Travis Tritt headlines Champaign County Fair

Champaign County Fair

July 18-26

1302 N. Coler Ave.

Urbana, Illinois

URBANA, Ill. — The historic Champaign County Fair will once again be chock-full of fun and include daily grandstand entertainment of the four-legged and horsepower varieties, as well as a country music star.

Country singer-songwriter and actor Travis Tritt will hit the grandstand stage July 25, with opener Tyler Braden.

Tritt signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999.

In the 2000s, he released three studio albums on Columbia Records and one for the now-defunct Category 5 Records.

Seven of his albums, counting “Greatest Hits: From the Beginning,” are certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America. The highest-certified is 1991’s “It’s All About to Change,” which is certified triple-platinum.

Tritt has also charted more than 40 times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including five No. 1s — “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “Can I Trust You with My Heart,” “Foolish Pride” and “Best Intentions” — and 15 additional Top 10 singles.

He’s earned multiple Grammy, TNN/Music City New Country and Country Music Association awards along with numerous nominations. He’s been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992.

Tritt’s first acting role was alongside fellow country singer Kenny Rogers in the 1993 made-for-television movie, “Rio Diablo.” His second appearance was as a bull rider in “The Cowboy Way,” starring Woody Harrelson, Kiefer Sutherland and Dylan McDermott. Numerous other roles followed.

Braden signed his career’s first music label deal with the record company Warner Music Nashville, launching him into the industry in May 2020 with the cover of the American rock band Need to Breathe’s song, “Brother,” followed by his first original song, “Secrets,” being released.

Braden shared his music video of “Secrets” on his YouTube channel titled after himself and now has over 4 million views.

Other Highlights

The popular grandstand events open with a pro rodeo on Friday, July 18, beginning at 7 p.m. A demolition derby is on tap for 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19.

The draft horses come in on Sunday, July 20. The draft horse pulls begin at noon and the draft horse show kicks off at 4 p.m.

There will be harness racing beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 22. On Wednesday, July 23, monster trucks will be featured, followed on Thursday with motocross.

Grandstand festivities conclude Saturday, July 26, with tractor pulls sanctioned by the Illiana Pullers Association and Illinois Tractor Pulling Association.

Each day will be filled with numerous activities for all ages with 4-H open and junior open and non-livestock shows, educational displays revolving around conservation and agriculture, various vendors from businesses and organizations across the county, a carnival and a variety of entertainment.

Further details of the fair’s events can be found at champaigncountyfair.cc.