For Summer’s Big Concerts with Elton John and the Fair
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – Preparations are underway at Champlain Valley Exposition for the biggest outdoor concert of the summer – the first-ever Vermont performance by rock legend Elton John on Monday, July 21.
Tickets for the concert at the 10,000-seat Coca-Cola Grandstand sold at a “rocket-powered” pace when they went on sale in early May.
Now, with about a week to go, work crews are busy putting a fresh coat of green paint on the grandstand seats. And once that is done, another painting crew will come through and re-number the 3,000-plus seats, according to the Expo’s General Manager David F. Grimm. It will take more than 100 gallons of paint for the grandstand benches, not to mention the aisles and box seat area. The Grandstand’s perimeter fences are also getting a facelift, weeds are being pulled and signs are being painted.
“We want to put on the best face possible for this once-in-a-lifetime show that marks a major milestone in Elton John’s career – playing in all 50 states,” Grimm said.
“It will also benefit all our events, including the 10 days of concerts and motor sports during the Champlain Valley Fair that begins next month on Aug. 23,” he noted. Among the 2008 Bud Light Music Series concerts at the Fair: Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion on Aug. 23, country star Toby Keith (Aug. 30), pop sensations The Jonas Brothers (Aug. 31) and Danity Kane (Aug. 25), and rockers Daughtry (Aug. 24) and Ted Nugent (Aug. 29). Tickets are still available for all Fair concerts at www.flynntix.org or by calling 802-86-FLYNN.
It will be a busy weekend at Champlain Valley Exposition, with the potential for some 25,000 people coming on the grounds between Sunday’s WOKO Country Club Music Festival with Jason Aldean and John Anderson that could attract up to 15,000 people and 10,000-plus to Monday’s Elton John concert.
There will be more than 10,000 people coming from Vermont, across New England and beyond for the Elton John’s 2008 “Rocket Man – Number Ones” tour, presented by Live Nation.
According to Tom Oddy, the Expo’s director of special events, the Exposition grounds will open for parking at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 21 using the main entrance Gate B off Route 15 (Pearl Street) and Gate E off Route 2A.
“Everyone entering the Exposition grounds will be required to have a ticket to the concert. It’s also important to note that due to the size of the expected crowd no tailgate picnics, coolers, bottles or cans are allowed,” Oddy said.
“We are encouraging folks to come early to avoid possible traffic delays due to regional road construction projects. We will have a variety of food vendors, the Halvorsen’s Beer and Wine Garden and other concessions available for an early dinner,” he noted.
The Coca-Cola Grandstand gates will open at approximately 6:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert. No cameras, video or audio recording devices are allowed inside the concert.
The July 21st concert has taken on special significance for Elton John fans since it marks the first time he has played in Vermont. The concert comes 38 years after his first US appearance in 1970 in the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles, Calif. With the Vermont concert, Elton John can claim to have played at least once in every one of the 50 American states.
Elton John and his band, including members Davey Johnstone on guitar, Guy Babylon on keyboards, Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion and Nigel Olsson on drums will play his greatest hits and more recent songs from his latest release, "Rocket Man • Number Ones." Elton John has sold more than 200 million records and continues to add innovative work to his personal repertoire of 29 consecutive Top 40 hits, 35 gold and 25 platinum albums.
"Rocket Man • Number Ones," released in March 2007, debuted in the top 10 and features newly compiled and digitally mastered greatest hits spanning the first three decades of the singer-songwriter’s career.
Champlain Valley Exposition is located at 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction. It is home of the Champlain Valley Fair. For more information about other upcoming concerts and special events, visit www.cvexpo.org to sign up for a free e-newsletter, or call (802) 878-5545.
CONCERT INFO:
Elton John Concert
Monday, July 21 at 8 pm
Coca-Cola Grandstand at Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl Street (Rt. 15), Essex Junction, VT
Gate B (Route 15) and Gate E (Route 2A) open for parking at 5 pm.
On-site parking included with concert ticket
Variety of food concessions and beer and wine garden open at 5 pm
No tailgate picnics, coolers, outside bottles or cans allowed.
Coca-Cola Grandstand gates open approximately 6:30 pm
No cameras, video or audio recording devices, laser pointers allowed
No large backpacks or umbrellas.
For updates and more info, www.cvexpo.org
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