Stars to shine for fair concerts

CANFIELD -- Inside the grandstands, the 2001 Canfield Fair will feature nationally known country and rock acts Brooks & amp; Dunn, Brad Paisley, Styx and REO Speedwagon.
Outside, the focus will be hometown talent as TV and radio stations connect with their audiences.
The grandstand shows will begin with Paisley at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The neo-traditional singer-songwriter from Glen Dale, W.Va., received three nominations for Academy of Country Music awards earlier this year -- one for Top Male Vocalist, another for Album of the Year (for his "Who Needs Pictures") and the last for Song of the Year ("We Danced.") Paisley was named ACM's New Male Vocalist a year earlier.
Paisley has since released a new album, "Part II."
Brooks & amp; Dunn will make their fourth headlining appearance at the fair at 8 p.m. Sept. 3. The popular duo recently finished its "Neon Circus & amp; Wild West Show" tour, in which street performers augmented a carnival-like atmosphere.
The Styx-REO Speedwagon pairing was one of the top money-grossing concert tours of 2000. This year, Styx has toured with Bad Company, and REO has also been criss-crossing the country. Styx and REO will play at 8 p.m. Sunday.
A demolition derby, harness racing and truck and tractor pulls will round out the grandstand schedule.
Radio and TV events: It'll be a soap-free fair for WFMJ Channel 21, which isn't bringing any daytime drama stars to its tent this year. WFMJ news anchors and reporters will take turns greeting visitors at the company's tent.
WFMJ will be a sponsor of Youth Day activities Thursday. Kids will find activities and entertainment on the main stage and in the WFMJ tent, where free book covers will be available. Find out what it's like to be a weather forecaster at the Weather Wall inside the WKBN Channel 27 First News-Fox 17/62 tent. Everyone who steps in front of the blue wall will have their efforts recorded on a souvenir videotape.
WKBN and Fox 17/62 Days will be Wednesday and Saturday. Highlights on Wednesday will be a puppet show from noon to 1 p.m. on the stage near the Big Rock; "Name That Song," a TV theme song contest from 1 to 2 p.m. with hosts Rich Morgan and Lee B. Jolly of WKBN's morning news program; and a performance by local band Ever After from 3 to 5 p.m.
Fox 17/62 Kids Club's Yo-Yo Show will be at noon, 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday. Young singers Ashley & amp; Molly will perform from 3 to 3:30 p.m., and The Great Pretenders will sing oldies hits at 8 p.m.
Radio stations WMXY-FM 98.9 and WKBN-AM 570, along with Isaly's Ham, will sponsor a "Ham It Up" amateur karaoke contest from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Shooting Star stage. Next Sunday will be WHOT Day at the fair. The FM radio station will present local rock band Link from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Link's members have reunited after years of successful recordings and tours in the 1980s.