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Gwen Sebastian headlining full grandstand schedule at the fair

By Staff | Jul 19, 2010

Gwen Sebastian

Country western singer Gwen Sebastian will be headlining a full slate of entertainment at the grandstand at the Faribault County Fair.

Sebastian, of Nashville, is a North Dakota native. She grew up on a ranch in Hebron, N.D.

Sebastian was only four-years-old when she entered her first talent show. She has been singing ever since.

After high school she gave up a potential nursing career, and moved to Nashville to pursue her music full-time.

“You may not have heard of her yet,” Fair Board chairman Daryl Murray says, “but there could soon be a day when she becomes a star and you will remember you saw her at the Faribault County Fair.”

Contemporary country with spunk, is how Sebastian’s publicity release describes her music.

Her debut single, “Hard Rain,” was released to country radio stations in October 2009. It was No. 1 on the independent chart. Her second single was released with the title “V.I.P.”

She has been the opening act for Taylor Swift, Sugarland and Phil Vassar.

Sebastian is scheduled to perform on Friday night of the fair. Tickets are $10, with six and under free.

Opening for Sebastian are two local singers, Nikki Welder and Garrett Passer, both Blue Earth Area High School graduates.

They will perform at the grandstand at 7:30 p.m., before Sebastian’s slated start time of 8 p.m.

There will be a third musical presentation in the grandstand on Friday evening.

At 5 p.m. the drum corps Sheltered Reality will perform.

The group is made up of people from around the country, and they performed during and after the Giant Days Parade in Blue Earth last week.

The grandstand schedule starts with the opening ceremonies for the 150th Faribault County Fair on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

It is followed at 6:15 p.m. with a special 25th Anniversary Show of the Midwest Fjord Horse Club.

The horse theme continues for the evening with the Draft Horse Pulling Contest at 8 p.m.

“This is the second year for the draft horse contest at the fair,” Murray says. “We heard so many positive comments after their event last year, we decided to have them return for the 150th fair.”

On Wednesday, the grandstand will feature one of the most widely known Rock and Roll bands in the Midwest.

The Johnny Holm Band has been entertaining crowds for many years. Holm says he dedicates every show to the fans.

For this show, the fair board is constructing an area in front of the grandstand for people to sit or stand and enjoy the band.

The area will also include an outdoor beer garden.

Before the Johnny Holm Band starts performing at 8 p.m., the a capella group Home Free will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

This award winning group packed the BEA Performing Arts Center earlier this year as part of the Blue Earth Valley Concert Association concert series.

The five male vocalists in the group have performed at concerts around the Midwest, entertaining audiences with their distinctive combination of music and comedy.

Thursday, Supercross returns to Blue Earth for a 7 p.m. performance in the grandstand. “This has been a real hit at the fair,” Murray says. “We are pleased to be able to bring them back this year. The crowds have been enthusiastic watching these exciting stunts performed by the riders.”

The Supercross is presented by Motokazie of Jordan. Admission is $10.

On Saturday the Antique Tractor Pull will be held at 11 a.m. It is sponsored by the Faribault County Historical Society.

Admission is $3.

The evening event is the 45th Annual Faribault County Fair Demolition Derby, with a start time of 7:30 p.m. Cost to attend is $10.

The 22nd Annual Faribault County Fair Talent Contest is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Admission to this event is free.

Murray says a special bonus this year is having not one, but two fireworks displays at the 150th edition of the county fair.

“We will be having fireworks after the grandstand performance on both Wednesday night, during the Johnny Holm Band show, and on Saturday night, after the demolition derby.”