Country music star to headline first-ever concert on eve of Mid-State Fair opening
The Mid-State Fair will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a special concert of the eve of opening day, welcoming country music star Chris Stapleton to the grandstand stage.
Stapleton, famous for hits like “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Starting Over,” will perform on Tuesday, July 14, the day before the fair’s opening, to help celebrate the event’s 80th anniversary.
The performance will mark the first time in fair history that fans will be allowed onto the fairgrounds for a concert ahead of opening day, a news release said.
Stapleton will be joined at the Chumash Grandstand Arena by supporting act Molly Tuttle, a two-year Grammy winner for Best Bluegrass Album.
“It is an honor and a privilege to host and present an artist of Chris Stapleton’s caliber,” said Mid-State Fair CEO Colleen Bojorquez said in the release. “Bringing world-class entertainment to our community is something in which we take great pride, and we remain committed to keeping ticket prices as affordable as possible so more fans can share in this incredible experience.”
Tickets for the pre-fair concert were set to go on sale on Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. and will be priced at $90, $110, $160, $210 and $260, the release said.
Anyone without a ticket to the concert can pay a $10 entry fee to listen to the performance from the fairgrounds, the release said.
Tickets will be available online only via MidStateFair.com.
This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
