By Sydney Leyerle

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

A concert is returning to the Wood County Fair featuring country singers Craig Morgan and Easton Corbin.

On Friday at 8 p.m. a major concert will be returning to the fair. Dave Nietz, a director on the fair board, said this will be the first concert the fair has seen in five or six years.

The return has been something the board has been wanting to do for a while, but Nietz said with the pandemic they were unable to make it work. However, he said this year with it being the fair’s 150th anniversary, they were able to bring the concert back.

Morgan and Corbin are both country singers who have produced a variety of songs. Morgan is well known for his song “International Harvester” and for being a family man, Christian and veteran of the United States Army.

Corbin is known for his blend of traditional and modern country and has had two No. 1 singles in his career. He also has an agricultural background and was a FFA member.

Easton Corbin.

Easton Corbin photo.

Jessica Nagel, a director on the Fair Board, said she believes the performers for this concert will bring people to the fair who wouldn’t typically come.

“We think that both of the acts that are coming in are great fits for our community,” she said.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased online at www.woodcounty-fair.com. Grandstand seating is $35, track seating is $50 and VIP tickets are $65.

Free entertainment and concerts are also available at the fair for everyone to see and enjoy.

Returning to the Grove this year will be three free concerts. The concerts consist of the Eric Sowers Band on Monday from 7-10 p.m., HayRock on Thursday from 7-10 p.m. and Riverbend on Aug. 5 from 8-11 p.m.

Other free entertainment will be provided throughout the week for families. Nagel said there will be a variety of activities, including free laser tag, barn games and story time. She also said that the board has partnered with the Wood County District Public Library and they will be bringing in the illustrator of the book “Down on the Farm” and will be giving away free copies to families.

“There’s just all kinds of opportunities for families to do things together and make memories,” Nagel said.

Grandstand entertainment will also be returning to the fair. This year there will be harness racing, demolition derbies, a cheer competition and tractor pulls. These events are not new to the fair, but Nagel said they are some of the most popular entertainment options for fair-goers.

All the entertainment options are designed for families and Nagel said she hopes it brings people together.

“Everything that we are doing, since it’s the 150th anniversary, everything is about traditions and things that families can do together,” she said. “So, we tried to make all of our entertainment to be family friendly and things that really represent what our fair families enjoy.”