Rockin' good time

Valley Life editor

When the Garden Hearty Party kicks off Thursday, two weeks of rockin' will begin at the Alaska State Fair.

This year's musical lineup is as good as ever, with a wide range of acts scheduled to appear at the Borealis Theatre. From 1970s standards to hard-rocking current favorites, the fair is promising something for every music lover.

Opening the fair this year is one of classic rock's top acts -- Styx. The band has put out 14 albums, not including six live albums and six compilations. Styx's latest compilation album, "Come Sail Away," was released earlier this summer. Styx performs Thursday at 7 p.m., with tickets costing $25 for general admission and $35 for reserved seating, both of which include fair admission.

On Monday, Aug. 30, singer/songwriter Phil Vassar takes the stage. He has written for top artists such as Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson, but now he's on stage. At the Country Music Awards in 2002, Vassar's latest release, "American Child," earned him the Top New Male Vocalist award. He plays at 7:30 p.m., with admission set at $15 for general seating and $25 for reserved seating.

Grammy award-winning Christian singer Rebecca St. James comes to the Borealis Theatre on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. The Australian native won the 1999 Grammy for best Christian rock album, and she has performed around the world, spreading her messages of family, abstinence and faith in Jesus. Tickets are $13 and $25.

For local flavor, Delmag and JEB play at 7 p.m. on Sept. 1. Delmag has become a local modern alternative rock favorite, having performed original songs throughout Alaska since 1996. Delmag is the highest-selling rock band at Mammoth Music in Anchorage, and their song "Never Quite That Low" is one of radio station KWHL 106.5's top songs.

Hard rockers Smashmouth play on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., with tickets going for $30. They debuted in 1997 and have been tearing up the charts since, with several No. 1 hits, including "Walkin' on the Sun" and "All-Star." They are also featured on the "Shrek" soundtrack. The pop/rock band has four albums to date, with tracks also appearing on 15 soundtracks.

Country artist Hal Ketchum will appear Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., with free general admission tickets and $20 reserved tickets. Ketchum's first single, "Small Town Saturday Night," hit No. 1 in 1991 and he has had 15 top 10 hits since. He's released seven albums, selling more than four million copies, and he has been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

On Sept. 5, classic rock takes the stage again, as Loverboy performs at 7 p.m., with ticket prices at $13 and $20. For the last 24 years, Loverboy has entertained fans across North America. The band is known for several top hits, including "Heaven in Your Eyes" from the "Top Gun" soundtrack.

The Borealis Theatre's two-week party winds down with Bearfoot Bluegrass, an acoustic band of young Alaskans. The band formed in 1999, and have been playing together ever since. In 2001, the band won the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition, an honor they share with Nickel Creek and the Dixie Chicks. Bearfoot Bluegrass plays at 2 p.m. on Sept. 6, the final day of the fair. Tickets are $15 and $20.