Et cetera : Iowa State Fair's Free Stages Set to Thrill Audiences

The 2012 Iowa State Fair free entertainment line-up is filled with rising stars and perennial favorites. The Fair's five free stages, all free with gate admission, will feature acts from a wide array of music genres. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, set August 9-19.

Country music fans will find many great shows to tap their toes to, including Brett Elredge ("Raymond"), Steve Holy ("Brand New Girlfriend"), Hunter Hayes ("Storm Warning") and Will Hoge ("Even If It Breaks Your Heart"). Rising star Hunter Hayes has already co-written songs for Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry; shared a stage with Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Johnny and June Cash; and performed for President Clinton.

Also taking to the free stages, oldies bands will play hits that have stood the test of time. Be sure to check out Elvis Impersonator Travis LeDoyt, Restless Heart ("I'll Still Be Loving You") and the Dave Mason Duo ("We Just Disagree"). Dave Mason's career spans nearly 50 years, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a founding member of the group Traffic.

Extreme Sunday shows include a cappella group Street Corner Symphony, the classic rock band WAR ("Why Can't We Be Friends") and R&B artists Boyz II Men ("I'll Make Love to You"). Boyz II Men holds the distinction as the best-selling R&B group of all time, with an astounding 60 million albums sold.

Other notable acts will bring something for everyone to the Fair, including Vaudeville comedy show Handsome Little Devils' Squirm Burpee Circus, The Voice contestant Dia Frampton, Radio Disney stars Action Item ("Learn To Fly") and funk R&B band Here Come the Mummies ("Funky Little Baby").

The Fair will also feature some of Iowa's own entertainers, including blues group The Blue Band, rockers The Nadas and Brother Trucker.

Southern country rock band Parmalee replaces the previously announced artist (Marlee Scott) for the August 17 show on the Susan Knapp Amphitheater.

A complete listing of event dates, times and locations follows:

Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage sponsored by KCCI NewsChannel 8

August 9-10 The Nadas (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 11 Brother Trucker (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 12-13 Handsome Little Devils (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 14 Brett Eldredge (8 p.m.)

August 15 Dia Frampton (8 p.m.)

August 16 Glen Templeton (8 p.m.)

August 17-18 The Blue Band (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 19 Here Come the Mummies (7:30 p.m.)

Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi

August 9 JJ Grey and Mofro (8 p.m.)

August 10 Action Item (8 p.m.)

August 11 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation (7 p.m.)

August 12 The Afters (8 p.m.)

August 13-17 Hypnotist Ron Diamond (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 18 The Downtown Fiction (8 p.m.)

August 19 Street Corner Symphony (7 p.m.)

Budweiser Stage sponsored by ABC5

August 9-10 Bob Wootton (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 11-12 Elvis Impersonator Travis LeDoyt (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 13-14 Restless Heart (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 15-16 Strawberry Fields (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 17-18 Dave Mason Duo (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 19 WAR (8 p.m.)

Susan Knapp Amphitheater with media sponsor KDSM FOX 17

August 9 Steve Holy (8 p.m.)

August 10 Mockingbird Sun (8 p.m.)

August 11 Will Hoge (8 p.m.)

August 12 Blackberry Smoke (8 p.m.)

August 13-14 Hairball (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 15 Hunter Hayes (8 p.m.)

August 16 Country Gold featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Narvel Felts, Rex Allen Jr. and

The Quebe Sisters (6 & 8:30 p.m.)

August 17 Parmalee (8 p.m.)

August 18 JT Hodges (8 p.m.)

August 19 Boyz II Men (7 p.m.)

Fun Forest Stage sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union

(All shows ASL interpreted)

August 9-19 Babaloo (11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.)

August 9-19 Matt's Family Jam (11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.)

August 9-19 VSA Iowa Presents (various artists) (Noon, 2 & 4 p.m.)

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. Save money on advance admission tickets now through August 8 (while supplies last). For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.