Patriotism fills Marshall-Putnam fairgrounds

Marshall-Putnam Fair

July 12-19

915 University Ave.

Henry, Illinois

HENRY, Ill. — The Marshall-Putnam Stars and Stripes A-Fair will feature daily patriotic themes and an “American Idol” favorite.

Scotty McCreery, country superstar, 2011 “American Idol” winner and Grand Ole Opry inductee, will perform July 16.

McCreery, then-17, made history in 2011 as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the platinum-certified “Clear as Day,” at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. He also was named American Country Music New Artist of the Year.

Since his 2011 breakthrough, he has sold more than 4 million albums and achieved five consecutive No. 1 hits: the platinum-certified “Damn Strait,” the gold-certified “You Time,” the gold-certified “In Between,” the platinum-certified “This is It” and the triple platinum-certified “Five More Minutes.”

He was awarded Pandora Billionaire status in 2021 in recognition of his music achieving more than 1 billion streams on Pandora.

Two central Illinois groups will provide the opening acts leading up to McCreery’s performance.

Cody Calkins, of Streator, will perform favorite country hits from Dierks Bentley, Luke Combs and Jason Aldean to Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and everything in between, including some original songs from his album, “Everything I Can’t Resist.”

Mapleton’s own Taylor Bruninga and the Bandits will play a catalog of original music, along with covers ranging from ‘90s and outlaw country to southern rock.

Daily Themes

“Salute to America Premier Sunday” kicks off the fair with a Country Fair Stampede 5K run, vendor show, food truck fest, harness racing and queen pageants on July 12.

“Land of the Brave Tuesday” salutes veterans by teaming up with CreatiVets, a nonprofit organization that offers relief and healing for those who sacrifice so much for our country.

The group’s mission is to empower wounded veterans to heal from service-related trauma through the arts and music. There will be a CreatiVets color run and kids’ water fights.

On July 15, the city of Henry presents “We the People Wednesday” with the kickoff dinner, cookie stacking and wine tasting with dueling pianos.

“Yankee Doodle Dandy Thursday” includes a senior citizens program, Family Fun Night and many other activities. The junior swine livestock show will also be held.

On tap for “Firecracker Friday” is bingo blitz, chalk drawing, Power Wheels derby, poultry show and demolition derby.

“Old Glory” is the theme for Saturday, July 18. Events includes a Taste of MP Fair cook-off, kiddie tractor pull, bag tournament, Down in the Barn activities, M-P-S show choir and Pro Pulling League tractor pulls with six classes featured. Sheep, beef, Heartland Pygmy goat points and western pleasure horse shows will also be held.

“Star Spangled Sunday” caps off the fair beginning with a church service and breakfast. Other events include a car show, Kids Sunday Funday, swine jackpot and rabbit shows, Redneck Olympics and M-P stock and antique tractor pull with Back Road Pullers.