Wisconsin State Fair officials have unveiled the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater lineup, serving up an 11-day stretch of family-friendly, nostalgia-heavy acts for the fair’s Aug. 6–16 run. Evenings at the amphitheater blend local favorites, tribute shows and kid-oriented performances, including everything from Sixteen Candles and Here Come the Mummies to Let’s Sing Taylor and longtime Wisconsin comic-musician Pat McCurdy. Because the amphitheater is a free stage inside the fairgrounds, it gives concertgoers a low-cost way to catch live music in between funnel cake runs and midway rides.
Schedule Highlights and Headliners
The Bank Five Nine Amphitheater will host nightly headliners throughout the fair, with Sixteen Candles (Aug. 6), Here Come the Mummies (Aug. 7–8), So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience with Claire Sardina (Aug. 9), Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (Aug. 10–11), Hairbangers Ball (Aug. 12), Too Hype Crew (Aug. 13), The Gufs (Aug. 14), Let’s Sing Taylor, billed as an unofficial Taylor tribute (Aug. 15), and Pat McCurdy (Aug. 16). The fair’s day-by-day schedule also layers in daytime performances and community competitions that keep the amphitheater busy from morning through evening, according to Wisconsin State Fair.
Free Shows, Cheap Admission, but Act Fast
All Bank Five Nine Amphitheater performances are included with State Fair admission, making it an easy stop during a day at the fair, as reported by FOX6 Milwaukee. Advance admission tickets are currently available at an early-bird price of $15 through Sunday, May 31; after that, ticket prices will change. Reserved Main Stage concerts still require separate paid tickets, and those marquee shows and on-sale details were announced earlier in the season, as OnMilwaukee reported.
Family Programming and Local Performers
By day, the amphitheater shifts into a family and community hub. Kids From Wisconsin will play multiple sets as part of their 58th season, which honors the nation’s 250th anniversary. According to Kids From Wisconsin, the troupe’s patriotic programming will run alongside community acts and competitions. The amphitheater schedule also features tributes to veterans and other community-focused segments that help fill the stage outside of the nightly headliners, per Wisconsin State Fair.
Plan Ahead
Whether you are angling for a throwback tribute after dark or a kid-friendly afternoon lineup, it pays to leave time to wander the free stages, grab some fair food and stake out a good seat. Keep an eye on the Wisconsin State Fair’s ticket and schedule pages for any last-minute tweaks as August draws closer.
