It’s the second half of the Alabama National Fair
Three amazing nights of music are ahead in Montgomery, and they’re free for everyone admitted during the second half of the Alabama National Fair.
Grab some corn dogs and funnel cakes, try out some rides and games, then walk over from the fairgrounds to Garrett Coliseum on Oct 9, 11 and 12 a little before 7 p.m. to get a seat.
There’s a night of Elvis’ classic music and nostalgia from The Memphis Show Band at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9, with Montgomery’s own Brad Bradley. The band formed here 20 years ago, and its musicians have more than 100 years of combined experience.
Then on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. is Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Anthony Hamilton, a defining voice in modern R&B and soul. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native grabbed the world with his platinum-selling 2003 album Comin’ from Where I’m From.
On Oct. 12 at 7 p.m., the fair will have a legendary American music icon perform for the grand finale of Hero Day — Lee Greenwood. Since 1980, he’s brought the world hits like “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” and his Grammy-winning “I.O.U.”
But one song stood apart from everything else — “God Bless the USA.” He wrote it on his tour bus after moving to Tennessee in 1983. MCA Records released it in 1984 as the 10th song on his album You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’.
“I always wanted and had this desire to write something that would pull all of us together, like we’re supposed to be under one flag,” told the Advertiser prior to a 2019 concert in Montgomery.
A Grammy Award winner and recipient of multiple Male Vocalist of the Year honors, Greenwood considers his life a true American story, full of hard work and opportunity.
“I think that was part of the reason I wanted to express that,” Greenwood said. “This is something I think I was ordained to do from the very beginning. I’m a Christian, and I believe God had a hand in this work of art. From the very moment I put ‘God Bless the USA’ on stage, it became apparent that the public agreed with me and what I was saying in the song.”
More about the fair
There’s a lot of fun happening beyond the concerts. The competitions this year include events from the Creative Living Center, School Art Show, Mounted Shooting, Flower Show and Robotics. Of course, the free shows are back, which include the Zerbini Family Circus, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, The Puppetone Rockers, and the return of Cowtown USA.
Here’s a look at what to expect on the final five days of this year’s Alabama National Fair:
October 9
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Senior Day. Free bingo at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
- 3 p.m. Gates open. $1 Dollar Day. $1 admission with non-perishable food item. $20 general admission without — ages 5 and under free.
- 3 p.m. Midway rides open. $1 per ride. $35 wristbands.
- 7 p.m. Originally formed in 2005 in Montgomery as an Elvis tribute band, Brad Bradley and the Memphis Show Band perform in the coliseum.
October 10
- 4 p.m. Gates open. Pet Food Friday — $10 Admission with cat or dog food donation. $20 general admission – ages 5 and under free.
- 5 p.m. Midway rides open. $40 wristbands.
October 11
- 9 a.m. Gates open. $20 admission – ages 5 and under free.
- 11 a.m. Midway rides open. $40 wristbands.
- 7 p.m. Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Anthony Hamilton in concert inside the coliseum.
October 12
- 11 a.m. Hometown Heroes Day — Gates open: $20 admission – ages 5 and under free.
- 1 p.m. Midway rides open. $40 wristbands.
- 1 to 3 p.m.: Sensory Friendly Time
- 6:15 p.m. Hometown Heroes Program
- 7 p.m. The legendary voice behind “God Bless the U.S.A.,” Lee Greenwood, in concert in coliseum.
October 13
- 9 a.m. Gates open. $10 admission — ages 5 and under free. School Day: Sponsored by Montgomery County DA: Azzie Oliver.
- 10 a.m. Midway rides open. $20 Wristbands
- Kids will have the opportunity to step into the Money Machine to try to grab Fair Bucks as they fly around.
See the full schedule online at alnationalfair.org.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at [email protected]. To support his work please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser
