Fair ticket sales dates announced

And ticket sales should be brisk, based on a 2009 Grandstand entertainment lineup that includes a blue-collar comedian, a popular rock band, the always-solid list of country and gospel acts and "the greatest show on dirt."

Monday, June 22 marks the first day when mail-in order forms and online ticket orders will be accepted. Online ticket orders will be processed through the fair's Web site at www.claycountyfair.com. Mail-in order forms can be printed off of the Web site also and sent into the fair office at P.O. Box 527 Spencer, Iowa 51301.

Additionally, over 400,000 souvenir fair brochures will be distributed through newspapers and businesses across the region. When brochures are received, the mail-in order forms provided on them may be mailed in immediately.

There are a series of important dates to keep in mind: All mail-in forms and online ticket orders received from June 22 to July 3 will be filled in random order. Orders received after July 3 will be processed in the order they are received.

Online ticket sales and mail-in order forms for Grandstand and Grand Ballroom shows and events will be available on Clay County Fair's Web site at www.claycountyfair.com on Monday, June 22. Only online ticket sales and mail-in order forms are accepted at this time.

Phone orders will begin July 13 and run until the day of the event. The phone orders may be placed to (712) 262-4740 extension 771.

The Grandstand Box Office will be open beginning July 20 and will be open through the end of the fair. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon; Sundays and Labor Day 1-4 p.m.

Here's a look at the 2009 entertainment lineup:

Bill Engvall with special guest Gary Brightwell

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12

Prices: Grandstand seating $27 and Annex seating $22

About the performer: Bill Engvall will kick off the first Grandstand show for the 2009 Clay County Fair. Best known for his role as a comedian on the "Blue Collar Comedy Tour", Engvall has been making audiences laugh for nearly two decades. His coined phrase, "Here's Your Sign", has garnered the comedian platinum status with the album Here's Your Sign reaching a number one position on the Billboard Comedy Charts and a musical collaboration with country star Travis Tritt. Since then, he has released a successful CD "Dorkfish" and DVD's "15º Off Cool" and "Here's Your Sign, Live."

Gaither Vocal Band featuring Bill Gaither, Michael English, David Phelps Wes Hampton and Mark Lowry

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13

Prices: Stage-front seating $35, Grandstand seating $30 and Annex seating $25

About the performer: Multi-Grammy winning southern gospel and contemporary Christian group, Gaither Vocal Band, will appear in front of the Grandstands at the Clay County Fair. For nearly 30 years the Gaither Vocal Band, led by famed singer/songwriter Bill Gaither, has traveled the country proclaiming the message and sharing their chart-topping songs. Most recently, the group has come off of a 2009 Grammy win and been dominating Billboard's Contemporary Christian Chart with their Gaither Vocal Band Reunion CD's Volumes one and two.

New Odyssey

When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14

Prices: This is a free Grandstand show

About the performer: The fair will welcome New Odyssey to the stage and offer a free show for all fairgoers. This multi-talented group of three performs on more than 30 musical instruments and has a dynamic arrangement of comedy, musical novelty, vocal acrobatics, special effects and lighting.

Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15

Prices: the $20 ticket will secure general admission

About the performer: Twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson will perform songs from their late father, Ricky Nelson, in front of the Grandstands at the Clay County Fair. The brothers are former lead singers of the group Nelson, whose pop/rock sound reached number one on the charts with their hit "Love and Affection". Ricky Nelson Remembered is a unique tribute to their late father's popular music including his hits "Travelin' Man", "Hello Mary Lou", "Poor Little Fool", "I'm Walking" and "Garden Party."

World of Outlaws racing

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16

Prices: Reserved Grandstand tickets $35, adults (16 and over); $15 for juniors (15 and under)

About the event: The Clay County Fair serves as one of the races on the sanctioned sprint car series tour with the "Greatest Show on Dirt." The World of Outlaws consists of custom fabricated sprint cars that feature large adjustable wings on the top and rear tires that transfer their power to the dirt tracks they race on.

The rain date for the World of Outlaws race will be Thursday, September 17. World of Outlaw tickets will be valid for use on Thursday if the race is postponed due to rain on Wednesday.

Arnold Motor Supply Summer Shootout Championship with an appearance by Kenny Wallace

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17

Prices: The $14 ticket secures general admission

About the event: The Arnold Motor Supply Summer Shootout Championship race will feature IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, 360 Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. A scheduled racing appearance will be made by NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace.

If the races are postponed due to World of Outlaws being moved back, the Arnold Motor Supply Summer Shootout Championship will be moved to Thursday, Sept. 24.

Heart

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18

Prices: Stage-front Standing $34, Grandstand seating $29 and Annex seating $24

About the performer: Classic rock band Heart, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, will be making an appearance at the Clay County Fair on Friday night. Heart first saw huge success on the music scene in the late 1970's with hits like "Crazy on You", "Barracuda" and "Magic Man". After a short sabbatical, Heart hit the charts again in 1985, but this time with a softer sound. The self-titled album, Heart, sold 5 million copies and garnered four top-10 hits, including "What about Love?", "Never", "These Dreams" and "Nothin' at All".

FreestyleMX.com Worldwide Tour

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19

Prices: The $14 ticket secures general admission

About the event: Founded in 1997, FreestyleMX.com serves as the largest international organizer and promoter of freestyle motocross. The show is known for its innovative techniques and state-of-the-art event technology. Riders scheduled to appear include Beau Bamburg, Niki Danielson, Jeff "Ox" Kargola and Matt Buyten.

Trace Adkins with special guest Heidi Newfield

When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20

Prices: Stage-front Standing $34, Grandstand seating $29 and Annex seating $24

About the performers: Trace Adkins, with special guest Heidi Newfield, will wrap up the 2009 fair on Sunday evening. Adkins first reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard charts in 1996 with his debut single "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing". In 2003, Adkins was recognized for his talent with an induction into the Grand Ole Opry. His most recent album, "American Man: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2," garnered him a 2009 Academy of Country Music Award for Single of the Year, "Your Gonna Miss This".

Joining Adkins is former Trick Pony lead singer Heidi Newfield. Newfield departed from the group Trick Pony in 2006 to pursue a solo career. Her first album, What Am I Waiting For, was released in early 2008. The lead single, "Johnny & June", attained Newfield high honors in February 2009 with five Academy of Country Music Award nominations.

The Clay County Fair's entertainment schedule also takes guests into the Grand Ballroom of the Clay County Regional Events Center:

Franc D'Ambrosio

When: 2:30 p.m and 6 p.m. shows Saturday, Sept. 19

Prices: $25 Premium reserved seats and $25 reserved seats

About the performer: Franc D'Ambrosio, most famous for the longest running portrayal of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom of the Opera, will be making a return appearance at the Clay County Fair with two shows in the Grand Ballroom. Early in his career, D'Ambrosio was cast to fill the role of Anthony Corleone in the movie The Godfather III after being discovered in a Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. Shortly after his role in the movie, D'Ambrosio was cast as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. He spent six years playing the part and brought in over 5 million people to the theater. Currently, he has been touring performing hits from his Broadway career and other popular songs.

The 2009 Clay County Fair will be held September 12 -- 20. For more information visit www.claycountyfair.com or call the office at (712) 262-4740.