Free entertainment on tap at Illinois State Fair

Grandstand entertainment at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, you have to pay for. But there's plenty of free music, too.

The state fair, which runs from Aug. 8 to 17, has 12 free entertainment stages. One of the stages, the Lincoln Stage, on Aug. 8 and 9 will feature the sterling Old West sound of the Sons of the San Joaquin. The California trio features brothers Jack and Joe Hannah, along with Joe's son, Lon Hannah.

The group offers a Sons of the Pioneers comparison with their tight harmonies, a rarity in today's country music. The trio, which has issued nine albums over the years, was inducted into the Western Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Lincoln Stage will also feature music from the Bucket Boys, a two-piece group of drumming virtuosos who get their name from banging on buckets (and objects); the soulful Sound of Good News, a gospel outfit from Rockford that incorporates jazz, swing and ragtime into its tunes; dancing groups; choirs; and even a hypnotist, Dan Lornitis.

The Country Junction Stage, meanwhile, will focus on country music with Still Kick'n, Dayna Malow, Borderline, the River Ramblers and the Prairieland Pickers.

Also, the Twilight Ballroom Stage will feature swing, big band and orchestra performances while the Ethnic Village Stage entertainment will showcase Jimmy's Bavarians, a German show band that plays both modern and classical Bavarian music. The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project will also perform

Other stages and their locations include: Apex Stage, Grandstand and Illinois Avenue; Budweiser True Music Stage, Avenue of Flags; Commodities Pavilion Stage, across from the Grandstand; Corona Stage, also across from the Grandstand; Hobbies, Arts & Crafts Stage, east of Lincoln Stage on Central Avenue; and the Illinois Building Auditorium, inside the Illinois Building.

Also, the Kids Korner Stage, Main Street on the south end of the Emmerson Building; Miller Light Stage, Illinois Avenue just West of Food-A-Rama; and the Twilight Ballroom Stage, Central Avenue next to the Dueling Pirates Dive Show.

Visit www.illinoisstatefair.info for a complete list of performers and their performance times.

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