Harrison
March 7th, 2008, 1:38 pm
U.P. State Fair acts announced
Finger Eleven, Tracy Lawrence, Craig Morgan at Escanaba fair
By Mary Ann Cancilla, For The Daily News
ESCANABA — While rock act Finger Eleven may have disappointed some last summer when they canceled their show at the U.P. State Fair, they may make up for it this year — and besides, they had good reason.
They are one of the grandstand acts scheduled to appear at this year’s U.P. State Fair. The line-up also includes country performers Tracy Lawrence and Craig Morgan.
U.P. State Fair Manager Scott Staelgrave said the Canadian post-grunge, hard rock, alternative metal band had an opportunity to tour with chartbusting rock act Nickelback last year, so they relieved them of their contract.
“We were able to re-book them this year,” Staelgrave said. “Finger Eleven is one of the hottest rock bands on the circuit right now.”
Hits like “One Thing,” off the band’s 2003 self-titled album, and “Paralyzer,” from their most-recent album, “Them vs. You vs. Me,” drove the band to mainstream success, with “Paralyzer” landing at No. 1 on both U.S. and Canadian rock charts.
But there may be another incentive to come out and see Finger Eleven and other entertainment acts this year.
Cost to see headline entertainment at the 2008 U.P. State Fair is included in the general admission gate fee.
“You pay a price to get into the fair, that includes (attendees’) admission to the show, as well,” Staelgrave said.
Cost of admission is up from last year, he said, from $6, to $8 general admission.
While fair admission includes general admission to each of the headlining acts, reserved seating is available for both country shows for $10.
“We’ll set up to 1,000 seats on the track,” Staelgrave said. “Those are the best seats available.”
Finger Eleven’s show is general admission only because it includes festival seating.
“People will be standing anyway,” Staelgrave said.
While there are no opening acts planned for this year’s headline entertainment, Staelgrave said the shows are guaranteed to be at least 90 minutes long.
After researching different models of fairs, Staelgrave said he found the most successful charged admission this way.
“The fairs that were growing and having success and expanding all used this type of model,” he said.
Country acts slated for this year include Tracy Lawrence and Craig Morgan.
Lawrence, a Texas native, has produced 16 No. 1 and at least 20 top 10 hits, including classics “Sticks and Stones,” “Alibis” and “Texas Tornado.”
He has also found success with his latest album, “For the Love,” whom longtime friends and country music stars Tim McGraw and Kenney Chesney collaborated on for a bonus rendition of “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”
Morgan, who is referred to as country music’s stealth star, had back-to-back No. 1 singles and massive radio airplay for songs like “I Got You,” “Redneck Yacht Club” and “Almost Home.” However, his recognition factor “has not quite caught up to the scope of his popularity and level of success,” according to the performer’s Web site.
Also included in the admission fee is all Midway entertainment, with the exception of carnival rides, provided by Skerbeck Brothers. This includes returning shows like “Fourth Avenue,” a strolling a cappella group, Oscar the Robot, “Growing UP Foresters” and the Pocket Park as well as newcomers
Caboodlestoppers, a family friendly “Branson, Mo.” -style comedy/variety show and Pirate Island, an interactive pirate adventure.
New as well this year, Staelgrave said regional bands will also be featured on the Midway stage.
Attendance for 2007’s U.P. State Fair was up about 1.5 to 2 percent, with approximately 96,000 fairgoers, Staelgrave said. His expectations for this year are that the new pricing will draw people to come to the fair multiple days.
“It’s less than the cost of a movie and it’s an entire days worth of entertainment that you normally get for two hours,” he said. “I think this year’s entertainment is excellent, especially for the price.”
Reserved seating tickets will be available to the public March 17 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds office, Island Resort and Casino (866 475-4692) and by calling StarTickets Plus at (800) 585-3737 or visiting them online at www.starticketsplus.com (http://www.starticketsplus.com/)
Finger Eleven, Tracy Lawrence, Craig Morgan at Escanaba fair
By Mary Ann Cancilla, For The Daily News
ESCANABA — While rock act Finger Eleven may have disappointed some last summer when they canceled their show at the U.P. State Fair, they may make up for it this year — and besides, they had good reason.
They are one of the grandstand acts scheduled to appear at this year’s U.P. State Fair. The line-up also includes country performers Tracy Lawrence and Craig Morgan.
U.P. State Fair Manager Scott Staelgrave said the Canadian post-grunge, hard rock, alternative metal band had an opportunity to tour with chartbusting rock act Nickelback last year, so they relieved them of their contract.
“We were able to re-book them this year,” Staelgrave said. “Finger Eleven is one of the hottest rock bands on the circuit right now.”
Hits like “One Thing,” off the band’s 2003 self-titled album, and “Paralyzer,” from their most-recent album, “Them vs. You vs. Me,” drove the band to mainstream success, with “Paralyzer” landing at No. 1 on both U.S. and Canadian rock charts.
But there may be another incentive to come out and see Finger Eleven and other entertainment acts this year.
Cost to see headline entertainment at the 2008 U.P. State Fair is included in the general admission gate fee.
“You pay a price to get into the fair, that includes (attendees’) admission to the show, as well,” Staelgrave said.
Cost of admission is up from last year, he said, from $6, to $8 general admission.
While fair admission includes general admission to each of the headlining acts, reserved seating is available for both country shows for $10.
“We’ll set up to 1,000 seats on the track,” Staelgrave said. “Those are the best seats available.”
Finger Eleven’s show is general admission only because it includes festival seating.
“People will be standing anyway,” Staelgrave said.
While there are no opening acts planned for this year’s headline entertainment, Staelgrave said the shows are guaranteed to be at least 90 minutes long.
After researching different models of fairs, Staelgrave said he found the most successful charged admission this way.
“The fairs that were growing and having success and expanding all used this type of model,” he said.
Country acts slated for this year include Tracy Lawrence and Craig Morgan.
Lawrence, a Texas native, has produced 16 No. 1 and at least 20 top 10 hits, including classics “Sticks and Stones,” “Alibis” and “Texas Tornado.”
He has also found success with his latest album, “For the Love,” whom longtime friends and country music stars Tim McGraw and Kenney Chesney collaborated on for a bonus rendition of “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”
Morgan, who is referred to as country music’s stealth star, had back-to-back No. 1 singles and massive radio airplay for songs like “I Got You,” “Redneck Yacht Club” and “Almost Home.” However, his recognition factor “has not quite caught up to the scope of his popularity and level of success,” according to the performer’s Web site.
Also included in the admission fee is all Midway entertainment, with the exception of carnival rides, provided by Skerbeck Brothers. This includes returning shows like “Fourth Avenue,” a strolling a cappella group, Oscar the Robot, “Growing UP Foresters” and the Pocket Park as well as newcomers
Caboodlestoppers, a family friendly “Branson, Mo.” -style comedy/variety show and Pirate Island, an interactive pirate adventure.
New as well this year, Staelgrave said regional bands will also be featured on the Midway stage.
Attendance for 2007’s U.P. State Fair was up about 1.5 to 2 percent, with approximately 96,000 fairgoers, Staelgrave said. His expectations for this year are that the new pricing will draw people to come to the fair multiple days.
“It’s less than the cost of a movie and it’s an entire days worth of entertainment that you normally get for two hours,” he said. “I think this year’s entertainment is excellent, especially for the price.”
Reserved seating tickets will be available to the public March 17 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds office, Island Resort and Casino (866 475-4692) and by calling StarTickets Plus at (800) 585-3737 or visiting them online at www.starticketsplus.com (http://www.starticketsplus.com/)