By Andi Anderson
The Illinois State Fair has named country music trailblazer Lainey Wilson as the first Grandstand act for 2026. She will take the Grandstand Stage on Saturday, August 15, 2026, delivering a high-energy show packed with radio hits and crowd favorites.
The performance anchors a strong entertainment slate as the fair returns to Springfield from August 13 through August 23, 2026.
Wilson’s momentum continues to accelerate. She will host the 2025 CMA Awards and leads the field with six nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album, Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year.
She is also set to headline Stagecoach Festival 2026, appears on the 2025 TIME100 Next list, and recently released the deluxe edition of her acclaimed album Whirlwind, adding five new tracks. Her current single, “Somewhere Over Laredo,” is already a top-10 song at country radio.
A prolific songwriter and performer, Wilson has earned eight No. 1 hits, including “4x4xU,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and the 2x-Platinum “Heart Like A Truck.” She has scored award-winning collaborations with Jelly Roll on “Save Me” and HARDY on “wait in the truck.” She recorded “Out of Oklahoma” for Twisters, has collaborated with icons such as Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton, and Post Malone, and will make her film acting debut in 2026 with Reminders of Him after earlier screen work on Yellowstone.
“ We couldn’t think of a more powerful way to kick off our 2026 Grandstand announcements than with Lainey Wilson,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. Fair leadership added that fans can expect a big-stage production and a celebratory atmosphere.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 8 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. Prices are Tier 3 – $88, Tier 2 – $93, Tier 1 – $113, Track – $128, and Blue Ribbon – $168. A $30 Pre-Show Party upgrade is available for all paid concerts.
Photo Credit: illinois-state-fair
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle