A diverse entertainment lineup is coming to the 2017 South Florida Fair, including bands to tie into the fair’s New Orleans theme. Eight national bands ranging from Christian rock and country to Cajun and good time rock ’n’ roll will perform, along with more than 150 local and regional bands, dance groups, school choirs and jazz bands on four stages.
Jordan Feliz will kick off the national entertainment schedule at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15. Starting his career as a hard-touring heavy metal singer, he switched gears to become a church worship leader, before signing a Nashville record deal writing songs as an R&B groove-pop artist.
Sidewalk Prophets also will perform on Sunday, Jan. 15. This gospel-focused group is known for creating a type of sanctuary for their listeners with singles like “Live Like That” and “You Love Me Anyway.”
At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, Dr. John & The Nite Trippers will perform. Dr. John is a six-time Grammy Award-winning musician. Known throughout the world as the embodiment of New Orleans music, he is an international cultural icon. During the 1960s, he performed on albums by Sonny and Cher, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones.
Starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan 18, Neal McCoy takes the stage. He has released 15 studio albums and 34 singles to country radio. In 1993, he emerged with back-to-back number 1 singles “No Doubt About It” and “Wink.”
On Thursday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m., following the first of two Bike Night parades, Molly Hatchet will entertain guests. Their music, a mixture of blues, country, gospel and the English invasion of rock ’n’ roll, was to be coined “Southern Rock.”
At 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will bring the unmistakable sound of the Crescent City, performing its vibrant and irresistible style of New Orleans jazz. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate this unique art form. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or for British royalty, their music embodies a timeless spirit. Ben Jaffe, current director and son of the founders, continues this legacy.
On Tues., Jan. 24, at 8 p.m., Reel Big Fish will take the stage. As one of the legions of Southern California ska-punk bands to edge into the mainstream in the mid-1990s, they were distinguished by their hyperkinetic stage shows, juvenile humor and metallic shards of ska. Their underground following broke into mainstream in 1997 when their single “Sell Out” became a modern rock radio and MTV favorite.
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m., Chase Bryant, a 23-year old Texan, will entertain fans with his top flight guitar playing and head-turning song writing. As a Red Bow recording artist and co-producer of his debut album, Bryant views his audience as a lifelong relationship and music is the connection.
The main stage lineup will conclude with the fair’s second Bike Night at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, with 38 Special. After more than three decades together, this band continues to bring their signature blast of Southern Rock to more than 100 cities a year. Their many gold and platinum awards stand in testament to the endurance of a legendary powerhouse. Some of the songs most associated with them are “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ into the Night” and “Second Chance.”
General concert seating is free with a fair admission ticket. Reserved seating is also available for purchase online at www.southfloridafair.com for $10 for all concerts, which is in addition to the fair admission ticket.
The fair runs Jan. 13-29. Tickets are available at Palm Beach County Publix supermarkets and online advance discount ticket sales will continue through Jan. 12 at midnight. Bud’s Chicken & Seafood and Palm Beach County BB&T Bank branches also will sell advance discount tickets beginning Dec. 2. Adult admission, 12 and older, is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. A child’s admission, under 12, is $5 in advance and $8 at the gate, with 5 years and younger admitted free. Those who are 60 years of age and older pay $7 in advance and $9 at the gate. For more info., call (561) 793-0333 or visit www.southfloridafair.com.
