August at the Fairgrounds: Derby race, cat show and Wild West fundraiser

As the Central Florida temperatures continue to heat up, so does the action at the Volusia County Fairgrounds! This August, the Fairgrounds’ schedule includes competition by the Thunder City Roller Derby (the team’s last bout of the season), fabulous felines competing for love and prizes in the six-ring Tropical Cat Show, and a wildly popular Junior Service League fundraiser.

On Saturday, Aug. 11, The Thunder City Derby Sirens return to their Saturday night venue as they compete against the Gold Coast Derby Grrls at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presale tickets are $8 (www.derbysirens.com) or $10 at the door. Tickets for children ages 6 and up are half-price, while children 5 and under are admitted free.

The Tropical Cat Show returns to the Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children age 7 and up (children under 7 are admitted free).  Family ticket packages are available for $15; for details, visit www.catshows.us.

The Tropical Cat Show is a six-ring CFA all-breed cat and household pet show, with a 225-entry limit. Judges Don Williams, Wayne Trevathan, Barbara Summer, Rachel Anger, Carla Bizzell and Vicki Abelson will dole out rosettes and ribbons to winning entries.

The Junior Service League of DeLand is holding its popular Wild West fundraising event at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 25. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Tommy Lawrence Arena. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door, and are available from Junior Service League members or through several DeLand-based businesses, including Mainstreet Community Bank (Downtown DeLand branch) and Quality Quickprint. Visit www.jsofdeland.org for details.

Youths planning to show livestock during the Nov. 1-11 Volusia County Fair & Youth Show are reminded to register their livestock at the Fairgrounds by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31.  Entry forms must have an attached bill of sale, a notarized waiver and a livestock-owner certificate. Incomplete and late entry forms will not be accepted; photocopying is not available at the Fair office and all documents should be completed in advance. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fair office at (386) 734-9514 with questions regarding livestock entries.

Volusia County Fair announces 2012 headlining acts

The 68th annual Volusia County Fair & Youth Show in DeLand has announced the 2012 Fair Concert Series for the “South’s Greatest County Fair.” From Nov. 1 – Nov. 11, 2012, fans are invited to gather their friends and family and head on over to the Fairgrounds for three amazing performances: Tracy Lawrence, The Letterman and The Farm.  Concerts during the Volusia County Fair & Youth Show are free with gate admission, and limited general admission seating is available for all performances. 

Tracy Lawrence kicks off the 2012 Volusia County Fair Concert Series at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3. Performing his first hits “Paint Me a Birmingham" and "Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” to "Renegades, Rebels and Rogues" and the soundtrack of the movie “Maverick,” Lawrence will have fans singing along and dancing in the aisles. Lawrence is credited with four consecutive No. 1 hits – "Alibis," "Can't Break it to My Heart," "My Second Home," and "If the Good Die Young" – and continues to thrill fans around the world.

At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, The Lettermen will be performing on the Fair’s annual “Senior Day.”  While letter sweaters may make only a brief appearance, The Lettermen harmony promises to make a non-stop showing. From their first hit "The Way You Look Tonight" (1961), through current hits of today, the group’s sound remains distinct. Eighteen gold albums and scores of top singles attest to The Lettermen’s popularity and a style that generations have enjoyed.

The Letterman brought words to the Percy Faith hit, "Theme From A Summer Place," revived the classic Charlie Chaplin song, "Smile,” warmed us with "Our Winter Love,” and  begged, "Come Back Silly Girl.” In 1966, The Letterman produced one of the most loved holiday albums ever recorded, "For Christmas This Year.” Late 1967 brought about a live album, and arguably the group's most loved and requested hit, "Goin' Out Of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off You.”

Rounding out this year’s concerts will be up-and-coming group The Farm, set to perform on Saturday, Nov.10 at 8 p.m. The group’s hit “Home Sweet Home,” is climbing the charts; its debut, album The Farm, Inc., launched July 17.

In many ways, The Farm is a hybrid act: a trio deeply rooted in country music, which also folds in sonic elements from a variety of popular-music genres. All the while, however, the group has solid vocal harmony at its core.