Hardy coming home to headline Fair
Philadelphia’s own Country Music Award-nominated singer-songwriter Hardy is headed home to headline this year’s Neshoba County Fair and just about everyone expects his performance to be a highlight of this year’s gathering.
“They’re in love with Hardy, and they’ve been looking forward to watching him play,” said Jacob Williams of Cabin 215 about his children’s excitement over this year’s Fair that starts Friday and runs through July 30.
Michael Hardy, or Hardy, as he is known professionally, is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Grandstand.
Hardy, a Philadelphia native, now lives in Nashville where he has written songs for such artists as Florida Georgia Line and others before launching a solo career that landed him three Country Music Award nominations earlier this year.
Hardy's CMA nominations included Songwriter of the Year, New Male Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year in association with his song “One Beer,” featuring Lauren Alaina and Kevin Dawson.
Hardy is the son of Mike and Sarah Hardy, formerly of Philadelphia and now of Nashville.
Other music highlights of this year’s Fair include a performance by country music powerhouse Trace Adkins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jordan Davis at 8 p.m. Thursday and Riley Green at 8 p.m. Friday all at the Grandstand.
Friday’s Fair events include live music by local musicians on Founders Square from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the Harper & Morgan PRCA Rodeo at 7:30 p.m. at the Grandstand. Southbound will perform dance music on Founders Square from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Saturday will begin with the Heart O’ Dixie Triathlon which starts at 6:30 a.m. at Lake Tiak O’Khata in Louisville and will end with an awards presentation at the Grandstand starting at approximately 11 a.m.
An arts and crafts flea market will take place on Founders Square from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and a Neshoba County Fair Farmers Market with homegrown vegetables and produce for sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Livestock Show Arena.
The Harper & Morgan PRCA Rodeo will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Grandstand before Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster band closes the night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Grandstand.
Other highlights of this week’s Fair include the Antique Car Show starting at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on Founders Square; the Miss Neshoba County Fair Pageant at 8 p.m. Monday at the Grandstand; Midway rides throughout the week and more.
The Veteran’s Memorial Service is on schedule beginning at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday on Founders Square. Brig. Gen. Clint E. Walker, land forces component commander Mississippi Army National Guard, will be the special guest speaker.
Hometown Proud will follow the Veteran’s service beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday on Founders Square.
The beloved A. J. Yates Jr. Memorial Late Night Sing will be Wednesday night
(1 a.m. Thursday).
The final Friday of the Fair will include music by The Vernon Brothers at 12:30 p.m. at the Grandstand, and weather permitting, following the Riley Green show, fireworks show by Big Pop Fireworks.
Mitchell Bros. & Sons Amusements will be open on the Midway Friday at 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. and each day after from noon to 1 a.m.
The Exhibit Hall will be open daily from 8 am. to 10 p.m.
Season tickets for those ages 10 and older are $50, day tickets are $20 and children 9-years-old and younger will be admitted for free.
For more information about the Fair, go to neshobacountyfair.org.