If you are looking for live music and free entertainment, the Dodge County Fairgrounds promises a full evening of rock hits-after-hits on the grandstand stage on August 21. The free concert begins at 8:00 pm with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas with their chart-toppers: “Sara” and “We Built this City” to name a couple, after a brief intermission Blue Oyster Cult continues the free concert with their recognizable hits like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”, “Burnin’ For You” and “Godzilla”. Songs appeared on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Both bands join other popular artists performing on the grandstand stage that week, including: Nitty Gritty Dirtband (Thursday) and Jordan Davis (Friday). The Badger State Tractor Pull will also take place on Wednesday evening and two demolition derbies are scheduled to conclude the fair season on Sunday afternoon. The concerts and entertainment are free with your paid gate admission to the fair. Arrive early to secure your seat for this double-header. The entertainment will be held, rain or shine (unless there is severe weather).

While singing along to Mickey Thomas on Saturday, fans will recognize Mickey Thomas’ voice and Starship’s distinguishable music. Thomas launched the big hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” with The Elvin Bishop Band in the late 70’s. This launched his sound as he and his recognizable sound were later heard on the radio frequently throughout the 1980s and 90s.

Since 1979, each Starship album has reached Gold, Platinum, or Multi-Platinum status.

The band not only appeared on the radio. They were also heard on television, in movies and at major sporting events. The band received an Oscar Nomination for its hit “Nothing Gonna Stop us Now” from the popular eighties movie “Mannequin”.  The Major League Baseball used their song “It’s Not Over Till It’s Over” as the league’s theme during the summer of 1987. In 1989, “Wild Again” was also used in Tom Cruise’s film, “Cocktail”.

In Beaver Dam, Thomas will be performing five decades of hits along with the five-piece band, Starship. Current members include Jeff Adams (bass), John Roth (guitar), Phil Bennett (keyboards), Darrell Verdusco (drums) and Stephanie Calvert (vocals).

Visit the Dodge County Fairgrounds Facebook page for updated information on the 2021 Dodge County Fair, which is scheduled centrally in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin on August 18-22. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on event listings and other upcoming concerts.

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