The Guess Who L-R Greg Smith, Bass and vocals – Michael Staertow, Guitars and Vocals – Teddy Andreadis, Multi-instrumentalist and vocals – Derek Sharp, Guitars, Piano and Lead Vocals – Garry Peterson, Drums and Vocals, (Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND — The Nebraska State Fair and 1868 Foundation with local business support are pleased to announce The Guess Who in concert on Tuesday, August 27, at the Heartland Events Center as part of the Nebraska Lottery Concert Series.
“Our partnership with the 1868 Foundation and Spirit in the Sky Productions has proven to be a nice benefit for the fair by increasing our Tuesday attendance and offering a rock option in the Nebraska Lottery Concert Series,” said Jaime Parr, executive director of the Nebraska State Fair. “We love having classic rock stars The Guess Who in our lineup for 2024. Having them on the $3 Tuesday makes Tuesday even more terrific!”
Tickets for The Guess Who indoor concert at the Heartland Events Center go on sale Friday, March 22. Tickets can only be purchased online at statefair.org or at the State Fair box office throughout the week. All seats are reserved, ranging from $25 up to $50 for Tom Dinsdale Automotive VIP seats, plus fees. All tickets include gate admission. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Guess Who got their start in 1965 as the first Canadian band to achieve a chart topping single in the United States during the Billboard Hot 100 Era. In total, The Guess Who charted 14 Top 40 singles in the U.S. including number one hits “American Woman” and “No Sugar Tonight.” Other hits include “These Eyes,” “Laughing,” “No Time,” “Share the Land,” “Undun,” and “Hand Me Down World.” Who could ever forget homage to famed radio DJ Robert Weston Smith (Wolfman Jack) in “Clap of the Wolfman.”
Lindsey Koepke, executive director of the 1868 Foundation said, “After last year’s huge success in presenting Three Dog Night, we knew we were making a wise investment as an added bonus to our membership and support for an affordable concert for all fairgoers. The Guess Who is the perfect complement to the State Fair’s concert line-up. The concert sponsorship of The Guess Who lines up perfectly with our mission of raising funds for the overall improvement of the Nebraska State Fair.”
Nebraskans already know the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation is instrumental in providing additional funds for State Fair improvements ranging from infrastructure to much needed equipment purchases. Recently the Foundation increased premiums for 4H and FFA youth as well as investing in live entertainment that Nebraskans would not otherwise see.
Sponsorship of this year’s concert is in cooperation with Spirit in the Sky Productions, co-presented by locally owned GI Family Radio and the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation. Additional sponsors include Tom Dinsdale Automotive, Galloway Financial Advisors, Pizza Hut, Middleton Electric and Partnership Marketing.
Jay Vavricek of Spirit in the Sky Productions said, “Nebraskans should get set to have a great time so go online right away to select your best seats. Line up a babysitter and gather your friends to plan a night out to party to see The Guess Who on $3 Tuesday at the Nebraska State Fair.”
“This is a true community effort with like-minded leaders joining forces for the continued success of the State Fair with an additional concert at an affordable price,” Vavricek said, “The Guess Who is guaranteed to be a real crowd pleaser and simply would not happen without everyone’s support.”
Vavricek said, “We appreciate the work of Jaime Parr and her team at the State Fair along with the fair’s yellow clad volunteers who are always on hand to make sure your day at the State Fair is special.”
This is the final announcement of seven days of high-quality national touring acts in the Nebraska Lottery Series. Already announced shows include Christian stars Casting Crowns and Anne Wilson on Sunday, August 25; the Older Nebraskans Day concert featuring the Gatlin Brothers and Lorrie Morgan on Monday, August 26; country star Riley Green on Wednesday, August 28; Hispanic music legend Ramón Ayala y sus Bravos del Norte on Thursday, August 29; Red Dirt stars Turnpike Troubadours with special guests Shane Smith and the Saints on Friday, August 30; and the Saturday night, August 31, series-closing act, Yung Gravy with opening act Tayler Holder. Tickets for all shows are available at statefair.org.
With the theme, All Roads Lead to Fun, the 2024 Nebraska State Fair is August 23-September 2 at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The fair has drawn more than 4 million visitors to its home in Grand Island since 2010. More information about agricultural events and competitions, carnival entertainment, and other musical performances is available at statefair.org.
