Du Quoin State Fair Ticket Window Opens on Monday
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Country music star Dierks Bentley is the early leader in the Du Quoin State Fair's popularity contest among key entertainers scheduled to appear this year (Aug. 27-Sept. 6), but that could change in a hurry next week when the ticket office windows open for the first time to walkup customers.
"Actually there's been a lot of balance in the way of early mail requests," said ticket manager Tori McDonald, "but we expect the three rock music shows to be our top sellers once we open the windows."
The "rock music shows" McDonald had reference to are Cinderella (Aug. 30), Styx (Sept. 2) and Seether (Sept. 4). All are touring the country this summer and are proving to be popular at outdoor venues.
Cinderella's leader, Tom Kiefer, has been mentioned in the same breath with Mick Jagger when touting the group's version of "Heartbreak Station," one of their signature pieces.
Somewhat similar to Cinderella, Styx is a well-known group which has been around for 20 years or more, but is still proving to be popular among rock guitar fans. Dennis DeYoung is one of the group's leaders, particularly when he tears into his rendition of "Lady."
Seether, however, is expected to be the most popular of the three groups. Shaun Morgan has recently joined the hard-rock group and pumped new life into it as front man/guitarist and principal songwriter.
Nevertheless, Bentley will be difficult to replace as the most popular among the Fair's 2010 lineup as country music stars have proven to be mainstays at Du Quoin since 1964 when many stars of the "Grand Ole Opry" show made its first appearance at the main grandstand.
Interesting is the fact that Ray Price was among the group which also included Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson, Hank Snow and Ferlin Husky. Price is returning to the Fair this year along with BJ Thomas and Billy Joe Royal and will be featured the first Sunday night (Aug. 29).
Other headliners this year include Lee Ann Womack (Aug. 28), Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Sept. 3) and Southern Illinois Gospel Night (Aug. 31).
After its 10 a.m. opening Monday (July 19), the Fair's ticket office hours will be 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays. It will not be open on Sundays.