RALEIGH — Since its beginning, the North Carolina State Fair has showcased the best the state has to offer. This year the State Fair takes it up a notch with its “Homegrown North Carolina” concert series in Dorton Arena, which features a mix of rock, country, R&B, contemporary Christian, indie, salsa, Indian, beach and gospel music by acts that call the Tar Heel state home.
“We are excited to showcase even more of the musical talent that this state is known for,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “There is no shortage of talent, including several nationally known recording artists. We are proud to offer the performers a stage for their music, and hopefully, fairgoers will discover some new music while at the fair.”
The entertainment lineup follows:
Oct. 15 – Firehouse<http://www.firehousemusic.com/> with The Fifth <https://www.facebook.com/thefifthmusic> (rock)
Oct. 16 – The Great I Am: A one-night only concert with The Summit Church featuring: Kaimy Masse <https://twitter.com/kaimymassemusic>, Hank Murphy <https://twitter.com/hankmurphy63> and Summit Worship <http://www.thesummitworship.com/> (contemporary Christian)
Oct. 17 – Jason Michael Carroll<http://www.jasonmichaelcarroll.com/> with Luke Combs <http://www.lukecombs.com/> and Stephanie Quayle <http://www.stephaniequayle.com/> (country)
Oct. 18 – Orquesta GarDel <http://www.orquestagardel.com/> (Latin/salsa)
Oct. 19 – Nuv Yug<https://indiafestusa.net/index.php> presents Bollywood Night (Indian)
Oct. 20 – Black Sheep<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sheep_%28duo%29> with Shadina <https://www.reverbnation.com/shadina1> (R&B/hip hop)
Oct. 21 – Band of Oz<http://www.bandofoz.com/> & The Embers<http://theembersband.net/> (beach)
Oct. 22 – A Night of Praise, featuring the Wake Chapel Choir <http://wakechapel.net>, Instrument of Praise Gospel Concert Chorale <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Instrument-of-Praise-Concert-Chorale/108930745829848> and Watts Chapel Gospel Choir <http://www.wattschapel.org/music-ministry> (gospel) Oct. 23 – The Love Language <http://www.thelovelanguage.com/> with supporting act to be announced (indie)
Oct. 24 – Charlie Daniels Band<http://www.charliedaniels.com/> with Kasey Tyndall <http://www.kaseytyndall.com/> (country)
Oct. 25 – Nantucket<http://www.nantucketband.com/> with Sidewinder <http://www.sidewinderrocks.com/about-sidewinder.html> (rock)
All concerts are free, but floor seating (closest to the stage) will require a ticket, which can be picked up beginning at 9 a.m. the day of the show at the Dorton Arena Box Office. There is a limit of six tickets per person and tickets will only be available for that day’s show. First-come, first-served seating will be available in the arena’s permanent seating section.
Doors will open at 6:15 p.m., with shows starting at 7:30. The N.C. State Fair runs Oct. 15-25. For more information, go to www.ncstatefair.org<http://www.ncstatefair.org/2015>. Discount tickets <http://www.ncstatefair.org/2015/Visitor/Tickets.htm> to the 2015 N.C. State Fair go on sale on Monday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m.