With less than six weeks until the Great Jones County Fair, festival organizers are ready to roll.  After a fair kick-off last night in Monticello, Iowa residents are ready for what is said to always be the “Five Best Days of Summer.”

The fair, always held the third week in July, is filled with daily entertainment and is sure to keep all who come very busy. For only a $10 daily admission fee (or $33 for a season pass), guests are able to spend their day on the midway, visiting vendor booths, viewing exhibits, and watching livestock shows. You can also purchase tickets to see national acts perform in the amphitheatre.

For those who have never been to a concert at the Great Jones County Fair, it is an easy and cheap way to watch great performers. If you don’t want tickets in the stands or on the track, you are able to pay the ten dollar admission fee to the fair and sit on the hillside – bring your own chairs or blanket to sit on! This year, more LED screens will be added, providing a better view for those who choose to sit on the hillside.

The concert line-up begins Thursday night with Waterloo Revival and Toby Keith. Just don’t fill your red solo cups too much the first night, or you might not make it to the rest of the great line-up. Friday night gives you a great opportunity to start your weekend with Eric Church and Charlie Worsham. Saturday night is already sold out for all of amphitheater and track tickets, as Tim McGraw brings his “Shotgun Rider” tour with opener Chasin’ Crazy. Sunday is a step back from country music with a morning worship service and a 7 p.m. concert with Newsboys and Matthew West. Christian fans are sure to enjoy the last day of the fair.

With headliners like these, you have to wonder how a small town of 3,600 people could get these artists. It comes from an amazing support group of fair board members, a strong community, and a great manager. John Harms has served as manager for the last twenty-one years and last night he announced some exciting changes.

This year, instead of having beer tickets, attendees (who are of age) can sign up for a digital card that you pre-load money onto. The cards are offered via Iowa-based start-up BlendCard, and offer attendees more freedom in purchasing alcohol. You no longer have to worry about keeping track of your beer tickets and if a card is lost, you are able to get a replacement with the same amount of credit. Balances on the cards will also roll over to the next year if you still have money on your card at the end of the fair.

Be sure to arrive early if you plan to sit on the hillside, as many people line up to set their blankets and tarps down at 8 a.m. They cannot be larger than an 8x8 foot square.  If you are interested in amphitheater tickets, they are still available for Toby Keith, Eric Church, and Newsboys. The Great Jones County Fair is July 22-26, 2015.

Contributed by: Ellyn Felton

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