Big names highlight county fair's concert schedule

By PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:05 PM PDT ∞

Fergie, Sugarland, B.B. King and Earth, Wind & Fire. They're names that practically guarantee a sellout at most local concert venues. But this year, they're all performing at the San Diego County Fair.

This year's grandstand lineup is the most impressive ever booked by the county fair officials, and it also features the largest number of acts making their first appearance at the fair.

Yet while fairgoers will be able to listen to these A-list acts while they cruise the midway, munch on funnel cakes and shop for kitchen gadgets, they'll have to ante up a little extra at the grandstand gate to see them perform. All four the above-named acts, as well as a concert by Boston on July 3, require a separate ticket for entry.

But don't worry, music fans, there are still plenty of free concerts on several stages throughout the fair's run to please almost any musical appetite. Below is the list of major concert performers at the fair this summer. Acts on the community stage are not listed, but can be found online. All concerts are free with paid fair admission except for the five grandstand acts. Most grandstand acts (including the free concerts) offer special dinner packages and reserved seating. Sundays are family days targeted to the local Latino community, and many of the concert acts are Mexican bandas, Norteno groups and other Latin-themed entertainers.

San Diego County Fair

When: 10 a.m. to midnight, Saturday through July 6; the fair will be closed June 16 and 23

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar

Tickets: $12, adults; $6, ages 6 to 12 and 62 and over; children 5 and under are free; parking is $9

Phone: (858) 793-5555

Info: www.sdfair.com

Summer Concert Series at the Grandstand

Concerts are free unless otherwise noted. All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Saturday: Reggae Festival with Steel Pulse, Pato Banton & the Mystic Roots Band and Pau Hana (reggae); starts at 1 p.m.

Sunday: La Arrolladora Banda el Limon with Los Rieleros del Norte (Mexican banda and Norteno)

Tuesday: Grand Funk Railroad and The Guess Who ('70s rock)

Wednesday: Sinbad (stand-up comedy)

June 19: Dwight Yoakam (country solo act)

June 20: Earth, Wind & Fire (soul/funk); $25, general admission; $50-$99, reserved

June 21: Doodlebops Live! (Disney Channel preschool rock); starts at 5 p.m.

June 22: Los Huracanes del Norte (Mexican Norteno septet)

June 24: Third World with LaserSpectacular featuring the music of Pink Floyd (reggae and rock show)

June 25: Cartel (alternative rock)

June 26: B.B. King (blues/jazz guitar); $20, general; $50-$100 reserved

June 27: Fergie (hip-hop/pop vocalist); $35-$131

June 28: Fourth Annual Gospel Festival featuring Tye Tribbett & G.A. and Byron Cage; starts at 7 p.m.

June 29: Intocable with Los Horoscopos de Durango (Texas-born Tejano/Norteno group)

June 30: "Weird Al" Yankovic (musical parody singer/comedy)

July 1: Sugarland (country/pop duo); $25, general; $56-$81, reserved

July 2: Little Big Town (country/pop quartet)

July 3: Boston ('70s/'80s rock); $25, general; $50-$91, reserved

July 4: Navy Band Southwest, KC and the Sunshine Band ('70s disco/pop) and fireworks

Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series

All concerts are free and begin at 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Kush & Jah Blood Fiyah Angels & Subtil from Martinique (reggae)

Wednesday: Rare Earth (classic rock/soul/funk)

June 19: Cash'd Out (Johnny Cash tribute)

June 24: Alika from Argentina with Quinto Sol (Latin reggae)

June 25: Canned Heat (electric blues/rock/boogie)

June 26: Jamie O'Neal (country singer/songwriter)

June 28: Singer/Songwriter Day; local artists perform all day

July 1: Elijah Emanuel & the Revelations with Island Iri (reggae)

July 2: Blood, Sweat and Tears (classic rock)

July 3: Deana Carter (country vocalist)

July 5: Joan Osborne (country/folk/rock)

July 6: War (rock/Latin/funk/blues)

Chevrolet Del Mar Arena

Although reserved mostly for animal and competitive events, a few concert-style events will take place in the arena.

June 21: San Diego Bluegrass Society hosts all-day entertainment from noon to 8 p.m. during the Craft Brewers Competition.

June 26: "Blazin' Hip Hop Dance Battle" will feature Blazin 98.9 FM's DJs spinning hip-hop dance music from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 6: Alacranes Musical (Mexican/Duranguanese); 7:30 p.m.

Solid Gold Series - San Diego Showcase Stage

All concerts presented twice, from 11 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 2 p.m.

June 19: Micky Dolenz of the Monkees ('60s/'70s pop)

June 26: Pat Boone (pop/traditional/gospel)

July 3: Charo (Flamenco guitar/singer/comedy)

Coors Light Rock-On Stage

All concerts start at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Saturday: Tribal Seeds (roots reggae)

Sunday: The Hype (North County rock 'n' roll)

Tuesday: Keltik Kharma (Celtic/New Age violin/guitar duo)

Wednesday: Unsteady (ska/reggae with horns)

June 19: Clay Colton Band (classic rock cover band)

June 20: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones tribute)

June 21: In Color (Cheap Trick tribute)

June 22: Lady Dottie and the Diamonds (blues/soul)

June 24: Band in Black (Johnny Cash tribute)

June 25: The Hank Show (Hank Williams Sr. tribute)

June 26: Mishavonna (California country singer/songwriter)

June 27: Wild Child (The Doors tribute)

June 28: The Cured (The Cure tribute)

June 29: Bayadera (R&B/Latin)

June 30: Fleetwood Max (Fleetwood Mac tribute)

July 1: North County Cowboys (country superstars tribute)

July 2: Mursic (progressive/alt/symphonic-synth rock)

July 4: Battle of the Bands; finals of 94.9FM's contest; 5:30-8 p.m.

July 4: Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin tribute)

July 5: Joe Lara and Slider Blue (country/pop band)

July 6: Under a Blood Red Sky (U2 tribute)