Jerry F. Costello, II Director | Illinois Department Of Agriculture
Jerry F. Costello, II Director | Illinois Department Of Agriculture
Country music artist Lainey Wilson has been announced as the first Grandstand performer for the 2026 Illinois State Fair. The event is scheduled for August 15, 2026, in Springfield.
Wilson is recognized for her achievements in country music and will be hosting the 2025 CMA Awards, where she has received six nominations. These include Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. She is also set to headline Stagecoach Festival 2026 and was recently named on the TIME100 Next list for 2025. Her latest album release includes five new tracks and features her current single “Somewhere Over Laredo,” which is currently among the top ten at country radio.
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II said, “We couldn’t think of a more powerful way to kick off our 2026 Grandstand announcements than with Lainey Wilson. She’s a trailblazer in country music, and her show will be an unforgettable experience for our fairgoers.”
Wilson’s career includes eight number one songs such as “4x4xU,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and “Heart Like A Truck.” She has collaborated with artists including Jelly Roll on “Save Me” and HARDY on “wait in the truck.” In addition to her musical collaborations with Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton, and Post Malone, Wilson wrote and recorded “Out of Oklahoma” for the Twisters movie. She will make her film acting debut in 2026’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him after previously appearing in "Yellowstone." Wilson is currently touring Europe and North America on her sold-out Whirlwind World Tour. She has also launched clothing lines with Wrangler as well as her own boot and jewelry collections.
Rebecca Clark, Illinois State Fair Manager, stated: “Every year, we strive to bring the best in entertainment to the Illinois State Fair, and Lainey Wilson represents exactly that. We know fans are going to be thrilled to see her take the Grandstand stage this August.”
Tickets go on sale November 8 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $88 for Tier 3 seats to $168 for Blue Ribbon seats. There is an optional $30 Pre-Show Party ticket available as an upgrade.
The Illinois State Fair will take place from August 13 through August 23, 2026.
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