Monticello, Iowa: The Great Jones County Fair in July 2007

Iowa is full of small towns and most are close knit communities. However, in Monticello, Iowa, for almost a week out of each year in the summer, Monticello becomes a great destination spot for many. This is usually around the third week in July. Each year, the week is filled with headlining concerts, racing, carnival rides, and food at the Great Jones County Fair in Northeastern Iowa.

Tickets for the Great Jones County Fair are priced with discounts available for season passes. If you purchase season tickets in April or May, it costs $25 per person. If you purchase the season passes in June or July, the cost is $29 per person. Daily admission at the gate is $9 per person. Senior Citizens get $1 off their admission Wednesday through Friday when daily tickets are purchased at the gate. Military personnel also get one day free for the fair. Children 12 and under are FREE! Tuesday night is also known as "sneak peak" night, so no admission is charged at all.

The Great Jones County Fair is always packed with fans from all over. They always manage to get amazing concert headliners that will please almost everyone's music taste. In 2007, they have recently announced the well known musicians that will be performing. You will see an amazing fireworks display every night following each concert ends in the evening. I'm excited about this year as I am every year! The music starts on Thursday, July 19, 2007 and continues through Sunday, July 22, 2007.

July 19, 2007 - Country singer Jamie O'Neal will get the fans fired up for Trace Adkins at 8PM. This concert is sponsored by KHAK Radio and Physicians Clinic of Iowa. They expect this to be a record breaking crowd on a Thursday for the Great Jones County Fair. Tickets for the event are as follows: Track seats for $32, amphitheater seats for $20, and bleacher seats for $8.

July 20, 2007 - It's been awhile since Chicago has toured in this area of the country, but at 8:30PM on Friday, they'll be living it up with their fans in Monticello. Most people know a Chicago song or two, so thanks to the Cumulus partners from KDAT Radio and the Dale Lee Dist. In Cedar Rapids, you can have the opportunity to see them live and in person! Tickets for this event are as follows: Track seats for $25, amphitheater seats for $18, and bleacher seats for $8.

July 21, 2007 - This is the biggest night of the fair! Normally having the biggest names, they have once again outdone themselves. With Keith Anderson as the opening act, it's already sounding unbelievable starting at 8PM. Now are you ready for Saturday's headliner? Sugarland will take the stage after Keith to excite many fans. They have received so many award nominations and their career has really taken off at full speed. The sponsors for this concert are expecting it to be one of the biggest days in the history of the fair. This is thanks to KHAK Radio and Mediacom. Tickets for this event are as follows: Track seats for $32, amphitheater seats for $20, and bleacher seats for $8.

July 22, 2007 - To bring the fair to an end, this year, The Great Jones County Fair has something new up their sleeve. Normally ending with an "oldies" star, they decided to play it differently this year. Aimed at the kids they have a star studded concert that will have the kids begging to go to the fair. Have you heard of the movie High School Musical? Well, Corbin Bleu, himself, will be performing for his young fans to kick it off at 6PM. He's very well known for his Disney Channel movies, and now for his singing abilities. After Corbin is done with his awesome show, Drake Bell will step onto the stage for what I can just imagine as a screaming session from his young fans. Most people know Drake from the show Drake and Josh, but he's quite the performer/musician as well. Sponsors for this event are to be announced. Tickets for this event are as follows: Track seats for $15, amphitheater seats for $12, and bleacher seats for $8.

Besides the unbelievable music at the Great Jones County Fair, they have so many other activities. These include the Moto-X races on Tuesday, July 17 at 6:30PM (free), NTPA Tractor, Truck, and Semi Pull on Wednesday, July 18 at 7PM ($5.00), horse harness races on July 19 and 20 at 12:30PM (free), stock car races on Saturday, July 21 at 11AM ($5.00), and the demolition derby on July 22 at 11AM ($5.00). This will keep the excitement at its top between the concerts.

There is also some great free entertainment on the free stage, which hasn't been announced as of yet. There's literally something for everyone at the Great Jones County Fair. They have so many different exhibits to look at as well. It's packed with action and shouldn't be missed.

People are always looking for something to do in the summer months while the weather is so nice and children are off from school. Make plans to attend this year's Great Jones County Fair in Monticello, Iowa. The community is close and always welcomes guests to their town with open arms. Each year they outdo the last and they keep growing for all the fans that attend. Experience this HUGE small town county fair that has been around for more than 150 years. Bring your appetite and be ready for a lot of fun!