Styx to headline Stark County Fair lineup

• Styx is to headline the music lineup at the 2023 Stark County Fair.
• Styx is slated to perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at the county fairgrounds.
• Country music band Home Free is scheduled to perform Aug. 29.

CANTON – Babe! Classic rock band Styx has been named headliner for this year's Stark County Fair .

The longtime supergroup, which was founded in 1972 in Chicago, has sold millions of albums worldwide and has had hits such as "Babe," the band's only No. 1 hit in 1979; and charted to No. 3 with a trio of hits − "The Best of Times," 1981; "Show Me the Way," 1990; and the wildly popular "Mr. Roboto" in 1983.

Styx is slated to play at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 in the grandstands at the fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

“… this is as good a live band as there is,” lead singer James Young said in a post at styxworld.com. “Someone once told me, ‘I’ve seen Paul McCartney, I’ve seen the Rolling Stones, I’ve seen U2, I’ve seen the Police. But my favorite show last year was Styx .’ I like to say we’re the best-kept secret – but perhaps we’re not anymore."

Jill Sterling, a fair board member and entertainment chairwoman, said the plan to book Styx for the 174th county fair had been in the works since around last fall.

"We've been keeping this a secret for some time. Our goal was being a little more aggressive with seeking our talent," she said.

Styx is also celebrating its 51st year as a band, which Sterling referred to as "extra special."

"It's pretty neat having them come celebrate part of that with us," she said.

The Stark County Fair runs from Aug. 29 through Sept. 4.

Also performing live will be country music act Home Free , at 8 p.m. Aug. 29 at the fairgrounds. The band features five, A Capella vocalists.

Styx tickets are available via the Stark County Fair website and can be accessed here .

For Home Free ticket information, click here .