FAIR ANNOUNCES GRANDSTAND LINE-UP
Youth Fair officials have announced the 2023 lineup of entertainment acts for the 77th Berrien County Youth Fair. The BCYF entertainment committee is excited to bring two of country music’s most loved artists; Craig Morgan on Wednesday and Lee Greenwood on Thursday. Fair officials made the announcement on Wednesday, along with the rest of the 2023 BCYF grandstand lineup.
Starting off the week on SUNDAY, August 13 at 6 pm, the BCYF brings back the Street Legal Pickup Truck and Tractor Pull for it’s second year. After an overwhelming turnout in 2022 and with no gate admission fee into the fair itself, this event is an affordable option for those looking to kick off the week a day early!
The always popular, always loud, Tractor Pull is slated to return on Monday, August 14 at 7 pm with a different set of classes than Sunday. This year’s pull will again be an NTPA regional event and will feature Super Farm, Mini Rod, Hot Farm and Limited Light Superstock Tractors. The event is sponsored by Co-Alliance.
Tuesday, August 16, also known as “Kids Day” the grandstand will feature three FREE Circus Continental shows, sponsored by Honor Credit Union. Circus Continental has been entertaining kids and adults alike since the late 1960’s at the Berrien County Youth Fair. Don’t miss out on this family and wallet friendly show!
On Wednesday, August 16 at 7 pm, one of country music’s best-loved artists, Craig Morgan, will take the stage.
Craig Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music icon, TV personality, author, celebrated outdoorsman and patriotic Army veteran. Morgan has amassed over 2 billion career streams and charted over 25 songs on Billboard. His hits include “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” “This Ole Boy,” “Soldier,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and his faith-filled tribute to his son Jerry, “The Father, My Son and The Holy Ghost.”
Craig received one of country music’s highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Prior to becoming a country music star and TV sensation, Morgan spent seventeen years serving our country in the Army and Army Reserves. Morgan remains an avid supporter of America’s military personnel. He is a member of the U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame and recipient of the USO Merit Award. In 2018 he was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, one of the highest awards the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, in recognition of his significant dedication to our military men and women around the world.
In God, Family, Country, Craig’s memoir, released in partnership with Blackstone Publishing, he details all aspects from his inspiring life. In it he reveals never-before-heard stories including how he worked alongside the CIA as a soldier in Panama, fought sex traffickers as an undercover agent in Thailand, forged his own path to country music stardom, and lives his life by the deepest values: God, family, country.
Opening up before Craig on Wednesday will be up and coming band, The Red Clay Strays.
The Red Clay Strays are forging a new path with their spellbinding, genre-bending, brand of tunes. Inspired by the vibrant heyday of southern music, while also ushering in a new era of rock-and-roll that is as distinctive as the men who form it, Brandon Coleman (lead vocals/guitar), Drew Nix (vocals/electric guitar/hormonica), Zach Rishel (electric guitar), Andrew Bishop (bass), and John Hall (drums), blend their unique individualities and influences to create a sound with a rare sincerity that isn’t often seen in today’s industry. After spending the past five years cutting their teeth in the Gulf Cost music scene while simultaneously running the roads discovering who they are and where they belong in the world, The Red Clay Strays are taking the world by storm with their music, one performance at a time.
Hitting the stage on Thursday, August 17, Lee Greenwood will put on a memorable show for fans. The show, which is sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power – Cook Nuclear Plant, will start at 7 pm.
Music has always been a part of Lee Greenwood’s life. He started playing the piano when he was seven and the saxophone at 12. In junior high, he started his first group called the “Moonbeams.” By the time he finished high school, he played most all the instruments in the orchestra and was the Drum Major for the marching band.
With seven #1 songs & 25 charted singles to his credit, choosing songs proved to be a success for Greenwood. His country hits include “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ring On Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” “She’s Lying,” “I Don’t Mind the Thorns (If You’re the Rose),” “ Dixie Road,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “ Going Going Gone,” “You Got a Good Love Comin,” “Fools Gold,” “Mornin Ride,” “IOU,” and the duet with Barbara Mandrell, “To Me,” and of course the song for which he’s most known for “God Bless the U.S.A.”
“God Bless the U.S.A.” went far beyond what Greenwood expected when he wrote it in the back of his tour bus in 1983. The song has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001 and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It was also #1 on the pop charts after 9/11. “God Bless the U.S.A.” is performed at all military and patriotic events throughout the year all across America. “U.S.A.” has also been in several movies and is now part of the film show by The Department of Homeland Security when new citizens are sworn in to the United States.
Greenwood has won numerous industry awards including Male Vocalist of the Year from the Academy of country Music in 1983, two Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association in 1983 and 1984 and a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance in 1985 for “IOU.” THE CMA also named “God Bless the U.S.A.” its Song of the Year in 1985.
Opening up for Greenwood on Wednesday will be a regional group called The Riflemen. Having recently recorded an album in Nashville, fairgoers will get a first look at an up and coming group.
Returning on Friday, August 18, at 8 pm, derby promoter TNT Demolition Derby, will bring back the crowd favorite demolition derby. Derby fans can expect to see Big Car Lite Modifieds, Small Trucks and SUVs, RS Bone stock Big Cars, Mini Van Bone stock FWD, Small Car Bone-stock FWD and Youth Small Car Bone stock FWD.
Saturday, August 19 at 7 pm, fans can rest assured the BCYF has brought back the crowd favorite, Bullmania, including crowd favorite bull riding and kid favorite, mutton busting. Sponsored by our friends at Rural King, this night is always fun for all that attend!
Tickets for grandstand shows go on sale Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 9:00 am at the Fair office, online at www.bcyf.org or by phone at 269-473-1500 (ticket fees do not include gate admission).
The 77th Berrien County Youth Fair runs August 14-19, 2023 with the theme of “Summer Safari”.
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2023 BCYF Grandstand Entertainment line-up:
Sunday, Aug. 13: Street Legal Pickup Truck & Tractor Pull
Show time: 6:00 pm
Ticket Price: $12 general admission seating
Monday, Aug. 14: NTPA Regional Truck Pull featuring Super Farm, Mini Rods, Hot Farm, Limited Light Superstock
Sponsored by: Co-Alliance
Show time: 7:00 pm
Ticket Price: $8, $12, $14
Tuesday, Aug. 15: Circus Continental
Sponsored by: Honor Credit Union
Show time: 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00
Ticket Price: FREE
ALSO ON TUESDAY: High School children and younger are admitted for FREE to the Fair for Kids’ Day.
Wednesday, Aug. 16: Craig Morgan w/ special guests the Red Clay Strays
Show Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket Price: $53, $43, $17
Thursday, Aug. 17: Lee Greenwood w/ special guests The Riflemen
Sponsored by: Indiana Michigan Power – Cook Nuclear
Show Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket Prices: $43, $33, $12
Friday, Aug. 18: Demolition Derby
Produced by: TNT Demolition Derby Michigan
Show Time: 8:00 pm
Ticket Prices: $13
Saturday, Aug. 19: Bullmania
Produced by: Super Kicker Rodeo
Sponsored by: Rural King
Show Time: 7:00 pm
Ticket Prices: $12
Ticket Sale Day
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Tickets may be purchased starting at 9:00 am.
Internet orders should be done so on the Berrien County Youth Fair website at www.bcyf.org or phone by calling 269-473-1500.
Phone & internet orders must use a credit card for payment
(Ticket fees do not include gate admission)
After March 29, tickets will be available on-line anytime at www.bcyf.org, in person during regular office hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by phone at 269-473-1500 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ticket fees do not include gate admission). Handicap seating is available but limited.
Fair Office hours are:
Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Address:
9122 US Hwy. 31
P.O. Box 7
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Phone Numbers:
Fair office: 269-473-4251
Ticket Hotline: 269-473-1500
(ticket fees do not include gate admission)
Fax Number:
269-473-4203
Website:
