State Fair Smackdown

A comparison of acts coming to grandstands, Miller Lite Main Stages, Budweiser Music Pavilions and Leinie Lodges at state fairs near you.

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FAIR: Wisconsin State Fair

MOTTO: The Grand Champion of Summer

DATE: August 2 - 12

LINEUP
Doobie Brothers w/Kansas

Colin Hay (Men at Work)

FM 106.1 Countryfest featuring Gary Allan with Tracy Lawrence & Luke Bryan

10,000 Maniacs

Lupillo Rivera w/Ana Barbara

The Romantics

George Jones with Country gold tour featuring Leroy Van Dyke, T.G. Sheppard & Bobby Bare

Midnight Star

MercyMe with Tree63

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels

Lonestar w/John Anderson and Jake Owen

Ambrosia

Kool & The Gang w/Ruben Studdard

Young Dubliners

WISCONSIN ROCKS! Featuring the BoDeans with The Gufs

Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Starship)

Switchfoot with Emerson Hart

Shooter Jennings

Bad Boy

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CHEESE FACTOR: 8

BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 5

CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 6

LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 2

UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONY FACTOR: 2

QUOTE FACTOR: "Your musical experience will be enhanced with our newly added video screens at the Miller Lite Main Stage."

NON-MUSIC FACTOR: "Don't forget to treat yourself to an Original Cream Puff."

OVERALL: 5 corn dogs out of 10.

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FAIR: Illinois State Fair

MOTTO: Celebrate and Educate

DATE: August 10 -19

LINEUP
Gretchen Wilson with Blaine Larsen

Corbin Bleu with Drake Bell and Jordan Pruitt

Daughtry

Illinois Symphony

Martina McBride with Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Joe Walsh with Grand Funk Railroad

Sugarland with Joe Nichols

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CHEESE FACTOR: 2

BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 1

CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 3

LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 1

UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONY FACTOR: 0

QUOTE FACTOR: "We were searching for a classic rock act to add variety to this year's line-up and feel fortunate that a performer of Walsh's caliber was available. It should be a great show."

NON-MUSIC FACTOR: "'BREAKFAST ON A STICK' COMPETITION TO DEBUT. Prizes to be awarded for best stick-meal creation."

OVERALL EVALUATION: 1 corn dog out of 10.

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FAIR: Iowa State Fair

MOTTO: Sounds Like Fun

DATE: August 9 - 19

LINEUP
Gary Allan with Eric Church

The BoDeans

Alice Cooper with Blue Oyster Cult

Loverboy

Rock 'N' Roll Reunion XXVIII with Little Anthony and the Imperials, Ben E. King, Joe Dee, Percy Sledge, and Gary U.S. Bonds

Don McLean

Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell and Jordan Pruitt

Del McCoury Band

Dierks Bentley with Chris Cagle

Bellamy Brothers

Survivor

Casting Crowns with Tree63

Country Gold: Leroy VanDyke, Bobby Bare, Charlie Rich Jr. and Connie Smith

Joe Walsh

Josh Gracin

Steve Holy

Switchfoot with Cartel

Chris Young

American Idols Live! Including Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Gina Glockson, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey and Sanjaya Malakar.

ABBAMANIA: The Magic and Music of ABBA

Stayin' Alive: A Night of the Bee Gees

Travis LeDoyt

Simply the Best: Tribute to Legendary Motown Divas

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CHEESE FACTOR: 4

BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 7

CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 1

LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 1

UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONY FACTOR: 6

QUOTE FACTOR: "Best known for his powerful guitar licks, Joe Walsh has entertained the masses and captivated his peers from his early hits with the James Gang through to his tenure with the Eagles - as well as a successful solo career."

NON-MUSIC FACTOR: "HARRY POTTER IN BUTTER, ICE CARVINGS AND JUMBO VEGGIES FEATURED IN AGRICULTURE BUILDING."

OVERALL EVALUATION: 5 corn dogs out of 10.

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FAIR: Great Indiana State Fair

MOTTO: There's No Better Time!

DATE: August 8 -19

LINEUP
Casting Crowns and Jeremy Camp

Lee Brice

Rascal Flatts Tour 2007 with special guest Jason Aldean

Whiskey Falls

Jonas Brothers

Trent Tomlinson

Kenny Rogers and The Oak Ridge Boys

Half Way to Hazard

David Cassidy

Bucky Covington

American Idols Live Tour 2007 including Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey, and Sanjaya Malakar

Eric Church

Screamfest 07 featuring T.I., Ciara, T-Pain, Lloyd & Yung Joc

Drew Davis Band

Joe Nichols

Those Darn Accordions on the AT&T Main Street Stage

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CHEESE FACTOR: 2

BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 0

LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: 1

CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 8

UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONIC FACTOR: 6

QUOTE FACTOR: "The State Fair showcases agriculture and youth, educates the public about agriculture, our agricultural heritage and current productions methods along with entertaining the general public."

NON-MUSIC FACTOR: "Indiana Curiosities: A Walk Thru the Wacky Side of Hoosier Life - Did you know that there's a 'Wizard of Oz Museum' in Chesterton, Indiana? Can you imagine living in a modernly-equipped, environmentally friendly home that costs less than a $1/day? There's one in Pendleton, Indiana.

"These are just a few of the mind-boggling displays you will see when you visit this display based on a book written by local author and media personality Dick Wolfsie. The exhibit uncovers interesting oddities from all corners of our state."

In the Old National Bank Grand Hall.

OVERALL EVALUATION: 0 corn dogs out of 10.

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FAIR: Minnesota State Fair

MOTTO: Twelve Days of Fun Ending Labor Day

DATE: August 23 to September 3

LINEUP
Brad Paisley with Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift

Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx

Goo Goo Dolls with Lifehouse and Colbie Caillat

The Johnny Holm Band

Fergie with Rooney

Greg Brown

Joan Jett with Fountains of Wayne and The Suicide Commandos

Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars

Weird Al Yankovic with Tonic Sol-fa

Liverpool Legends

The Allman Brothers Band with Robert Randolph and the Family Band

Starship starring Mickey Thomas

Vince Gill Friends and Family Tour featuring Amy Grant and The Del McCoury Band

Billy Joe Shaver

B.B. King Festival featuring Al Green and Etta James and her Roots Band

Dale Watson

A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor

The Derailers

MercyMe with Aaron Shust

Def Leppard with Styx & Foreigner

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CHEESE FACTOR: 1

BABY BOOM NOSTALGIA FACTOR: 2

LAME ATTEMPT AT HIP CRED FACTOR: .5

CRAPPY COUNTRY FACTOR: 1

UNINTENTIONALLY COOL/IRONIC FACTOR: 1

QUOTE FACTOR: "Outlasting many of their glam rock and pop metal peers, Def Leppard continues to record and perform new material. Live performances are known to be loud, musically solid and full of metal intensity."

NON-MUSIC FACTOR: "Come by the Oink Booth and get your free pair of Pigs Ears courtesy of Minnesota Pork Producers."

OVERALL EVALUATION: 7 corn dogs out of 10.

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