Entertainment
San Bernardino County Fair announces Dirt and Concert Series lineup
Matt Stell speaks on ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On Green Carpet
Matt Stell speaks on ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On Green Carpet
Andrew Nelles, Nashville Tennessean
San Bernardino County Fair officials have announced the entertainment lineup for its High Point Concrete Dirt and Sunland Ford concert series when the fair returns to Victorville on Memorial Day weekend.
“Truckloads of Fun” is the theme of the 77th annual San Bernardino County Fair scheduled from 2 to 10 p.m. on May 25 to 27 and May 31 to June 2.
High Point Concrete Dirt Series
Dirt will fly, and engines will roar when the High Point Concrete Dirt Series kicks off the fair’s first weekend on May 25 with Monster Truck Mayhem.
The Demolition Derby on May 26 will include dozens of cars competing head-to-head to see who is the last vehicle standing.
Bull Riding on May 27 will include cowboys and cowgirls of all ages hanging on as they mutton bust and bull ride to the sound of cheering fans.
Grandstand tickets for the Dirt Series are $5 per person, per event.
Sunland Ford Concert Series
The Sunland Ford Concert Series will kick off on Saturday, June 1 with multi-platinum singer Matt Stell, whose musical stylings are described somewhere between country, Americana, blues, soul, folk, gospel and rock n’ roll.
“I dread answering the question ‘what kind of music do you play’ every time it’s asked,” Stell told NWest Iowa. “Every time someone asks me, I just end up telling them that we’re like 30 of my favorite bands and proceed to recommend songs and YouTube clips to them.”
Stell quickly made his mark on country music as one of only eight new artists in the past six years to have consecutive No. 1 hits with two back-to-back chart-toppers, “Prayed For You” and “Everywhere But On,” according to the Post Intelligencer.
Stell’s releases “Born Lonely,” “Breakin’ in Boots,” and “One Of Us ” follow his 2023 EP “One Of Us.” Amassing over half a billion on-demand streams, he is the first-ever recording artist to receive a virtual plaque from the RIAA for a multi-week breakout “Prayed For You,” and is an ASCAP Pop and Country most- performed song awards winner.
Stell has appeared on Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Bachelor in Paradise, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He has also performed the National Anthem for NASCAR and the NFL.
Playing his headlining “The Man Made Tour 2022” to capacity crowds, Stell supported Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and Chris Young. Steel has also been featured on the song “When You Know” with musicians Cheat Codes, “Over You is You” with Tenille Arts), and “Hometown Boys” with Dierks Bentley and HARDY.
Banda Machos
The concert series will continue on Sunday, June 2 with Latin Grammy-nominated Banda Machos, with their blend of banda, Quebradita and ranchera music
Banda Machos was formed in 1990 when 13 young men from Villa Corona, Mexico decided to form a musical group. Since then, they’ve produced over 20 albums, according to the band.
The band’s success came from the Quebradita wave, a style popularized in Los Angeles’ Latino circuit in the early 1990s.
Many describe Quebradita dancing as a couple performing a series of cheerleading-style flips, daring lifts, and synchronized legwork.
The band’s third album, “Sangre De Indio,” which had their hit “Al Gato Y Al Raton” made them radio staples during the 1990s.
In 1993, Banda Machos was awarded by Univisión’s Lo Nuestro for Revelation of the Year in the Mexican/Regional category, achieving a Furia Musical Award for Best Mexican Band.
The band’s song “Zappa Mambo” was featured in the 1995 film “My Family,” starring Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos, and Esai Morales.
After various band lineup changes over the years, the group currently features Agustin Mariscal, Alejandro Diaz, Arturo Avila, Brayan Magana, Efrain Lopez, Carlos Calatayud, Javier Vidal, Jose Pablo Aguayo, Julio Cesar Guerrero, Leo Bueno, Maurcio Bueno, Rosalio Palafox and Ruben De Landa.
Grandstand tickets for the Concert Series are $5 per person, per event. Floor seats are $20 per person.
Food, carnival rides and entertainment
Fair-goers can indulge in food options, such as cotton candy, hot dogs, deep-fried foods, jumbo turkey legs, burgers, desserts, and a variety of unique creations
Helm and Sons Amusement will return to the fair with a large selection of games and carnival rides, such as fun houses, adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, a slide, a carousel, kiddie rides, and the classic Ferris wheel.
Young and old will be entertained by strolling performers and returning acts like The Throw Zone, Flying Royals Trapeze Act, and Tadpole the Clown. New additions include The Dazzler, and Mango and Tango Stilt Walkers and their Flying Umbrella Ship.
Inside the fair’s community buildings, vendors will offer homemade products, food, clothing, home furnishings, spas, cooking ware, and more. There will also be exhibits, ranging from crafts and fine art to food and gardening.
Future Farmers of America will also showcase livestock animals and host the Junior Livestock Auction on June 1.
For tickets and more information, visit sbcfair.com or facebook.com/SanBernardinoCountyFair
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz