Pritchett headlines 160th Tillsonburg fair
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The annual Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair is almost here, and organizers are excited.
"We're bringing in a big, huge country singer," said fair president Michelle Babcock, "which is all new for us, to bring in such a big act."
Aaron Pritchett will be headlining Saturday night's entertainment, performing on August 16.
Make no mistake... this is a major deal for Tillsonburg, and the fair. And they need to get people into the arena on the 16th.
"The fair board had discussed it, and being Tillsonburg, being a country town, we thought we'd go with a country act," said Babcock. "Friends of one of the fair board members have some connections, and between them we looked at who we could get and at what price range. And we came up with Aaron Pritchett.
"I am a huge fan," she nodded. "So it was exciting when we decided which singer to bring in – I was very pleased it was Aaron. His most famous song, if you go around and ask people, is 'Hold My Beer While I Kiss Your Girlfriend.'"
Pritchett has just released a new single, Boat on the Water, a few weeks ago, said Babcock, and reviews have been positive. The song has been getting radio air time.
"It's a bonus for us," she smiled, "because that should help bring in more people. It's still fairly new, but looking at his YouTube hits, it's quite good."
Further down the road, if their budget allows it, Babcock would like to see a couple big names each year, offering both country and rock bands.
Doors open on the 16th at 7 p.m. Amy Churm, the opening act, begins at 8 p.m. and Pritchett will take the stage at 8:45 p.m.
"There will be roughly 500-700 seats on the (arena) floor, and the bleachers will be opened if we need to add more to it... and it would be awesome if it did."
Tickets are available online, said Babcock, with links provided on the TIllsonburg Fair's website tillsonburgfair.com. But response was slow, she admitted. They've done better person-to-person.
"We've been selling them in the mall, and I start selling them in Metro this week too. And I was selling them at Rib Fest – we sold the most tickets on the Friday night."
Babcock is going one step further. Contact her by phone (688-9559) to arrange pickup of the tickets. The fair office will be open until the week of the fair each night between 7-9 p.m. (519-842-5964).
"It's kind of funny because even some country fans will say, 'Aaron Pritchett, who's that?' Then when you tell them 'Hold My Beer...' they say, 'Ooooh I know who that is!' I think his new single, Boat on the Water will be a big help."