Free stage to feature 8 nights of music at Putnam County Fair

With Dixie Chopper returning as the title sponsor, the free stage at the Putnam County Fair will again provide some of the best entertainment to be had in the next week, all at no additional charge.

Fair Board member Rick Johnston has again assembled a talented lineup to entertain the fair crowds.

Highlighted by four nights of the 2015 Putnam County Star competition (see page 4A), the stage will also feature a variety of sounds by some eclectic entertainers.

The music kicks off from 7-10 p.m. Friday with the Noah Lee Band. Lee is a country music singer/songwriter and "simple man just trying to get ahead in life and play some music along the way."

The music continues at 7 p.m. Saturday with a chance for anyone to get up on stage and perform as Keith Byers Entertainment presents a karaoke contest.

Things get quiet at 6 p.m. Sunday with the vespers service.

Right after vespers, the four-night Putnam County Star competition kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The contest will continue at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, with the finale at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Bloomington-based funk rockers 800 lb. Gorilla will continue the tunes from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday with their funky rock/jam music featuring sax, guitar, keyboards and vocal harmonies.

Finally, regional country favorites Phillip Steven & The Open Road will bring their high-energy brand of country music.

Notable in its absence after two years is a paid concert at the outdoor arena. Despite bringing Nashville talent Clayton Anderson to the fair for two years, the event was called off this year due to lack of interest from local audiences.