Received a slightly confusing email this morning from the Homegrown Festival folks announcing an Old 97's "county fair" taking place in April at Main Street Garden. For a second there, thought this was Homegrown -- the seventh, by my math. Made sense: That annual wingding's usually in May, after all. Moving it up a month seemed perfectly reasonable.
But, no. Homegrown's still on the calendar: May 14, with a dozen "acts with ties to the state of Texas" still awaiting their formal bow in coming weeks. (Headliners aren't usually announced till February, so patience, patience.)
This 97's thing -- complete with a Ferris wheel -- is a completely separate event. Which means you get two outdoor downtown concerts in the span of a few weeks come springtime. A win-win. And this 97's county fair will be the first but not the last: The release that went out this morning refers to it as the "inaugural."
As you can see, the line-up's top-notch and includes the Drive-by Truckers, Lucero, Deer Tick, Justin Townes Earle, Nikki Lane, Brent Best (on and off of Slobberbone) and Madison King. An all-day, all-night, drink-responsibly affair. With rides. Midway games. And a Ferris wheel.
Says the release, "Old 97's County Fair is poised to become one of the marquee outdoor events in Dallas." I can live with that.
Tickets are $35, with VIP admission a round $100. They'll be available here. At some point.
