DELAWARE STATE FAIR ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP AND EMBRACES ONLINE TECHNOLOGY; Online Ticket Sales to Begin May 2, 2005

HARRINGTON, DE - April 7, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Available for announcement, print, etc. Please forward to all "sister" stations. Available for posting to all concert calendars (internet et. al.).

"The Wilmington Trust Grandstand will feature something for everyone," says the Delaware State Fair's public relations and marketing director, Tricia Southard. According to Southard, the entertainment lineup for the 86th annual Fair is "a little bit country, a little bit rock n' roll"…and everything in-between. The theme for the 2005 Fair is "A Taste of America", and this year's lineup is sure to offer something to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

Each year, the Fair works to locate a variety of entertainment with the goal of providing fair and easy access to tickets. This year, they’re hoping to achieve this goal by offering tickets online, in a first-come, first-serve fashion. According to Southard, when purchasing tickets online, customers will be able to see the very best seats available at the time of their purchase. After submitting an order, an immediate confirmation will be sent via E-mail, if the payment is approved. Actual tickets are then sent to the purchaser, via Email(s), in portable document file (.pdf) format—a format easily printed at home. Southard stated, “We're encouraging ticket sales online as the best way to ensure obtaining tickets to your favorite show." This Click & Print technology, according to Southard, will be available for discounted advanced gate admission and discounted carnival ride tickets as well. When asked, Southard indicated ticket sales via the mail, phone, and walk-ups would be available beginning in the weeks after online sales begin; however, she stressed the best access is via the Internet. "We've found most people have access to a computer and the Internet either at home, at work, or at their local public library. By purchasing tickets online, we're able to provide instant feedback as to the section seats available and whether or not our customers’ purchases were accepted. We feel we’re providing added customer service elements we've not been able to provide up until now." Southard also chuckled and added she hoped this process would help dispel myths of how to get tickets and keep the lines at the local Harrington Post Office at a minimum.

According to the Fair’s general manager, Dennis Hazzard, “Over the past few years, the Delaware State Fair has been moving in the direction of online ticket sales. We've made huge strides in our technological systems this past year, and we’ve successfully tested the sales for the Rascal Flatts show.” Hazzard added, “We’re seeing an increasing trend in online purchasing, and we feel the Fair is keeping up with the changing times. Hazzard also added that exhibitors can visit the Fair’s website and submit their entries online.

The Fair opens Thursday, July 21 with "Free Preview Night". Visitors can take advantage of the FREE gate admission and experience the Fair first hand. A DEMOLITION DERBY, kicks off opening night at the Wilmington Trust Grandstand with a second demolition derby being presented Friday, July 29. Engines will roar again on Sunday, July 24 when Paul Shafer Motorsports’ MONSTER TRUCK SHOW comes to the Grandstand. The show will feature Bear Foot, Carolina Crusher, and more!

On stage, the Fair presents two of the hottest country sensations. On Monday, July 25, the Next Ford Super Duty presents TOBY KEITH, locally supported by Delaware Lottery and welcomed to the stage by 97.5 & 105.9 FM CAT Country. On the closing night of the Fair, Saturday, July 30, Coors Light presents RASCAL FLATTS “Here’s to You” 2005 Tour welcomed by Froggy 99, 99.9 FM WWFG and 92.9 WDSD.

If rock music is more your style, you'll be excited to learn the Fair is presenting several concert events. On Saturday, July 23, WAFL “Eagle 97.7 FM” welcomes the pop/rock sensations HOOBASTANK and GAVIN DEGRAW to the stage. For those who wish to reminisce with the hits of the 70's and 80's, WRDX “River 94.7 FM” welcomes REO SPEEDWAGON and STYX to the stage on Tuesday, July 26. The following evening, Wednesday, July 27, the southern rock sounds of LYNYRD SKYNYRD and the CHARLIE DANIELS BAND will fill the air, welcomed by WGBG, “BIG”.

For those fairgoers who wish to just kick back and enjoy a good laugh, LARRY THE CABLE GUY will hit the stage Friday, July 22.

Fairgoers will be mesmerized on Governor's Day, Thursday, July 28, when CIRQUE ODYSSEY brings artistic theatre, extreme trapeze, and intense musical scores together in a presentation that mimics the grandeur of Cirque Du Soleil.

Wilmington Trust will present fireworks on July 25, 28, and 30 after each Grandstand event.

Online ticket sales to Rascal Flatts are available; online sales to all remaining shows will begin May 2. The Fair emphasizes that online access is the best way to get tickets. Visit the Delaware State Fair website for details. Beginning May 9, mail orders will be accepted and phone lines will open. Call (302) 398-5020 or toll-free (866)-DEL-FAIR (866-335-3247) for details. Ticket window sales will begin May 16; the ticket window is located on the fairgrounds across from the Patron Plaza at the base of the Wilmington Trust Grandstand. The ticket office will be closed Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day. All tickets are sold on a first come, first serve, non-refundable basis. The Delaware State Fair also reminds its visitors that NO VIDEO, NO AUDIO, and NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY (this includes cell phones) will be permitted in the Grandstand area.###