Joe Walsh to perform at Illinois State Fair         

Tickets go on sale Saturday, the same day the Grandstand ticket office opens

[June 02, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Beginning Saturday, fairgoers can purchase tickets for 2007 Illinois State Fair concerts at the Grandstand box office on the fairgrounds, including an Aug. 18 performance by legendary rock guitarist Joe Walsh.

The Illinois State Fair announced Friday that Walsh, whose lengthy career has produced such hits as "Life's Been Good," "Rocky Mountain Way" and "Ordinary Average Guy," has been booked to fill the last open date in this year's Grandstand entertainment lineup.

"We were searching for a classic rock act to add variety to this year's lineup and feel fortunate that a performer of Walsh's caliber was available," said Amy Bliefnick, state fair manager. "It should be a great show."

Tickets for the Walsh concert cost $22 and go on sale Saturday, the same day the box office opens for the summer. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 2 and then every Saturday starting July 7through the end of the fair.

Concert tickets also can be purchased by mail, phone or computer. Mail orders should be sent to Illinois State Fair Ticket Office, P.O. Box 19427, Springfield, IL 62794-9427. Forms are available at www.illinoisstatefair.info. Ticketmaster processes phone and online sales. Fairgoers can either call 800-827-8927 or visit Ticketmaster.com on the Internet to place an order.

The Illinois State Fair does not provide refunds or exchanges on ticket purchases. All sales are final. Ticket prices for each of the shows are listed below:

(Date, performer, ticket prices)

• Aug. 10 -- Gretchen Wilson with Blaine Larsen; $30-25-20 reserved, $30 track

• Aug. 11 -- Corbin Bleu and Drake Bell; $20 reserved, $20 track

• Aug. 12 -- Daughtry; $27-23-20 reserved, $27 track

• Aug. 13 -- Illinois Symphony; free admission

• Aug. 14 -- Evening harness racing; free admission

• Aug. 15 -- Evening harness racing; free admission

• Aug. 16 -- Evening harness racing; free admission

• Aug. 17 -- Martina McBride with Carolyn Dawn Johnson; $35-30-25 reserved, $35 track

• Aug. 18 -- Joe Walsh; $22 reserved, $22 track

• Aug. 18 -- USAC Silver Crown Series; $20 adults, $10 children

• Aug. 19 -- Sugarland with Joe Nichols; $22 reserved, $22 track

• Aug. 19 -- ARCA Super Series; $20 adults, $10, children

Dates for the 2007 Illinois State Fair are Aug. 10-19.

[Text from Illinois State Fair news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]