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George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. wow more than 7,000 fair fans
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A CROWD PLEASER: George Jones, who performed at the Canfield Fair’s Grandstand, received a warm reception from the capacity crowd during his Sunday concert.
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MUSIC FANS: Wayne and Karen Walter of Niles were among the first to get into the Canfield Fair’s Grandstand to enjoy the country music concert featuring George Jones and Hank Williams Jr.
Canfield Fair
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Jones and Williams Jr. fans expected a classic, fun, rockin’ good time.
By ELISE FRANCO
Vindicator staff writer
CANFIELD — Two legendary performers of country music took the stage inside the Canfield Fair Grandstand to entertain fans, both old and new.
Hank Williams Jr. and George Jones performed Sunday night in front of a crowd of more than 7,000 fans who showed their support by donning T-shirts and cowboy hats.
Some fans were so excited to see their favorite country music stars, they took their seats inside the Grandstand more than an hour before the show began.
Karen and Wayne Walter of Niles said they arrived around 6:30 p.m. Karen Wayne said their daughter bought the ground-level tickets as a birthday gift for her father, Wayne.
“We’re just here enjoying the atmosphere,” she said. “I don’t usually run around in a red cowboy hat.”
Wayne Walter said the pair have been fans of both Jones and Williams Jr. for many years.
“They’re just so natural,” he said. “Especially Jones. I used to watch him on ‘Hee Haw’ all the time.”
Donna Zarlengo, of Struthers, said she and her friend Phyllis Morrell, of Boardman, have been fans of Jones for more nearly 50 years.
“We came to see our man George,” Zarlengo said. “He has been Phyllis’s love for maybe 50 years, and we’ve never seen him in concert so we’re excited.”
The pair sat in the front row almost directly in the middle of the stage.
“It’s just wonderful to be in the front row,” Zarlengo said. “We’re expecting beautiful songs.”
Zarlengo said she feels at home with everyone else in the audience.
“I like the music,” she said. “But I also like the camaraderie of all the people here because we’re on the same base.”
George Roman, fair board member, said by mid-day Sunday about 7,000 tickets had been sold, and he expected more people to purchase seats right before the event. He said the Grandstand holds about 8,200 people.
“We’re pretty pleased with how ticket sales went,” Roman said. “We’re all excited. Everyone is anxious to see the show ... and hear the old classics.”
Roman said the fair board brought in Williams Jr. and Jones because of the variety their country music gives.
“You’ve got the classic country with George and the other end of it with Hank,” he said. “It’s for two different groups, so we thought it would be a good draw, especially because they’re not always seen together.”
Tickets to the show were $36 and $48.
Some of the biggest names in show business have taken the Grandstand stage in the past, including Bob Hope, Bill Cosby, the Beach Boys, Dolly Parton and last year’s entertainer Lynyrd Skynyrd.
One couple excited to see the singers on the same stage were Ashley and Shelton Miller, of Findlay. The pair said they love Williams Jr. and Jones as much as any other fan in the Grandstand.
“I don’t really like the new country,” Miller, 23, said. “These two stay true to their work.”
He said he’s seen them each in concert once before, but never on the same stage on the same night. Both Millers said they were expecting fun music and an all-around good time.
“I’m excited, especially because they’ll be playing together,” Miller said.
efranco@vindy.com
Gates open at 8 a.m.
Guided senior-citizen shuttles available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Today
K105 Day At The Fair.
Grandstand attractions:
k8 to 11 a.m.: Draft Horse Pig Iron Derby.
kNoon: Harness racing.
Free daily happenings:
k9 a.m.: 4-H saddle-horse show, North Ring.
k9:30 a.m.: Rooster-crowing contest, South Ring.
Judging schedule:
k9 a.m.: Invitational dairy judging: 4-H, South Cattle Arena.
k10 a.m.: Junior Fair goat costume class, Coliseum Eight; Pocket Pets: 4-H showmanship, Coliseum Eight.
k10:30 a.m.: Junior Fair llama exhibition, Coliseum Eight.
k11 a.m.: Adult dairy showmanship, South Cattle Arena.
k1 p.m.: Pony exhibitors show, South Ring; Market livestock Showman of Showmen, Coliseum Eight.
k5 p.m.: Dog demonstrations, Coliseum Eight.