John Michael Montgomery to headline Grant Co. Fair

MOSES LAKE - Veteran country music star John Michael Montgomery will be the headline act at the Grant County Fair next month.

Montgomery will appear at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 on the Brian Miller stage near the midway, said Grant County Fair Manager Jerry Gingrich. "So if you come to the fair, you get to see him for free," Gingrich said. Admission is $7 per day for adults, $5 per day for youths 13 to 17 years of age, $2 per day for children seven to 12 years of age and free for children less than seven years of age.

Seating will be standing room only, Gingrich said. "It will be intimate."

Gingrich said that as the new manager he's trying to get more well-known acts to perform at the fair, citing the example of the North Central Washington District Fair in Waterville. That coincides with a trend where performers are adding smaller venues to their tours.

"It's the economy that's doing that," said Vanessa Parker-Davis, Montgomery's agent. Some fans can't afford to buy the more expensive tickets at the big venues, she said.

Montgomery has been a well-known country act for 20 years, with his first hit coming in 1992. He's had 36 singles on the country music charts, including 18 that hit the top 10 and 15 that went to the top spot. Montgomery has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and won two Single of the Year awards from the Country Music Association.

Montgomery is the headliner, but there will be entertainment on the stage all weekend, including more musical acts as well as the carnival. Rodeo action comes with the Moses Lake Roundup, Thursday through Saturday nights at 7 p.m. in the arena. The arena also will be the site of the demolition derby Wednesday at 7 p.m.