INDIANAPOLIS (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Indiana State Fair and Indianapolis-based Dave Lucas Entertainment Group are teaming up to keep the country's top musical talent coming to the fair each August, and help bring additional entertainment opportunities to the Indiana State Fairgrounds' Pepsi Coliseum at other times throughout the year.
Since its debut in 2005, Dave Lucas Entertainment Group and its promotion company, Live-360, has quickly established itself as a visionary company with a lot of industry clout. Its founder, Dave Lucas, is an Indianapolis native with nearly four decades of experience. His former company, Sunshine Promotions, built Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Ind., in 1989, and he later helped lead Clear Channel Entertainment's music division to one of its most profitable periods in company history.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to expand our impact on the Indianapolis music scene throughout the year, and Dave Lucas Entertainment Group is the organization that can help us do that," State Fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye said.
Lucas has previously promoted shows in the Pepsi Coliseum and at the fairgrounds' Farm Bureau Insurance Celebration Park Stage, so he knows what the state fairgrounds has to offer as a concert venue.
"We're excited to be part of the future at the State Fairgrounds," Lucas said. "Having grown up in Indianapolis, I have a deep appreciation for the entertainers who have performed at the fairgrounds over the years, and look forward to working with the fairgrounds to add to its incredible tradition."
The State Fairgrounds will still promote the shows at the fair while Dave Lucas Entertainment Group will book the shows and consult in the areas of marketing, publicity and production. They recently completed negotiations for a new agreement between the state fairgrounds and Ticketmaster.
Concerts already scheduled for the 2007 Indiana State Fair include: Casting Crowns/Jeremy Camp (Aug. 9); Rascal Flatts with special guest Jason Aldean (Aug. 10); Kenny Rogers/The Oak Ridge Boys (Aug. 14); and American Idols Live Tour 2007 (Aug. 16). Dave Lucas Entertainment Group and the fairgrounds may add even more shows to that line-up in the weeks to come.
"The State Fair will always be about youth and agriculture, but entertainment is also an important part of providing visitors with lasting memories," Hoye said. "We will continue to look at bringing in quality performers to give our patrons the best experiences possible."
This year's fair runs August 8 – 19. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
