The Nitty Gritty Dirtband will step foot on stage — right here in Beaver Dam on August 19th. Arrive early and secure your spot as space in the grandstands is not reservable. At 8pm, the group will kick-off hits from their career that spans five decades. Beaver Dam is the band’s fourth stop on their 50th anniversary tour. This will be the band’s first time entertaining you with their familiar country, folk and bluegrass sounds at the Dodge County Fair.

Fans will stomp and sway along to familiar hits, like “Fishin’ in the Dark”, “Mr. Bonjangles” and “Modern Day Romance”. The band secured sixteen Top 10 country hits in the early 1980’s and 1990’s and a remarkable three Number 1 singles. In 2004 the band received a Grammy award for Best Country Instrumental.

Early on in the group’s career, they appeared on the Johnny Carson Show, opened-up for Bill Cosby on stage and spent four months filming “Paint Your Wagon” with Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin. Early iterations of the group toured with Johnny Cash, John Denver and Ricky Skaggs.

The band and its members have transformed several times over the past five decades. But the current members are arranging the same hits, energy and entertainment for this concert. Current band members include: Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, Jim Photoglo and its news members, Jamie Hanna and Ross Holmes. Holmes has toured with Mumford & Sons and Bruce Hornsby. Hanna worked with The Mavericks and Gary Allen before joining the Dirt Band.

Before attending the concert on Thursday, make sure to get the most of our admission to the Fair. Chainsaw carving demonstrations, judging and family-friendly entertainment is scheduled throughout the fairgrounds all day long. Thursday is also kids wristband day on the midway from 1-5pm. Children may enjoy as many rides as they want for only $20.

The Thursday evening concert is part of the free evening entertainment lineup at the 2021 Dodge County Fair. All attendees need to purchase is their paid gate admission to the fair. Advance tickets and season passes are available. Daily admission may also be purchased at the gate. Additional free evening entertainment includes the Badger State Tractor Pull (Wednesday), Jordan Davis (Friday), both Blue Oyster Cult and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas (Saturday), and two demolition derbies (Sunday at 1pm and 6pm) .

Visit our Facebook page for up-to-date event listings and subscribe to our free newsletter, which includes a listing of free entertainment, live music, competitions and fair updates. The Dodge County Fair is scheduled on August 18-22 with a variety of entertainment for the whole family, live music, fair food, youth education and midway rides.

Article by Jamie Adcock author of runningdivamom.com and sunprairiemom.com