BY STACY SOBOTKA
Excitement is in the air in Armada as the 146th annual Armada Fair will be taking place Aug. 13-19.
The headlining musical act for the fair is the country music trio Midland which will perform in the grandstand at 8:30 p.m. on opening day, Monday Aug. 13.
“We’re super excited about that,” said Armada Fair office manager Mary Straubel.
Based out of Dripping Springs, Texas, and named after the Dwight Yoakam song “Fair to Midland,” the trio consists of singer Mark Wystrach, lead guitarist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy.
Midland is the embodiment of Seventies California Country, all smooth Eagles harmonies and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics. Their songs are intoxicating, sung with the twang of George Strait. They released a self-titled EP in 2016 and a full length album “On the Rocks” last year.
“On the Rocks” has three charted singles: “Drinkin’ Problem,” “Make a Little” and “Burn Out.”
They won New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year at the 2018 ACM Awards.
“Drinkin’ Problem” received two Grammy nominations for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Song.
Danielle Bradbery will open for Midland at 8 p.m.
She is the winner of season four of “The Voice.” Her latest album is “I Don’t Believe We’ve Met,” and includes the singles “Sway” and “Worth It.”
The concert is free with fair admission. VIP Infield armbands are $10 and the infield is standing room only.
Big Rock Amusements will provide numerous midway rides and games, with daily and weekly armbands being offered.
Crowd favorites such as the Bump and Run, the Demolition Derby, the Figure Eight Race, and the Tractor and Truck Pulls are returning.
“On Saturday night the (tractor and truck) lineup is going to be a big power event; the big tractors, the big trucks, the big smokers, the big loud engines. It should be a big draw this year,” Straubel said.
The Super Kicker Rodeo will be at the Armada Fair at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17 and it will feature bull riding, bareback riding, bronco riding, barrel racing, and team roping. Free with paid fair admission.
There will plenty of events for kids as well, including a Power Wheel Race on August 16, workshops provided by the Detroit Institute of Arts, daily pedal pulls, and daily eating contests.
Advance tickets for the Armada Fair are $8 for adults, $2 for children nine to 12 and free for children eight and under. Tickets at the gate are $10 for adults, $2 for children nine to 12 and free for children eight and under.
August 14 is Military Appreciation Day, with free admission with valid military ID.
Advance tickets and more information are available at armadafair.org.
