Chad King, left, and Ian Axel are A Great Big World. (photo courtesy Minnesota State Fair)
The musical smorgasbord that is the Minnesota State Fair is offering one "Great Big" pop act alongside the usual good ol' favorites on its free stages come August.
Young duo A Great Big World, which won a Grammy last year for its breakthrough collaboration with Christina Aguilera, "Say Something," will perform Aug. 29-30 at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
Otherwise, this year's free-stage lineup is the customary belly-up-to-the bar smorgasbord of warmed-over oldies, respected veterans like country star Marty Stuart and Byrd-turned-bluegrasser Chris Hillman, bubbling-under wannabes, beloved locals -- including former Jayhawks frontman Mark Olson -- and outright curiosities, like BIlly Bob Thornton's Boxmasters (pictured), who'll take the Leinie's stage Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
Here are the top acts -- or check out the fair's more detailed schedule here.
Leinie Lodge Bandshell Tonight!
Aug. 25-26: G. Love and Special Sauce
Aug. 27-28: Marty Stuart
Aug. 29-30: A Great Big World
Aug. 31-Sept. 1: Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters
Sept. 2-3: The Spinners
Sept. 4-5: War
Leinie Lodge daytime
Aug. 25-26: Martin Family Circus, Tonic Sol-fa, High Valley
Aug. 27-28: Dave Barnes, Ashley Campbell, The Bros. Landreth
Aug. 29-30: The 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band, Chris Hillman-Herb Pedersen, We Banjo 3
Aug. 31-Sept. 1: The Sound Exchange, The Quebe Sisters, Pokey LaFarge
Sept. 2-3: The Railers, Max Baca-Los TexManiacs, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Sept. 4-5: Peterson Brothers, The California Honeydrops, The Last Bandoleros, Tim Cavanagh
West End
Aug. 25-26: Reina del Cid
Aug. 27-28: Mark Olson (co-founder of the Jayhawks)
Aug. 29-30: Davina and the Vagabonds
Aug. 31-Sept. 1: The Twilight Hours
Sept. 2-3: Pert' Near Sandstone
Sept. 4-5: Sonny Knight & the Lakers
Bazaar After Dark
Aug. 25-26: Maiden Dixie
Aug. 27-28: The Not Guilty Band
Aug. 29-30: Viva Knievel
Aug. 31-Sept. 1: Salsa del Soul
Sept. 2-3: Gypsy
Sept. 4-5: GB Leighton
