As the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair celebrates its 150th year this month, it received a congratulatory message a performer who once graced its grandstand stage before becoming one of the biggest stars in the history of country and American popular music.
Garth Brooks, who performed at the Grange Fair in 1990 just as his popularity began to explode, recorded the brief video message that was posted on the fair’s Facebook page on Thursday afternoon.
“Congratulations to the Grange Fair on 150 years,” Brooks said. “It’s a great celebration. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.”
Brooks performed at the fair a year after his self-titled debut album was released and the same month his sophomore album, “No Fences,” hit record stores and radio. With mega-hit songs that have since become classics, like “Friends in Low Places” and “The Thunder Rolls,” it would be Brooks’ first No. 1 country album and reach No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
He went on to be the best-selling solo albums artist in U.S. history, was named “Artist of the ’90s” by the American Music Awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Brooks returned to Centre County in 1997 for a five-night run at the Bryce Jordan Center and again in 2015 for a six-show stand at the Penn State arena.
The 150th Grange Fair runs from Aug. 16-24 at Grange Park in Centre Hall. This year’s grandstand concerts, which are free with admission to the fair, are slated to include country stars Jo Dee Messina, Aaron Tippin and Alex Miller, among others.
The documentary film “Grange Fair: Celebrating 150 Years” will premiere at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the grandstand.
