You have probably seen him on Geico Insurance commercials lately, and this summer you can see him under the covered Grandstand at the Berrien County Youth Fair: The Charlie Daniels Band.  Charlie and his fiddle, along with country newcomer Eric Church as the opening act, will perform in the grandstand in a long-awaited return since his last stint in Berrien Springs in 2001.

And rock fans will be happy about rock coming back to the fair with Skid Row and Firehouse, with a first time general admission “no seats” section for that show. Tickets for all six nights of fair week. Grandstand entertainment will go on sale Saturday, April 17.

The 65th annual Berrien County Youth Fair, with the theme “A Treasure Chest of the County’s Best,” is Aug. 16-21.

The BCYF Entertainment Committee announced Wednesday that the Charlie Daniels Band will headline the Grandstand entertainment on Wednesday, Aug. 18. With his signature “bullrider” hat and showing off his skills on the guitar, fiddle and mandolin, the fans are sure to hear “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” for which the country music legend is most famous. A full-fledged member of the Grand Ole Opry, Daniels has gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums, multiple awards from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the Gospel Music Association and a Grammy.

Before the Charlie Daniels Band hits the stage, rising country newcomer, Eric Church will take the stage Aug. 18. A native of North Carolina, he’s been writing music since he was 13 years old and also taught himself how to play the guitar. Coming onto the country music scene in 1996 with “Two Pink Lines,” he made a name for himself and has had other hits such as “How Bout You,” “Guys Like Me,” “Love Your Love the Most” and his latest release, “Hell on the Heart.” Country concert night is sponsored by Chemical Bank and 97.5 Y-Country.

Skid Row and special guest Firehouse will bring rock back to the fair Thursday, Aug. 19. It has been about 10 years since the fair has featured a rock band.

Board member Mark Young said: “After several years without a rock-and-roll show, the Entertainment Committee thought this was the right year to let the new generation of classic rock play in the grandstand. As a member of that new generation I am excited to see two bands I saw in my high school and college days perform at the fair.”

At this show the grandstand will have a special general admission section for concert-goers who choose to stand during the show, which will be accessed with a special wristband.  Reserved track seats and grandstand bleacher seats will still be available.

Multi-platinum status band Skid Row began in 1986 with founding members Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan.  Frontman Johnny Solinger and the band have logged a few 100,000 bus miles touring since their early “hair band” days. Fans will hear songs like “18 and Life,” “I Remember You” and “Youth Gone Wild” when they make a stop at the Berrien County Youth Fair.

Special guest Firehouse will be the opening band. Firehouse has been rockin’ worldwide for more than a decade. You can expect to hear what Firehouse is famous for, which is soulful, melodic hard rock in songs like “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and “Love of a Lifetime.” The rock concert is sponsored by Rock 107 WIRX.

The rest of the BCYF Grandstand lineup includes the traditional Truck and Tractor Pull on the opening day of the fair, Monday, Aug. 16, sponsored by WSJM radio. Kids Day is Tuesday, Aug. 17 with three free Circus Continental shows, sponsored by United Federal Credit Union and 98.3 the Coast. The rodeo style show, Bullmania, returns Friday, Aug. 20, and the extremely popular Demolition Derby closes out the fair on Saturday, Aug. 21, presented by ROCK 107 WIRX.

Tickets for grandstand entertainment go on sale Saturday, April 17. New this year will be two different ticket sale times. Tickets purchased in person or by phone will start at 8 a.m. at the Fair Office in Berrien Springs, or by phone at (269) 473-1500. Online ticket sales will begin at 2 p.m. the same day at www.bcyf.org. The fair is once again offering a special deal on one-day gate admission tickets April 17 through Aug. 1. The sale price will be $5 each with the purchase of a grandstand ticket, which is $1 off of the regular price.

2010 BCYF Grandstand Entertainment line-up:

Monday, Aug. 16: Super Farm Tractor, 2 W/D Truck, 4 W/D Truck and Modified Tractor Pull
Showtime: 7 p.m. welcomed by WSJM AM 1400 and 94.9 FM
Ticket price: $10 reserved seating

Tuesday, Aug. 17: Circus Continental
Welcomed by United Federal Credit Union and 98.3 the Coast
Showtime: 1, 4 and 7 p.m.
Ticket price: free

Also on Tuesday: High school children and younger are admitted for free to the Fair for Kids’ Day.  Discounted rides will be offered until 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 18:    Charlie Daniels Band and Eric Church, welcomed by Chemical Bank and 97.5 Y-Country
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m.
Ticket price: $30 for prime seating, $25 for grandstand seating

Thursday, Aug. 19: Skid Row with special guest Firehouse, welcomed by Rock 107 WIRX
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Ticket prices: $20 for prime seating & general admission; $15 for grandstand seating

Friday, Aug. 20: Bullmania (featuring bull riding), produced by Super Kicker Rodeo Production
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Ticket prices: $7 reserved seating

Saturday, Aug. 21: Demolition Derby, produced by Unique Motor Sports
Showtime: 7 p.m., welcomed by Rock 107 WIRX
Ticket prices: $12 reserved seating

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Tickets may be purchased 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
At the Fair Office in Berrien Springs or by calling the Fair Office (269) 473-1500 or (269) 473-4251

Starting at 2:00 p.m. orders can be placed on-line at www.bcyf.org

Phone and internet orders must use a credit card for payment
and a $1.00 handling fee per ticket will be charged.

After April 17, tickets will be available on-line anytime at www.bcyf.org, and also in person or on the phone during regular office hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Handicap seating is available.

Fair Office hours are:
Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address:
9122 Old US 31
P.O. Box 7
Berrien Springs, MI  49103

Phone Numbers:
(269) 473-1500 or (269) 473-4251

Fax Number:
(269) 473-4203

Website:
www.bcyf.org