While the carnival rides are running and food is being served up along Midway, the Southwest Washington Fair’s Saloon and Community stages will host a variety of musical acts for attendees to enjoy free with fair admission.
Johnny Roquemore will take to the Community Stage on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 3 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. He is part of the band Johnny Roquemore and the Apostles of Bluegrass but moved away from the other band members when he came from Georgia to Washington.
Attendees can expect folksy, bluegrass tunes delivered to them from someone who the Los Angeles Times described as, “A deranged backwoods Santa Claus … the new king of the road.”
Roquemore has recorded more than 30 solo albums, five with the Apostles. He has written more than 400 songs and has had songs in television shows and movies, including “Texas Chainsaw Massacre II.”
Sean Lewis, the Western Drifter, will take the Community Stage on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m. He’ll deliver some original songs, country favorites and even a little Elvis.
Uncle Doug Cooper will perform on the Saloon Stage at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13. He’ll perform a tribute to Neil Young and other artists that fall under the country folk, rock and Americana genres.
Uncle Doug Cooper has been playing guitar and performing for over 40 years. With experience playing six and 12-string guitar, four- and five-string bass guitar, harmonica and vocals.
Danny Vernon, an Elvis tribute performer will take to the Saloon Stage at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14. He’ll be performing music from all three decades of Elvis’ career.
Vernon has won many awards over the last 15 years, including being endorsed as a top 10 Elvis tribute artist in the world by Elvis Presley Enterprises in 2010. According to his website, his favorite achievement was being voted “Best Young Elvis” by Elvis’ own friends and stage entourage in Palm Springs, California.
Harmony Ridge, a three-person bluegrass band, will perform on the Saloon Stage at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Kynan Shane & Band will be playing classic rock on the Community Stage at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.
Dakota Robins, a country artist inspired by old school and indie country, will perform on the Saloon Stage at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.
Mason Gaul, a Lewis County local, will take to the Saloon Stage on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 7:30 p.m. He’ll be showcasing songs from his recent album “Mudflow,” which is inspired by the lives lost in the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Attendees can expect a mix of classic country and grunge rock when listening to Gaul perform.
The Two Town Tuners, a barbershop chorus, will perform on the Community Stage at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. The four-part chorus will chime out tunes from ages past, from gospel hymns to the Temptations. The singers perform regularly at senior residences and festivals.
The Monkees Tribute band will perform “Summer of Love” on the Saloon Stage at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16.
Luis Cano, a Mariachi singer, will perform on the Saloon Stage at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. Cano is based out of Seattle and sings classic Mariachi ballads and contemporary hits infused with a Mariachi twist.
Jazz Abbey, a Seattle-based jazz band, will perform on the Community Stage at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. Jazz Abbey will showcase a blend of jazz, fusion and funk. The band consists of a collective of horns and rhythm section.
The Rickety Rockers, also known as The Cowlitz River Band, will be playing on the Saloon Stage at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Ragdolls, a female Aerosmith Tribute band, will perform on the Saloon Stage at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. The Ragdolls members have many accolades among them. Ragdolls lead vocalist Susie Major started the band and has experience singing with bands like Queensryche, UFO, John Waite, Michael Schenker and The Tubes. She also sang the main song “Rainbow Eyes” for the movie Rocktober Blood.
The other members, Ali Handal, Masha McSorley, Tara Rae and Marisa Testa, have contributed their music to movies and TV shows and provided backup vocals for artists such as Neil Young, Paul Williams and actor Corey Feldman.
Melody West will present a gospel show on the Community Stage at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.
The bands PETRA and the Sidewalk Prophets will close out the Southwest Washington Fair’s week of musical talent on the Saloon Stage on Sunday the 18. PETRA will perform at 3 p.m. and Sidewalk Prophets will perform at 5 p.m. These performances are presented by KACS 90.5.
