The Western Fair is foregoing any major headlining acts this year, filling nine nights with tribute bands on the free music stage.
Officials say local artists will open for the tribute bands each night.
The fair opens on September 11 with Shania Twin, and the last musical act on September 19 is AC/DC tribute Thunderstruck. The full schedule is as follows:
- Sept. 11 Shania Twin
- Sept. 12 We Walk the Line
- Sept. 13 Hot Rocks
- Sept. 14 Hotel California
- Sept. 15 The Dixie Chicklets
- Sept. 16 Practically Hip
- Sept. 17 Tim E. Hendry
- Sept. 18 Rattles
- Sept. 19 Thunderstruck
Van Halen played the first concert at the outdoor stage on August 5. The event drew a crowd of about 7,000.
An online page dedicated to answering questions about this year's musical acts reads "headline artists and concerts are now part of a new music strategy WFD has embarked on. Our new strategic direction for music, will focus on large outdoor concerts throughout the summer months rather than during the fair... Going forward, WFD will focus on large summer outdoor concerts in the redeveloped infield venue as we work towards our long term vision."
The fair runs a full ten days, from September 10 until September 20.
Last year, the event drew upwards of 155,000 people. Poor weather forced the cancellation of two concerts and the closure of the grounds for two days, resulting in poor numbers.
The previous year, about 170,000 people attended the fair.
