Jeannie Seely is one of them.

    All this said, the one thing we SHOULDN’T do is make comments like the ones I’ve read, because like it or not, the acts we do hire could read these comments and could choose to pay whatever penalties they have for canceling and not attend. I wouldn’t blame them – why perform for an ungrateful audience?

    Worse, they then could pass that information along – “Washington County is rude” (their words/thoughts, not mine) – and we have no one come. And if they don’t come because of “rude attitudes” how are we going to convince any big names to show up even with a big payday offer for them?

  4. I thought this story could use some positivity, so to the fair committees: GREAT JOB!!! These concerts are all going to be fun – they always are regardless of entertainment because of the atmosphere! I grew up showing and my parents as well as family friends have all been on committees. These people VOLUNTEER their time. And to you, CH Resident: SIMMER DOWN. Nobody made you read this article. And nobody is making you go to the fair.

    1. If you read carefully, I took time to recognize all the volunteers that do the right thing for the right reason. The fair itself is a fun atmosphere but my whole point was to say if the management keeps running things the way they have in the past few years, it won’t be long before it is a memory. Most of the comments on here are similar in that regard-people are tired of the excuse “well we’ve always done it this way”. That type of thinking does not promote growth or motivate people to want to be a part of it. And as for simmering down-last time I checked this is still America and Texas, where I can speak my opinion as can you…..and we don’t have to agree. This is a public forum and open,honest discussion on such topics as this should be encouraged, not discouraged. In the end the fair got where it is today (both good and bad) by discussion and also lack of discussion.

      1. While I haven’t been able to say that I agree with anything coming out of CH recently, I do agree with CHResident on this one. Having attended the Wash Co Fair for 50+ years, I think it’s sad to see how few people actually show for the entertainment…definitely not like the old crowds. I, too, applaud the work done by the volunteers at the Fair, but I do think there needs to be some reassessment. And for those that are saying that you shouldn’t complain if you don’t volunteer…there are a lot of us who would love to get on a fair committee, but it all seems to be about who you know and if they want you or not. Just sayin…..

    2. Very well said “I just like Fairs” and we can all bash any organization or fair. Nothing is perfect but if you really want to make it better CH Resident, get involved (that means volunteer) and give of your time to make it better. If you don’t want to volunteer, I understand, but please rest assured that this is a non-profit organization and the the youth of Washington County are the focus of the Fair.

  5. Never heard of any of these names ever before .. Wash Co. does seem to be taking the cheapskate route …

  6. Patthetic entertainement. Why can’t Washington county get some decent acts. Maybe we need a new chairman of the Entertainment Committee, one that knows good musicians. Come on folks, Washington County can afford better acts than what we get, wheres the money going????????.

  7. Amen to Fair Volunteer comment. I as well am a Fair Volunteer and love doing it. I also PAY for my VIP packet. CHResident, please do not comment or give incorrect information unless you can state the correct facts. I am sure any committee would like to have you join them and again we do not get paid. But then again, maybe not- no whiners !!

  8. 16, mostly negative, comments about the fair and the music line-up. I haven’t seen anything on here lately so highly protested except for the race track. Maybe the fair committees should take note.

    However, the flip side of getting better acts is that the acts want to get paid more, require better security, better accommodations, etc. That usually means higher ticket prices, and no one would be happy about that, either.

  9. Y’all know there is a fair board and entertainment committee y’all can be a part of if you are so mad about the entertainment and want change. These singers cost a lot of money and the fair can’t just pull the money out the ground and spend an unlimited amount to get the best entertainers. There will always be people complaining because not everyone likes the same music. Sad to see people talk so badly about the fair just because their favorite band or singer isn’t there!

  10. It’s been many years since the Washington County Fair has had National recording stars like the surrounding county fairs. From what I have heard its because the fair committee does not want to pay out the money for this quality entertainment so they stick to the second or third rate acts. However the beer sales are always at a high level as well as the related thefts and auto burglaries that occur during the fair. It makes one wonder whats really important to the Washington county fair committee and where all the money is going.

    1. Very good question. Where is the money going? I involved with a group that rented a part of the fairgrounds and the rental fee was so high they had to move the location. The facts are the facts and the entertainment committee is slipping and letting the fair down.

      1. The Washington County Fair Association does not own the fairgrounds – the county does. Nor does the WC Fair Association handle or benefit from the rental of the fairgrounds. This is done by Washington County Fairgrounds Management which is a separate entity. The rental money goes to the county NOT the fair.

  11. The fair needs to get better entertainment like really big name bands. Instead of getting a ZZ Top tribute band why not get the real thing. Just heard on the radio that the Fayette County fair has booked ZZ Top to play there this year. If Fayette County can afford them why can’t Washington County?!!!!

  12. The fair has become a joke in recent years. It used to be about the kids and raising money for them to have college funds but that’s not the focus any longer. They continue to take more from the proceeds of the junior livestock auction, charge the exhibitors more for parking and entry fees and so on. Perhaps instead of increasing prices they should make some budget cuts in areas of no benefit to the kids. Specifically, how about eliminating the “VIP” dinners that take place every night of the week? No telling how much they spend on food and booze in this area alone. For those not familiar, this is where all the chairmen, spouses, and invited guests are allowed to eat and drink for free and it has absolutely nothing to do with helping the kids. Yes, the fair was once a very great, wholesome, family focused event that benefited many kiddos. Sadly, in my humble opinion, it has become yet another vehicle for those individuals that are blatantly sacrificing the historical and community values once evident for their own individual self serving wants and needs. I’m sure this little commentary won’t change a thing and life will move on….but the fair will move on without my support and the support of all those who happen to share my opinion, which seems to be growing each year.

    1. It is obvious that you are not a WCF Committee member or volunteer, if you were you would know that we PAY for the tickets for the food and drinks in the VIP room; and the cost goes up almost every year. Drinks are not unlimited either, we are only allowed 2 per night which is included in the cost as well. It is a shame to read the countless number of degrading comments about our fair each year. If you feel like you can do a better job than what us 500+ VOLUNTEERS (that’s right volunteer meaning not paid) then please join a committee and express your concerns there.

      1. I do know that some wrist bands are paid for by individuals but I also know that there are many people who share the bands with others and that the 2 drink rule is largely ignored. Interesting that you did not speak to the other items I mentioned as well. I’m all about volunteering and do so in several organizations; it just will never be for this particular organization because they have taken it to a level of greed (in my opinion) that I find completely disgusting. I never even bothered to mention the drunkfest that goes on during the junior livestock auction and commercial sales. The fair spends a ton of money on food and drink for “buyers” yet countless number of people go in and eat, drink and never buy one animal from a child or contribute. The fair has become a joke (again in my opinion and others) due to very poor management and no oversight. I commend all the volunteers that are spending time doing the right thing for the right reason, but it might be wise for folks to pull their head out of the sand and ask critical questions about what the leadership is actually doing over there.

        1. I am at the fair every day, starting the week before cooking. The fair charges the food vendors a pretty penny for their booth space to be able to sell food and then they turn around and sell food themselves though the VIP program. This only takes away from the vendors that are there. Every year it seems that there are fewer food vendors. This program does need to be stopped (in my opinion). If all those people eating in the VIP room would eat in the food court there probably be more vendors come in to sell food. And if a person thinks that the vendors make a lot of money think again. It’s more work than gain but I like cooking so that’s on me.

        2. CH, clarify “The fair spends a ton of money on food and drink for “buyers” yet countless number of people go in and eat, drink and never buy one animal from a child or contribute.”

          Do you mean the ones who are supposedly the “hot shots” and “big names” or the average joe who comes in to enjoy the show?

          I say this because every year I always go to the 4-H and FFA booths for sodas and a burger. Many times I go at least twice.

          My side always comes from a local business or organization. I’ve gotten sauerkraut from the Cattlewoman’s association and fried okra from Smitty’s. I used do the same for Nathan’s before he chose to not sell there.

          I also enter arts and crafts every year, and my money ALWAYS ends up going back to the fair – be it buying stuff at the country store or again one of the places above.

          Yes, there are people who do come to the fair to enjoy themselves and don’t “contribute” save the price of their ticket. But please don’t assume all of us do.

  13. change the name to the cheapest fair in Texas

  14. This lineup looks pretty good, Corbin and Creagor are awesome shows. Whiney people would be whining if it was U2 or Garth Brooks too; ignore them. The issue with the fair lineup is they have to make money to spend it, if more people went, they’d have better lineups the following year

  15. Even Bellville/Austin County fair has better entertainment! Get some big name entertainers and the Fair Queen Candidates can sell tickets.

  16. I’ll pass. Good luck to the queen candidates as they try to sell those tickets.

  17. Easton Corbin is a big deal, and you also have to remember that where we may be the OLDEST fair in the state we are not the BIGGEST county fair in the state.

  18. Matt Maher and Flame are really good! I do wish Third Day would be there! Skillet would really be awesome! Never heard of the country singers though. But not to familiar with country music I must admit!

    1. I don’t understand why we can’t get any good entertainment. Other fairs have good entertainers why can’t we . That’s why I don’t go. If they can’t spend money on good stars why should I spend mine.

  19. Fayette County gets the actual guys, and we get a tribute band? Ok, they do actually have their fair in LaGrange, so that’s cool, but as the oldest fair in the state, uhhhhh……are we ever gonna spend money for big acts?

  20. Really? We have a ZZ Top cover band and Fayette county has the REAL DEAL! We either need some better entertainment or they need to start lowering the ticket prices!

    1. To be fair, ZZ Tops best song is about a town IN Fayette County, so… There is that

      1. We should get the guy who sings the Blue Bell jingle then. Or maybe a cover band that can sing sorta like the guy who sings the Blue Bell jingle…

  21. Kudos to the association for the Friday night line-up. But really, Creager? Again?? Please take note of the Fayette Co. Fair. Haggard last year, ZZ Top this year. Sorry, just seems like an off year for entertainment.

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