Fair to start walk-up sales of concert tickets

SPRINGFIELD -- The box office at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield is opening for ticket sales to state fair concerts later this summer.

Fair officials say early ticket sales by mail order have been good. The walk-up box office sales start Saturday morning.

Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bo Bice will open the concerts on Aug. 14.

The first American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson, is slated to perform Aug. 15. Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler and James Otto will perform on Aug. 21. Pickler has released two albums since appearing on the fifth season of "American Idol."

The State Fair lineup also includes performances by Heart, The Bangles, Josh Turner, Jamey Johnson and Chuck Wicks.

The Illinois State Fair runs Aug. 14-23.