Ford County Fair Concert Announcement

MELVIN, IL (FEBRUARY 10): 2026 celebrates a monumental milestone—the 100th anniversary of the Ford County Fair in Melvin, Illinois! For a century, the fair has brought vibrant agriculture, thrilling livestock shows, electrifying entertainment, and countless unforgettable moments to Melvin and the surrounding communities.

To honor this incredible centennial, the Ford County Fairboard has gone above and beyond to plan the most spectacular fair yet! Get ready for the beloved queen pageant, the always-popular Antique Tractor Show & Tractor Pulls, a heart-pounding demo derby, and—back by popular demand—not one, but two epic nights of main stage concerts! And of course, it wouldn’t be the Ford County Fair without the dazzling carnival, mouthwatering food, and a bustling marketplace of vendors. The excitement kicks off on Saturday, June 13, with the first of two show-stopping main stage concerts, headlined by none other than country music superstar Clay Walker! Bursting onto the scene in his early twenties, Walker has since become a chart-topping sensation with over 30 singles and 11 No. 1 hits. Get ready to sing along to his unforgettable classics like “Live Until I Die,” “Dreaming With My Eyes Open,” “This Woman and This Man,” “Hypnotize the Moon,” “Rumor Has It,” “Then What,” “I Can’t Sleep,” and “She Won’t Be Lonely Long.”

Setting the stage for an unforgettable night, the incredible Walker Montgomery opens the show! Hailed as an Artist to Watch by Country Now, Music Mayhem Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, and The Boot, Montgomery is blazing his own trail in country music while honoring a legendary family legacy. At just 21 years old, he’s the son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Eddie Montgomery from Montgomery Gentry—country music royalty runs in his veins!

The party continues on June 19, when Resurrection—the ultimate Journey Tribute band—takes over the main stage! Since 2014, Resurrection has set the gold standard for Journey tributes, building a devoted Facebook fan base of over 52,000 and performing in nearly 40 states nationwide. Their high-energy performances have wowed crowds everywhere, including a massive show for 40,000 Chicago White Sox fans at US Cellular Field. Get ready to relive the greatest hits of Journey in an electrifying concert experience!

Concert tickets for both nights will go on sale Friday, February 13, 2026, at 8AM. Tickets will be available at www.fordcountyfair.org!