'The Frontmen' & 'Pop ROCKS' headline 2025 MHCF

CRESCO - Keeping with the tradition of “excellent” grandstand entertainment every night, the Mighty Howard County Fair (MHCF) will again look to “pack the house” in 2025!

From June 25 through June 29, MHCF President Tom Barnes has booked plenty of action, music and fun for the Grandstand!  The fair will open with some interesting dirt track racing for two days straight, and then shift into music, featuring rock and country/rock music on Friday and ‘hit-making’ country on Saturday.  They will then close the event on Sunday with some hard hitting Auto-Cross racing. 

“We’re very fortunate to get one of  The Frontmen’s tour dates,” commented Barnes, who is very excited to have the country trio attending the fair as a headliner.  “Between the three singers, they have over 30 country hits, so it’s really going to be an awesome show.”‘

Barnes was equally thrilled to have Pop ROCKS playing on Friday night.

“This group is kind of like Hairball, but you can expect even more from them!  They dress the part for each set, but you’ll also get some country rock with the rock of the past.  Over the years Pop ROCKS has been expanding and they go far beyond what Hairball brings to a stage.”

Barnes added that dirt track racing will again be two crazy nights with the Sprint Car Series, plus the Auto-Cross on Sunday, closing the fair, will also have plenty of excitement for grandstand action.

 

Special ‘Fun Card’ Rates

 As in the past, a special 2025 Fair Fun Card will be available for only $40 where you can attend all five grandstand events for that one “very low” price!  Otherwise prices vary from $5 to $25, depending on the show.  You can go to the MHCF website and at the top of the page is “Get Your Tickets Now!” –– just click on that and it will lead you to all events plus the fun card where you can make your purchase.

As for what’s going on: 

 • Wednesday, June 25 will be Stock Car Racing starting at 6:45 p.m. The night will feature the Renegades® High Roller Sprint Car Series where racers will come throughout the United States driving their Winged Sprint cars and Traditional Non-Winged Sprint cars.

It should be an outstanding night of racing with doors opening at 5:45 p.m. and Hot Laps taking place ahead of the races. Tickets will be $10 for children (age 9 to 13) and $15 for adults. 

• On Thursday, June 26 Dirt Track racing will continue with the “Blue Ribbon Classic” taking place featuring the Hoker Trucking Super Late Models East Series.  As a bonus, the Renegades High Roller Sprint Car Series will continue featuring the Winged and Traditional Non-Winged Sprint Cars battling it out.  

Cost of tickets will be $15 for children (9-13) to $25 for adults.  Pit passes will also likely be available at an added cost, but only the day of the races. 

• Friday, June 27, Cresco will have their “Party in the Pit” featuring Pop ROCKS with special guests “The Dweebs” opening up. 

The band, Pop ROCKS, is something special. Founded in 2006, they offer plenty of high energy and powerful vocals with rock and country music playing for everyone attending. The group consists of a rotation of lead singers who impersonate top performers from all genres and eras of music.  From Katy Perry to Joan Jett to Ozzy Osbourne to Shania Twain to Garth Brooks to Beyonce, this group can do it all!  During an average show, the audience will witness over 30 different costume changes!

The group has traveled around the world, performing in Europe, the Middle East, South America and more. 

~ Opening up will be “The Dweebs” family band featuring Michael Blue and his two sons and daughter. The foursome will be entertaining as they bring an interactive, unique and adaptable show to the stage.  

Doors will open at 7 p.m. on Friday with admission set at $20.

• Saturday, June 28 the “Party in the Pit” will continue with country music’s hottest group, “The Frontmen”, and special guests “Feudin’ Hillbillys” playing.  Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the show at 8 p.m. and tickets are set at $25. 

The Frontmen features the dynamic voices of 90’s country legends: Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar), Larry Stewart (of Restless Heart) and Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas).  

The threesome have collectively sold over 30 million records and had over 30 major hits between them. 

According to their website, the group has “a chemistry and brotherhood seldom matched” and have logged the travel miles to prove it, wowing audiences around the globe with their brand of highly successful intimate unplugged shows.

~ Opening up the night on Saturday will be Feudin’ Hillbillys, who have taken their unique sound all over the Midwest, opening up for the likes of Luke Bryan, Montgomery Gentry, Mark Chestnut, Tracy Lawrence, Diamond Rio, and other artists. 

Their style and professionalism are unmatched, playing a mixture of pop, classic rock, and 80’s funk.

• Sunday, June 29 the final day of MHCF will close the grandstand with Auto-Cross Racing, sporting some Rubbin’ and Racin’ around the dirt track.  There will be plenty of cars filling up the track where drivers compete against the clock on a closed, cone-defined course.  Just expect plenty of action as cars will vie for positioning and that top spot for each race. 

One of the more affordable events in the Grandstand, tickets for Auto-Cross will be just $5 for children (9-13) and $10 for adults.