We are 100 days away from the start of the Illinois State Fair and to celebrate, the Illinois State Fair announced today that Willie Nelson & Family will headline the Illinois Lottery Grandstand on Tuesday, August 16. Tickets for the show go on sale this Saturday, May 7.
Willie Nelson has earned every possible award as a musician over a career that has spanned seven decades. The ten-time Grammy Award winner has also garnered reputable credentials as an actor, author, and activist. In 1985, Nelson co-founded Farm Aid to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and help raise money to keep family farms on the land.
“Willie Nelson is a true champion for farmers,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. “I can think of no one better to help us celebrate our state’s number one industry during the fair. On top of his love for agriculture, he will be performing hits that fairgoers from every generation can sing along to.”
Opening for Nelson will be four-time Grammy nominee Elle King. King is hailed as a rising star across multiple genres, collecting hits on both the country and rock charts. King is best known for her smash hits, “Ex’s & Oh’s”, “Different for Girls” with Dierks Bentley, and most recently, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Miranda Lambert.
Four other supporting acts have been added to the 2022 Illinois Lottery Grandstand lineup:
• Sean Stemaly and Shelby Darrall will open for Sam Hunt Friday on August 12.
• Southern Illinois native and singer songwriter Kendell Marvel will open for Brooks & Dunn on Sunday, August 14.
• Hard rock vocalist Ann Wilson of Heart will open for Sammy Hagar & The Circle on Sunday, August 21.
The Illinois State Fair will kick off in 100 days with the theme, “Grow with Us.” The theme celebrates the tradition of the Illinois State Fair, while embracing the growth that is occurring around the fairgrounds, in our communities, and in our state.
Ticket sales for Willie Nelson & Family will be available on ticketmaster.com starting at 10am Saturday, May 7. Fairgoers are reminded that Ticketmaster is the only authorized ticket broker for the Illinois State Fair. All other websites and offers may be fraudulent and buyers should beware.
Friday, August 12: Sam Hunt with Sean Stemaly and Shelby Darrall
Tier 3 - $53 / Tier 2 - $58 / Tier 1 - $65 / SRO Track - $65 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $120
Saturday, August 13: Demi Lovato with TBD
Tier 3 - $45 / Tier 2 - $50 / Tier 1 - $57 / SRO Track - $57 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $112
Sunday, August 14: Brooks & Dunn with Kendell Marvel
Tier 3 - $53 / Tier 2 - $58 / Tier 1 - $65 / SRO Track - $65 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $120
Tuesday, August 16: Willie Nelson & Family with Elle King
Tier 3- $38/ Tier 2- $43/ Tier 1 -$50 / SRO Track - $50 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $105
Wednesday, August 17: Shaggy & TLC
Tier 3- $24/ Tier 2- $29/ Tier 1 -$36 / SRO Track - $36 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $91
Thursday, August 18: Jon Pardi with Lainey Wilson and Chapel Hart
Tier 3 - $33 / Tier 2 - $38 / Tier 1 - $45 / SRO Track - $45 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $100
Saturday, August 20: Disturbed with Nita Strauss
Tier 3 - $44 / Tier 2 - $49 / Tier 1 - $56 / SRO Track - $56 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $111
Sunday, August 21: Sammy Hagar & The Circle with Ann Wilson of Heart
Tier 3 - $43 / Tier 2 - $48 / Tier 1 - $55 / SRO Track - $55 / Blue Ribbon Zone - $110
*A $30 Stage Side Party ticket is offered as an additional upgrade for all paid concerts. All Stage Side Party tickets purchased before July 15 will include a free state fair parking pass for the day of the concert.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 10:17 am:
Whiskey River take my mind…
I love Willie. It’s been years since I’ve seen him in concert. I think I’ll book a hotel for Tuesday night and come down for the show.
- Da big bad wolf - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 10:39 am:
Those aren’t bad prices either.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 11:02 am:
I’m surprised Willie wasn’t playing on Sunday night, Aug. 14. In tribute to the second anniversary of Gov. Thompson’s passing. Willie was a State Fair staple during the Thompson administration.
- Mason born - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 11:05 am:
May need to take a day off and see Willie. He’s getting up there and I’d hate to put it off only to lose the opportunity later.
- very old soil - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 11:05 am:
The first Farm Aid was in Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Good times
- Tungsten - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 11:11 am:
I had tickets for his 4/20 show at the Peoria Civic Center, but sadly (and correctly), he’s not doing indoor shows in 2022 and cancelled.
- illini - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 11:37 am:
I have yet to be disappointed at any Willie Nelson concert I’ve attended. That is more than I can say about some others I was persuaded to pay good money to see.
Maybe I’ll see you there, Rich. If not, enjoy yourself.
- SAP - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 11:48 am:
This could be the first time this millennium that the State Fair has booked an act I’d like to see.
Bravo!
- Medvale School for the Gifted - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 12:21 pm:
Back in the day, Gov. Jim Thompson delighted in having “Chili with Willie” at the State Fair.
I’m sure the Pritzker folks hate that reminder, but maybe the tradition can be renewed by JB.
- Early Illinoisan - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 3:36 pm:
Besides the chili, I remember that Wiilie and the band demanded to be paid in cash…which was delivered in a suitcase by the Illinois State Police. On one of the occasions, can’t remember which year, the ISP was late. The entire band was assembled on stage but remained silent while Wille’s manager was off to the side counting the money to make sure it was all there. When he was finished and satisfied he gestured with a pointed figure to the guys on stage and said “There’s your show.”. The band then immediately kicked into to the opening number and the spotlight hit Willy.
- Skinman - Tuesday, May 3, 22 @ 3:43 pm:
Big Jim loved the fair and went almost every day