HOULTON, Maine — Big changes are coming to this year’s Houlton Agricultural Fair, slated for June 30-July 4.
For the first time in nine years, a headlining artist will appear in Houlton as the fair has booked country music artist John Anderson to perform at Houlton Community Park.
“Basically, how this all came about is with a five-day fair this year, we had an extra day to fill with entertainment,” Paul Clearly, president of the Houlton Agricultural Fair, said Wednesday, April 18. “A lot of people the last couple of years have asked us if we would ever consider doing a concert again.”
The last time the fair included a concert was back in 2009 with American Idol finalist and country artist Josh Gracin appeared in Houlton. Other notable artists who have performed in Houlton include Survivor, Kentucky Headhunters, Jeff Bates, Jeff Dunham, Larry the Cable Guy, Black Hawk, Joe Diffie, Sawyer Brown, Gary Allen and Lorrie Morgan.
Cleary said the main reason the fair has shied away from offering concerts is because of rising costs and increased competition from Bangor Waterfront concerts.
“We really can’t compete with the acts they (Waterfront) have,” he said. “Plus, many of the (smaller) acts that would work for us have really increased in pricing. Classic rock acts have gone up like you would not believe. Many acts are now between $40,000-$100,000.”
Cleary said offering entertainment during the fair requires a great deal of time and effort, all while trying to break even financially.
Louisiana Pacific is one of the major sponsors for the concert, but Cleary said other sponsorship slots are available.
During his 40-year career, Anderson has produced 23 albums with more than 60 singles (20 reaching the Top 10), and a number of industry awards. His most recent release was the 2015 album “Goldmine.” Anderson was inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Oct. 5, 2014.
Anderson’s show will be a scaled down, acoustic set similar to the “MTV Unplugged” shows where artists only use acoustic guitars.
“He will be playing all of his hits, but it will also be more interactive, with storytelling of how songs came together,” Cleary said. “Where else can you come see a show for $10?”
The local country band “Ted Bither and the Boys” will open the concert.
Anderson’s show takes place Sunday, July 1, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and provide full access to all of the fair events going on that day. Midway rides come with a separate fee.
For more information on the fair, visit http://www.houltonfair.org/
