ALLENTOWN, Pa. — There will be plenty to do at Allentown Fair, which kicks off its 172nd year on Wednesday, Aug. 28 — from its Agri-plex full of agricultural and related exhibits to its extensive carnival midway to its outdoor farm animal features.
But the fair’s main Grandstand stage is inarguably one of its biggest draws — offering top music, performances and other acts in the Lehigh Valley’s largest-capacity arena.
(It holds more people than Allentown’s PPL Center, with a capacity of 10,500 people seated and up to 14,000 with standing on the track area).
This year’s lineup is no exception, offering classic rock, country, a hit a cappella act and even the top ventriloquist/stand-up comedian.
But the fair undoubtedly lost its biggest grandstand draw this year.
The 1970s and ‘80s sister-duo Heart was a great catch for the fair — a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo who were groundbreaking as women leaders of a hard-rock band (and recently were reunited after a nearly eight-year break).
The show was canceled when singer Ann Wilson had to undergo treatment for cancer.
The replacement tapped Heart’s scheduled opening act — 1970s and ‘80s new wave rockers Cheap Trick, and added Blue Oyster Cultto the bill.
The show still is our choice for the top show at this year’s fair grandstand.
The fair will run through Labor Day Monday, Sept. 2. Tickets remain available for all headliners at the fair website.
Here’s how we rank the lineup.
1. Cheap Trick, with Blue Oyster Cult | Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Let's be honest: Neither band is near its peak. Cheap Trick is observing its 50th anniversary this year and sold more than 10 million albums in the United States alone. But it hasn't had a hit since 1988. It's been even longer (43 years) for Blue Oyster Cult. But both groups still have their original singers (though voices likely diminished) and guitarists. Together they have a ton of hits: Cheap Trick's “Surrender,” “I Want You to Want Me,” “Dream Police” and “Ain’t That a Shame”; and Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Burnin' for You." Throw in a healthy dose of nostalgia, and you have more than enough to please.
2. Pentatonix, with David Archuleta | Saturday, Aug. 31.
A cappella music isn't the novelty it was just a decade ago, when the "Pitch Perfect" movies were hot and Straight No Chaser had a hit with its cover of Toto's "Africa" and "12 Days of Christmas." But Pentatonix has withstood the popularity wane because it's among the genre's best, and it has released original songs. Its last show at the fair in 2018 not only sold out, but the crowd sat in the pouring rain and still was satisfied. An unexpected bonus should be Archuleta, whose rich-toned voice should easily have won "American Idol" in 2008 (he lost to David Cook). He had a good hit with "Crush" and has done well with Christmas-song tours.
3. Jeff Dunham | Sunday, Sept. 1
He's not everyone's cup of tea (who is?), but Dunham's popularity — especially at Allentown Fair — can't be questioned. He has sold more tickets than any other comedy artist in the fair's history. This will be his sixth headline show at the fair, and in 2009 played two headline shows the same year that sold a total 19,000 tickets — another fair record. He now has had 11 record-breaking TV comedy specials. So there are fans of characters Walter, Peanut, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Bubba J and Jose Jalapeno out there, and Dunham delivers with constantly fresh material.
4. Brad Paisley | Friday, Aug. 30
Country singer Paisley's also arguably no longer at the top, but he, too, has an audience. He has sold more than 10 million albums and won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards. His last hit was a decade ago, but he has enough recognizable songs to more than fill a concert and please his fans. Also an added bonus: Opening the show will be George Birge, whose song "Beer Beer, Truck Truck" went viral on social media in 2021, then who hit No. 1 with the song "Mind On You" in 2022.
5. Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour | Thursday, Aug. 29
A measure of the depth of this year's fair lineup is that Blippi is ranked No. 5. It's a children's show, which typically are dependable mid-draws for the fair (such as Fresh Beat Band in 2019). But Blippi is pretty big among the youngest fair-goers — a curious and colorful character who has taught preschoolers on YouTube, Netflix, HBO Max, and whose energetic and educational antics have made him a global sensation. It's going to get the attention of parents who want to give their kids something popular, but also educational and fun.
Honorable mention: J&J Demolition Derby | Monday, Sept. 2
The demolition derby is an annual tradition at the fair that draws a pretty reliable grandstand crowd. (Because it uses the track, seating is limited to the stands.) It's nothing new or different, but seeing cars smash into each other appeals to young and old, and is another entertainment offering you can count on.
