Flying under the radar, Wisconsin State Fair has music

Tonight, the Wisconsin State Fair tickets will be scanned, and people will be walking through the turnstiles. Aside from the food, the animals, the crazy looking people who only go to state fair, there are bands playing on the race track.

The bands are mostly nostalgia acts or smaller draws, but for the die hard fan it matters not. For example, REO Speedwagon performs tonight. When I was in high school, REO was the biggest band on the freaking planet. I am certain that they have followers who are totally psyched up to see them perform tonight.

When I scanned their web page, I looked over their tour, and I must admit that they set up a sweet tropical leg that includes Aruba, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Those dudes are hanging out by the beach for sure.

For the faithful, Jeremy Camp performs at the Wisconsin State Fair later in the week. Camp has many solo albums, and is an ordained minister. You know what that means. If you go see him perform, you get to skip church that week.

From his website, he has stated: “If one person were to accept Jesus through my death, it would all be worth it. I said that in [this] interview and right when I said that, this whole fog of everything that had been going on in my life finally cleared.” Jeremy would like to join the ranks of Male deities like Osiris, Adonis, Tammuz, Zalmoxis, phoenix, Jesus, Baldr, and Odin. He has reached the final stage of letting go of his personal life, and living the spiritual life. Judging by the picture of him with outstretched arms, in crucifixion style, he is leaning towards the deity of Jesus.

But I digress. Check out the cows at State Fair, have a baked potato, avoid the freaks who hope to be the next Jesus.

Wisconsin State Fair announces thier shows

The Wisconsin State fair tickets, for shows that run the gamut, are available months in advance. Truly a family event, the Wisconsin State Fair books music that ranges from REO Speedwagon, to Vanessa Hudgens to the Doodlebops. The stage is set on the infield of the Milwaukee Mile. The best seats are on the track, with the worst seats being the grandstand seats. Sometimes, if you are slick about it, you can view the acts from the infield parking lot. It's a view from the side, but it can be done. You just have to watch out for the horse riding cops that patrol the infield lots. They will make you "move along" if you stay too long in one spot. Personally, I haven't seen a show there in many years. I would have to say that the best show I saw at State Fair was Billy Idol back in 1984. He was in interesting shape that night.

Don't forget the Wisconsin State Fair!

In the past ten years, The Wisconsin State Fair has received mixed reviews when it comes to the musical acts it provides to the nearly one million visitors that walk through the gates. Personally, I have bought Wisconsin State fair tickets for acts as tame as Harry Belafonte, as "out there" as The Village People, and as "old school" as Billy Idol. This year, The Doobie Brothers, Corbin Bleu, Kool and The Gang (with Rubin Studdard), The BoDeans, Switchfoot, and others will appear over the ten day run.

The Kids From Wisconsin are always there, the fake putumayo/world music players can be seen at a side stage, but my favorite band for a side stage is SHAG at the Double K ranch (food tent). They rock and rule.

See you around the cattle barn!