Events and Activities : Iowa State Fair's Free Stages Set to Thrill Audiences

The 2011 Iowa State Fair free entertainment lineup is filled with rising stars and perennial favorites. The Fair's five free stages, all free with gate admission, will feature hot acts from a wide array of music genres. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, set August 11-21.

Country music fans will find many great shows to tap their toes to, including The Band Perry ("If I Die Young"), Jason Michael Carroll("Livin' Our Love Song"), Josh Kelley ("Georgia Clay") and The Oak Ridge Boys ("Bobbie Sue"). A true rising star, The Band Perry was named Top New Artist by the Academy of Country Music.

Also taking to the free stages, oldies bands will play hits that have stood the test of time. Be sure to check out Jay and the Americans("Cara Mia"), Lovin' Spoonful ("Do You Believe in Magic") and Paul Revere and the Raiders ("Louie Louie"). Few bands have reached the musical heights of Jay and the Americans, who recorded an unprecedented twelve Top 10 records from 1962 to 1971.

Extreme Sunday shows include Christian group Tenth Avenue North ("Hold My Heart"), the funk R&B band Here Come the Mummies ("Funky Little Baby") and country artist Lee Brice ("Happy Endings"). One of country music's most exciting new faces, Brice's single "Love Like Crazy" spent a record-breaking 56 weeks on Billboard Magazine's List of Hot Country Songs.

Other notable acts will bring something for everyone to the Fair, including Radio Disney stars Allstar Weekend ("Come Down with Love"), rappers Ying Yang Twins ("Wait (The Whisper Song)") and a capella group Tonic Sol-fa.

The Fair will also feature some of Iowa's own entertainers, including country artist Jason Brown, blues group The Blue Band, rockersThe Nadas and Brother Trucker.

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

Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage sponsored by KCCI NewsChannel 8

August 11-13 The Nadas (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 14 Martin Sexton (8 p.m.)

August 15 Josh Kelley (8 p.m.)

August 16 Sarah Darling (8 p.m.)

August 17 Ying Yang Twins (8 p.m.)

August 18 Brother Trucker (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 19-20 The Blue Band (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 21 Here Come the Mummies (7:30 p.m.)

Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi

August 11-12 Tonic Sol-fa (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 13 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation (7 p.m.)

August 14 The Johnny Holm Band (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 15 Allstar Weekend (8 p.m.)

August 16-20 Ron Diamond (7 & 9 p.m.)

August 21 Tenth Avenue North (8 p.m.)

Budweiser Stage sponsored by ABC5

August 11-13 Jay and the Americans (8 p.m.)

August 14-15 Confederate Railroad (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 16-17 Georgia Satellites (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 18-19 Lovin' Spoonful (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 20-21 Paul Revere and the Raiders (8 p.m.)

Susan Knapp Amphitheater with media sponsor KDSM FOX 17

August 11 The Oak Ridge Boys (8 p.m.)

August 12-13 Jason Brown (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)

August 14 Jason Michael Carroll (8 p.m.)

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

August 17 The Band Perry (8 p.m.)

August 18 Stealing Angels (8 p.m.)

August 19 Country Gold featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Jeannie Kendall, Eddy Raven and T. Graham Brown (6 & 8:30 p.m.)

August 20 Blaine Larsen (8 p.m.)

August 21 Lee Brice (7 p.m.)

Fun Forest Stage (all shows ASL interpreted)

There will be no 11, 11:30 or Noon shows on Friday, August 12th due to VSA opening ceremonies.

August 11-21 Kids Celebration (11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.)

August 11-21 Mr. Stinky Feet (11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.)

August 11-21 Ray Thompson, The Mind Wizard presented by VSA Iowa Fest (Noon, 2 & 4 p.m.)

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.