Appalachian Fair Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Star-Studded Lineup
When the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, Tennessee, open their gates from Aug. 22‑29, 2026, the region will celebrate a century of tradition and music.
Founded in 1926 as a modest agricultural gathering, the fair has evolved into one of the Southeast’s largest annual festivals, attracting more than 200,000 visitors each year.
The 100th‑anniversary edition will run from Saturday, Aug. 22‑29, with a dedicated concert schedule that begins on the first day of the fair.
The lineup opens with contemporary Christian band CAIN on Aug. 22. The group has earned two consecutive No. 1 radio singles with “Rise Up (Lazarus)” and “Yes He Can,” and has received GMA Dove Awards for Television Series of the Year (2024) and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (2024). CAIN’s touring history includes headlining tours and sharing stages with Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, and Phil Wickham.
Crowder will perform on Monday, Aug. 24. His debut solo single “Come As You Are” earned a 2015 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. The 2024 album Milk & Honey produced three singles—“Good God Almighty,” “In the House,” and “God Really Loves Us”—featuring Hulvey, Dante Bowe, and Maverick City Music. Crowder joined CAIN on the Winter Jam Tour in 2024 and is known for high‑energy, crowd‑pleasing shows.
Country group Lonestar is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. The band’s catalog includes hits such as “Amazed,” “My Front Porch Looking In,” and “I’m Already There.” Lonestar’s 1999 single “Amazed” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first country song to top the chart since 1983.
Wednesday, Aug. 26 opens a four‑night run of rising country artists. Former The Voice contestant Corey Kent will headline the first night. Kent has earned two country‑radio No. 1 singles—“Wild As Her” (3× Platinum) and “This Heart” (Gold)—and has accumulated over one billion career streams. His 2025 single “Something’s Gonna Kill Me” received Platinum certification.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, Gabby Barrett will perform. The 26‑year‑old has amassed more than 4.2 billion global streams and has charted hits like “In On It,” “The Easy Part,” and “Ain’t Supposed to Be.” Barrett has toured with Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, and Brooks & Dunn, and is slated for a headline run in summer 2026.
Friday, Aug. 28, features Kameron Marlowe, another The Voice alumnus. Marlowe’s debut single “Giving You Up” surpassed 15 million on‑demand streams before signing with Sony Music; the track earned Gold certification. His follow‑up single “Take You Up on It” has also drawn significant attention.
The final night, Saturday, Aug. 29, is reserved for Ashley Cooke. Cooke’s 2023 single “Your Place” reached No. 1 on country radio, earned Gold certification, and charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won a 2024 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. Cooke’s sophomore album, released Aug. 14, will be promoted during the fair, and she is scheduled to begin the Baby Blues World Tour on Sept. 17.
Tickets for the concert series are available through the Appalachian Fair website. The fair’s official site lists admission prices, show times, and additional event details. The 100th‑anniversary concerts are part of a broader slate of regional events, including the upcoming Rhythm and Roots festival in September, the Meet the Mountains event, and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough in October.
The Appalachian Fair’s centennial celebration brings together a mix of Christian and country music that reflects the region’s cultural heritage. With a lineup that includes award‑winning artists and chart‑topping performers, the fair is poised to attract visitors from across the Southeast and beyond.
