|  "Whether classic rock, blues, country or pop, the Illinois State 
			Fair has a show for everyone," said Amy Bliefnick, state fair 
			manager. The 2013 lineup includes country mega-stars Billy 
			Currington, The Band Perry, Toby Keith, Gary Allan and Thompson 
			Square; rock legends Styx, REO Speedwagon, Head East and Journey; 
			Grammy-winning blues guitarist John Mayer; and pop sensation Ke$ha.
			 Tickets for the Aug. 11 John Mayer and Aug. 14 Toby Keith 
			concerts already are available through Ticketmaster. Sales for the 
			rest of the Illinois State Fair lineup begin Saturday at 10 a.m.  This year, for the first time, the fair is offering a special "VIPit" 
			ticket that includes prime viewing locations close to the stage. 
			Holders will be escorted to this area 30 minutes prior to the 
			opening of all other gates. However, only 1,000 will be sold for 
			each show. 
			
			 "It’s a great value and will allow even the most die-hard fans to 
			enjoy all the attractions the fair has to offer before they go to 
			their concert," Bliefnick added. Ticketmaster offers online, phone and in-person sales. Tickets 
			can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or 
			at any Ticketmaster outlet. The Grandstand box office on the 
			fairgrounds will open on June 10 for walk-up sales.  
			[to top of second column] | 
 
			 Schedule of Grandstand entertainers: 
				
				Aug. 9, 8 p.m. -- 
				Billy Currington, Lauren Alaina
				Aug. 10, 8 p.m. – 
				REO, Styx, Head East
				Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m. 
				-- John Mayer, Phillip Phillips 
				Aug. 12, 7 p.m. -- 
				New Odyssey
				Aug. 13, 8 p.m. -- 
				The Band Perry, Randy Houser
				Aug. 14, 8 p.m. -- 
				Toby Keith, Kip Moore
				Aug. 16, 4:30 p.m. 
				-- Gary Allan, Thompson Square, The Farm, Frankie Ballard, 
				Brushfire
				Aug. 17, 8 p.m. -- 
				Ke$ha
				Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m. -- Journey For more information, including a downloadable
			order 
			form, visit the Illinois State Fair website at
			www.illinoisstatefair.info or call 217-782-1979. All adults and 
			children 3 years of age and older must have a ticket. All sales are 
			final. The fair does not provide refunds or exchanges on ticket 
			purchases. 
            [Text from
			Illinois State Fair 
			file received from the
			Illinois Office of 
			Communication and Information] 
            
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