Grandstand entertainment

Natasha Bedingfield and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are the latest artists to announce 2008 Illinois State Fair appearances

[May 27, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- British pop star Natasha Bedingfield and American female rock pioneer Joan Jett have joined the stellar Grandstand entertainment lineup that has been assembled for the 2008 Illinois State Fair. Amy Bliefnick, state fair manager, made the announcement Friday.

The 26-year-old Bedingfield, who has sold more than 10 million singles and albums worldwide, will perform Aug. 16 with "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens. Bedingfield is best known in the United States for her chart-topping hit "Unwritten," which in 2006 was the most played song on mainstream American radio.

Jett, who has recorded nine Top 40 hits in her illustrious career, including the rock anthem "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," will open for Huey Lewis and the News on Aug. 10. She and her band, the Blackhearts, have been performing since the early 1980s and have eight platinum and gold albums to their credit. In 2003, Rolling Stone named Jett one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

"These two artists are a great complement to our 2008 state fair concerts," Bliefnick said. "They finalize an already superstar lineup."

Both concerts will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased on the Internet at Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-827-8927 or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet. Beginning June 7 at 10 a.m., tickets for the shows also can be purchased on the fairgrounds at the Grandstand box office. Printable order forms are posted at www.illinoisstatefair.info.

All adults and children 3 years of age and older must have a ticket for Grandstand concerts and events. All sales are final. The fair does not provide refunds or exchanges on ticket purchases.

Grandstand schedule
(Date; performer; ticket prices: reserved, track)

Aug. 8 -- Harness racing (noon post-time); free admission

Aug. 8 -- Fergie; $38-34-30, $38

Aug. 9 -- Harness racing (noon post-time); free admission

Aug. 9 -- Weird Al Yankovic; $20-10-10, $20

Aug. 10 -- Huey Lewis and the News with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts; $30-25-20, $30

Aug. 11 -- Harness racing (noon post-time); free admission

Aug. 11 -- Illinois Symphony; free admission

Aug. 12 -- Twilight harness racing; free admission

Aug. 13 -- Twilight harness racing; free admission

Aug. 14 -- Twilight harness racing; free admission

Aug. 15 -- ZZ Top, and Toyota Tundra presents Brooks and Dunn; $38-34-30, $38

Aug. 16 -- Natasha Bedingfield with Vanessa Hudgens; $25-20-20, $25

Aug. 16 -- USAC Silver Crown series; adult $20, child $10

Aug. 17 -- Trace Adkins with Trent Tomlinson; $25-20-18, $25

Aug. 17 -- ARCA Super Series auto races; adult $20, child $10

*All the artists listed above have approved this announcement; however, concerts are subject to contracts being finalized.

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