It may be the “Year of the Coliseum” at this year’s Indiana State Fair, but the Coliseum won’t be the only fair venue offering nationally known, chart-topping artists during its run Aug. 1–17. In fact, the Free Stage has a wide variety of performers every day of the fair beginning with critically acclaimed Beatles tribute band BritBeat on Aug. 1.

From rising country performer Dustin Lynch to Grammy-nominated Canadian rockers Barnaked Ladies, the Free Stage is full of accomplished acts.  The up-to-date rundown of concerts and events includes:

·         Aug. 1:   BritBeat (1 and 7 p.m.)
·         Aug. 2:   “Nashville” stars Charles Esten and Clare Bowen (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 3:   Hispanic/Latino Music Festival featuring Stacy Sandoval (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
·         Aug. 4:   Bridgit Mendler (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 5:   Dustin Lynch presented by HANK-FM and Royal Pin Leisure Centers (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 6:   Eric Paslay & Kelleigh Bannen (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 8:   Maggie Rose (6 p.m.); Brothers Osborne (7:30 p.m.); and Chase Rice (9 p.m.)
·         Aug. 9:   Dylan Scott (5 p.m.) and Dakota Bradley (6 p.m.)
·         Aug. 10:  Contemporary Christian Music Fest featuring Rend Collective Experiment (2 to 9 p.m.)
·         Aug. 11:  Barenaked Ladies (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 12:  “Happy Together Tour” with The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie;  Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night; Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad; Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels; and Gary Lewis & The Playboys (7 p.m.)
·         Aug. 13:  America and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 14:  The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 15:  Kansas (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 16:  Marc Broussard (7:30 p.m.)
·         Aug. 17:  Pepsi Gospel Music Fest featuring Dorinda Clark-Cole (4 to 9:30 p.m.)

All of these shows are free with paid admission to the fair. The Free Stage, a permanent stage in the northwest corner of the fairgrounds in the Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park, can accommodate about 5,000 fans. For more information, visit www.indianastatefair.com.