It took five years of waiting, but patience has paid off — The Beach Boys are coming to The Great Frederick Fair.
“I love the Beach Boys and their great music,” John Wagener, of New Market, said Friday. “They are one of my favorite bands ever. I won’t miss this.”
Their concert is set for Sept. 20, according to fair manager Becky Brashear, who said mail order ticket sales will begin April 22.
“It’s going to be a great way to close out the summer,” Brashear said late Friday afternoon. “We have been very fortunate to draw some of these legends who have been popular over the years.”
Friday’s announcement triggered excitement among local Beach Boys fans, including Greg and Jill Phillips, of Clover Hill. They hope to get tickets to the concert early.
“My husband grew up in Southern California. Surf music is his favorite,” Jill Phillips said.
Her excitement was shared by Jan Krauss, who plans to travel from Annapolis to attend the concert. Krauss, 71, also grew up in Southern California listening to The Beach Boys.
Her favorite song is “Kokomo,” written by John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, Mike Love and Terry Melcher. It was recorded by The Beach Boys in 1988.
“When I hear them I remember my younger days,” Krauss said. “I’m a Beach Boys fan.”
Like many fans, Krauss fell in love with hits including “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” “California Girls” and “Good Vibrations.”
The fair is hoping to draw fans to the concert, especially baby boomers, Brashear said.
Unique artists grace the grandstand each year, and adding the Beach Boys to the list was no easy task, said Jim Grimes, fair entertainment chairman. Grimes said he pursued the Beach Boys for about five years with no luck. That’s why he was excited to learn that they would be available to perform.
“I was very pleased we were able to sign them up,” Grimes said.
This year’s lineup of performances at the grandstand includes Justin Moore, Martina McBride and Tate Stevens, winner of “The X Factor.”
McBride, who is currently touring with George Strait on his Cowboy Rides Away Tour, takes the stage Sept. 14. Tickets are $52 for reserved track seating and $47 for reserved grandstand seating.
Stevens, who won the second season of “The X-Factor,” performs Sept. 15. Tickets for his show are $32 for reserved track seats and $27 for reserved grandstand seats.
Moore will be in concert on Sept. 21 at the GFF.
“Each year, we try to do something different,” Grimes said. “Something for older people. Something for younger people and something for country people.”
