MONROE — Pat Benatar won’t be there, but Northwest band Queensrÿche will lead off five days of evening grandstand concerts at the Evergreen State Fair.
All shows are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. The fair continues through Labor Day at the Monroe fairgrounds.
Queensrÿche plays Aug. 31, the Christian group Casting Crowns performs Sept. 1, country music artist Lee Brice takes the stage on Sept. 2, another country star Jerrod Niemann puts on a show on Sept. 3 and country music living legend Vince Gill wraps it up on Sept. 4.
In addition to the grandstand concerts, the fair has two stages on the grounds that feature many local and regional performers.
Benatar and her husband Neil “Spyder” Giraldo canceled their concert this past week because Giraldo has some health concerns.
The fair announced a few days later that Queensrÿche, a progressive metal group from Bellevue, would perform instead.
The band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide since the 1980s, with hit songs such as “Silent Lucidity,” “Jet City Woman,” “Queen of the Reich” and “Eyes of a Stranger.” More about the band is at queensrycheofficial.com.
People who paid for Benatar tickets with credit or debit cards will automatically be refunded. Those who paid cash should go the fair box office or call 360-805-6710 for a refund.
Tickets to see Queensrÿche are $15 to $25. All grandstand concert tickets include gate admission to the fair.
Tickets for Grammy award-winning Casting Crowns are $30 to $48. The group has been one of the post popular Christian music acts since 2007. The Atlanta-based group got its start as a youth group worship band and now has hits such as “voice of Turth” and “Praise You in this Storm.” More information about the band is at www.castingcrowns.com.
Tickets for Lee Brice are $37 to $55. Brice won an Academy of Country Music award for song of the year in 2014. He has a new album out titled “I Don’t Dance.” His hits include “More than a Memory” and “I Drive Your Truck.” The New York Times called him a “sensitive macho man.” More about Brice is at www.leebrice.com.
Tickets to see Jerrod Niemann are $30 to $48. His hits include “Drink to That All Night,” “Donkey,” What Do You Want” and “Only God Could Love you More.” His website is www.jerrodniemannofficial.com.
It’s probably a deal to see Vince Gill for $35 to $60.
One of the most popular singers of modern country music, Gill had his big break in 1990 with the song “When I Call Your Name.” It won top awards from the Country Music Association as well as a Grammy. He is the most awarded singer/songwriter in CMA history and has 20 Grammy awards. He and Johnny Cash are the only people to have won the CMA’s prestigious Irving Waugh award of excellence. He is in the Country Music Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Learn more at www.vincegill.com.
Free shows
The following are a few recommendations for the free concerts on the Courtyard stage and for acts that will rove around the fair.
Aug. 28: The Pilchuck Mountain String Band, 4 p.m.; Silver, Blue and Gold, Band Company tribute band, 5:30 p.m.; Tarnished Brass, roving from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 29: Jet City Players, classic rock from Seattle, 3:15 p.m.; The Shed Players, an Americana group from Snohomish and Mill Creek, 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 30: From 10:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fiesta Sunday, see New Age Flamenco, Bailadores de Bronce, Mariachi Fiesta and Aztec Indian Dancers.
Aug. 31: On Senior Day, hear the county’s amazing big band, the Moonlight Swing Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. One-man-band and comedian Eric Haines will be roaming throughout the day.
Sept. 1: The Fentons play country music at 4:30 p.m. Eric Haines’ one-man-band, roaming all afternoon.
Sept. 2: Dakota, country music, 12:45 p.m.
Sept. 3: On Kids Day, see Matt Baker’s Comedy Show, 12:15 and 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 4: Armed Forces Day features the BullsEye Brass Band, 12:30 p.m., and the Monroe Concert Band, 6 p.m. Look for Under the Radar barbershop quartet roaming the fairgrounds throughout the afternoon.
Sept. 5: On Rodeo Day, be sure to catch Marcia Kester’s tribute to Patsy Cline at 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 6: Derby Day features Kickin’ Dust at 4:30 p.m. and Rocklyn Road at 5:45 and 9 p.m.
Sept. 7: Monroe Community Jazz Orchestra, noon.
If you go
The Evergreen State Fair, through Sept. 7 in Monroe, features five grandstand concerts. Ticket information is at www.evergreenfair.org or at the fair box office at the southwest corner of the fair, just off U.S. 2.
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