Located in the beautiful Willamette Valley, west of the Oregon State University campus, the Benton County Fair and Rodeo is proud to offer this great, family-oriented opportunity the first weekend in August! This year join 4-H members as they show their project animals and static displays, open show livestock competitions, home economic projects, photography skills, gardening and more! The third-annual Larry Bell All Girls Memorial Rodeo (Wednesday) and two nights of Northwest Professional Rodeo Association action (Thursday and Friday).
Nightly concerts for the cost of your admittance ticket, we are excited to rock the night away on the first night of fair as The Fat Bottomed Girls open for The Springsteen Experience. The Fat Bottom Girls is a song by Queen and this female fronted rock band will showcase the hits of Queen, Heart, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and other Queens of Rock.
The Springsteen Experience: A Tribute to the Boss is a high-octane, chronological journey, recreating the most memorable moments and state interactions throughout E STREET concert history. From 1973 through the height of Bruce’s fame in the 80’s and beyond, this theatrical production accurately replicates the near circus-like appeal of an authentic Springsteen concert; including vintage equipment and stage sets, costume changes, and note-perfect renditions of Bruce’s most popular hits and lyrical gems.
Country music takes to the stage on Thursday with Jessica Lynne opening for Canaan Smith. Sometimes authentic country music artists do not grow up in what we would consider hotbeds of country music. Sometimes they grown up in Haslev, Denmark, the hometown of Nashville recording artists Jessica Lynne, who currently resides in Tacoma, Washington. Upon moving to the U.S. in 2010, Jessica’s country music career took off like a shot, buoyed by her vocal and songwriting talents and compelling stage presence.
A native of Williamsburg, Virginia, Canaan Smith earned his first Top 10 hit as a songwriter with Love & Theft’s 2009 debut, “Runaway.” He’s built on that success with more co-written hits including cuts by Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and Cole Swindell - as well as breakout star Mason Ramsey, who has made the Smith co-written “Famous” into a viral smash in 19 countries. As an artist, Smith’s co-written 2014 single “Love You Like That” became a PLATINUM-certified #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and was followed up by the Top 25 hit “Hole in a Bottle.” Smith has been revealed as the first artist signed to Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line’s newly-formed label, Round Here Records, with the infectious positivity of his new tracks “Beer Drinkin’ Weather,” “Country Boy Things,” “Life Ain’t Fair,” and “Pour Decisions” leading the charge.
Saddle up for fun on Friday as Strawberry Roan opens for C**t Ford. Catherine Loyer & Strawberry Roan have a high energy show that plays rockin’ and heartfelt country - both original and everyone’s favorites, from modern to classic. Catherine is known for her electric presence and a voice that has both power and control.
C**t Ford consistently blazes his own trail. By doing so, the Georgia singer, songwriter, rapper, musician, performer and co-founder & co-owner of Average Joes Entertainment keeps up pace as the country’s preeminent independent maverick. By 2019, C**t built a series of staggering successes as he rose to mainstream notoriety. He notched five consecutive Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart with “Declaration of Independence” bowing at #1 in 2012. Two years later, “Thanks for Listening” ascended to the Top 10 of the Top 200, with the album reaching #1 on Billboard Rap & Independent charts. Meanwhile, he lobbed six songs onto the Hot Country Songs Chart with “Back” [feat. Jake Owen] going Top 40. Among many accolades, Ford received a nomination in the category of “Vocal Event of the Year” at the Academy of Country Music Awards for “Cold Beer” with Jamey Johnson.
Selling over 3 million albums, attracting millions of followers on social media and hitting 1 billion-plus streams, the country rap pioneer’s dynamic discography spans collaborations with everyone from Toby Keith, Brad Paisely, Keith Urban, and Jermaine Dupri to members of No Doubt, Lit, and Lady Antebellum. Additionally, he co-wrote Jason Aldean’s #1 hit “Dirt Road Anthem” and Brantley Gilbert’s #1 hit “Country Must be Country Wide” as a behind-the scenes force in the studio. Moreover, Ford’s solo tradition of genre-blurring continued on Love Hope Faith in 2017 by way of cuts such as “Reload” [feat. Taylor Ray Holdbrook].
For his seventh and eighth albums, “We the People, Volume 1” [2019] & “We the People, Volume 2” [2020], Ford once again tossed the rule book out the window. Perfecting his dynamic and definitive distillation of country, hip-hop, and rock like never before on nearly 30 songs.
Prepare for a British invasion on Saturday with Yesterday: The Beatles Tribute and Remember When Rock Was Young: The Elton John Tribute. Yesterday: The Beatles Tribute was voted the #1 tribute act in Las Vegas by the Fremont Street Experience. Endorsed by Sir Paul McCartney, Yesterday is the longest running show at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City. Yesterday transports audiences to a bygone era of magical innocence. With superior showmanship, flawless voices and exceptional musical abilities, these performers are not to be missed.
Remember when Rock was Young: The Elton John Tribute featuring Craig A. Meyer takes to the stage on Saturday night. A celebration of the character, costumes and charisma of the famed pianist and singer, Meyer’s fully produced show has captivated audiences throughout the United States and abroad. This spectacular musical journey celebrates the decades of chart topping hits by Sir Elton John, including the “Benny and the Jets,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and “Candle in the Wind.” Meyer is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist in the market, whose strong vocals, striking resemblance, and amazing talent on the piano has audiences everywhere remember when rock was young.
Traveling entertainment throughout the fair include a hypnotist, trick roping, frisbee tricks, stilt walkers and more! Check out the Oak Grove stage for even more fun and exciting competitions and talent shows, as well as the karaoke competition!
