DES MOINES, IA (05/22/2012)(readMedia)-- The 2012 Iowa State Fair free stage line-up is packed with a variety of entertainment and acts. From musical legends to Vaudeville comedy, "Nothing Compares" to this much entertainment, all free with gate admission. The Iowa State Fair runs August 9-19.
Boyz II Men holds the distinction as the best-selling R&B group of all time, with an astounding 60 million albums sold. For the past two decades, Boyz II Men have given fans a rich catalog of hits, like "End of the Road" and "I'll Make Love to You." Most recently, Boyz II Men marked their 20th anniversary by releasing a landmark album, fittingly titled "Twenty."
Honored with 17 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, WAR is one of the greatest rock groups of all time. WAR's album, "The World Is A Ghetto," attained the number one spot on Billboard Magazine. Their classic songs include, "Low Rider," "Slippin' Into Darkness" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?"
The Fair brings theater to the stage with the Handsome Little Devils' Squirm Burpee Circus, an exhilarating, fantastical adventure featuring classic Vaudeville comedy, high-skill circus acts and a plot rooted in American melodrama.
Thirty-six acts, including more crowd-pleasing favorites like The Afters, Here Come the Mummies, and Hunter Hayes will be featured on the Fair's five free stages. Throughout the 11 days, Fairgoers can enjoy more than half a million dollars worth of free entertainment.
Discounted admission tickets are available now through August 8, with savings up to 30 percent. Purchase tickets now online at www.iowastatefair.org. The Iowa State Fair Ticket Office opens July 9 for walk-up orders.
A complete listing of event dates, times and locations follows:
Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage sponsored by KCCI NewsChannel 8
August 9-10 The Nadas (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 11 Brother Trucker (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 12-13 Handsome Little Devils (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 14 Brett Eldredge (8 p.m.)
August 15 Dia Frampton (8 p.m.)
August 16 Glen Templeton (8 p.m.)
August 17-18 The Blue Band (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 19 Here Come the Mummies (7:30 p.m.)
Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi
August 9 JJ Grey and Mofro (8 p.m.)
August 10 Action Item (8 p.m.)
August 11 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation (7 p.m.)
August 12 The Afters (8 p.m.)
August 13-17 Hypnotist Ron Diamond (7 & 9 p.m.)
August 18 The Downtown Fiction (8 p.m.)
August 19 Street Corner Symphony (7 p.m.)
Budweiser Stage sponsored by ABC5
August 9-10 Bob Wootton (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 11-12 Elvis Impersonator Travis LeDoyt (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 13-14 Restless Heart (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 15-16 Strawberry Fields (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 17-18 Dave Mason Duo (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 19 WAR (8 p.m.)
Susan Knapp Amphitheater with media sponsor KDSM FOX 17
August 9 Steve Holy (8 p.m.)
August 10 Mockingbird Sun (8 p.m.)
August 11 Will Hoge (8 p.m.)
August 12 Blackberry Smoke (8 p.m.)
August 13-14 Hairball (7:30 & 9:30 p.m.)
August 15 Hunter Hayes (8 p.m.)
August 16 Country Gold featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Narvel Felts, Rex Allen Jr. and The Quebe Sisters (6 & 8:30 p.m.)
August 17 Marlee Scott (8 p.m.)
August 18 JT Hodges (8 p.m.)
August 19 Boyz II Men (7 p.m.)
Fun Forest Stage sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union
(All shows ASL interpreted)
August 9-19 Babaloo (11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.)
August 9-19 Matt's Family Jam (11:30 a.m., 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.)
August 9-19 VSA Iowa Presents (various artists) (Noon, 2 & 4 p.m.)
"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.
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