Paris, Illinois, is a small town located in Edgar County. Most country music fans know this town because it is home of country star Brett Eldridge. If you are a country music fan who is a fan of Brett Eldridge, then you more than likely know his song Paris, Illinois. That is just the way things tend to work especially when you are from Paris, Illinois.
As Paris is a small town, the excitement for our traditions carry over year to year providing locals with something to look forward to. One of those many traditions is the Edgar County Fair. Fair season is always a hit for the locals presenting The Pageant for Edgar County Fair Queen, Truck and Tractor Pull, and, of course, a rather new addition to our towns fair festivities the announcement for the Grandstand Concert series Artist. As the fair board work diligently to make these things happen, this years selection was the one and only Scotty McCreery! When news hit the town for his upcoming performance, long time country music fans of Scotty’s went wild immediately purchasing their tickets, finding their show friends to enjoy the evening with and then some. Scotty had small town Paris, Illinois, locals going absolutely crazy at the thought of him arriving in our small town to put on a show.
The day came! The fair festivities had began at the Edgar County Fair grounds. Food trucks were parked just outside of the grandstands and hundreds of fans lined up outside the gate waiting for the rush of the doors to open to run to their places. As everyone wanted the best spot possible for this show which is right up against the barricade. Fans who did not have pit access line up at Scotty McCreery’s merchandise table to grab their merch before the line became too overwhelming.
As every great artist does have their opening artists Scotty had the wonderful Meghan Patrick, and uprising star projected to make it big time headlining arenas across the country Zach Top to perform and hype up the audience.
First to take the stage on that warm Saturday afternoon was Meghan Patrick. Meghan said a prayer with her band members backstage prior to showtime. Meghan was greeted onto the stage by fans cheering and screaming in excitement. Throughout Meghan’s performance she performed many of her own songs and even performed Shania Twain’s "Man! I Feel Like a Woman." Soon she threw a guitar pick to one of her younger fans. Because the stage was a bit distant from the barricade the guitar pick did not make it to the fan and Instead landed in the area between the stage and barricade (the photo pit). This photographer noticed the pick and handed it to the fan ensuring it was secure in their hand prior to walking away. Meghan continued her show and left a memorable mark on Edgar County.
Zach top was up next. As this uprising artist had fans on the edge of their seat prior to his entry onto the stage, both male and female fans alike were excited. Looking out into the audience nearly everyone had their phones out ready to record or take photos of Zach. Zach had such a hold on everyone this night that It’s hard to explain the energy, and emotion in the air. What is it Zach Top does to wow a crowd? Is it His vocals? Is it his charm? Maybe it is the tune of his upbeat country songs? Whatever the reason is, Zach Top nearly won the night over for himself. After Zach’s performance fans lined up outside of the barricade just in front of Zach’s bus. There Zach hosted meet and greets with his beloved fans taking selfies with them and autographing items such as their hats, and recently purchased Zach Top merchandise from the Zach Top merch stand. Just behind Zach’s tour bus was another group of fans meeting with Scotty McCreery!
Shortly after meet and greets, Scotty McCreery prepared to take the stage. His band members walked out first. Lights were flashing, fans grew eager and cheered! Scotty presented to the stage coming from stage left! The opposite side from where Meghan, and Zach entered the stage. Scotty ran out with enthusiasm and high energy! He sang his first song then asked the audience if they were ready for new hits and older hits! Scotty continued his set and brought out Zach Top to perform their rendition of the famous "Watermelon Crawl" originally sang by Tracy Byrd. Scotty, later in his se,t sang his fan favorites "Five More Minutes," "See You Tonight," and "Damn Straight." Scotty soon introduced his band members thanking them. Scotty exited the stage leaving Paris locals eager for an encore! Scotty’s name was cheered! Scotty approached the stage to provide fans with just a song or two more! The lights let up as Scotty finished his finale and he thanked the small town of Paris, Illinois, for coming to his show.
The impact Scotty McCreery, Zach Top, and Meghan Patrick left on our town this evening is an impact left on Edgar County and one that Paris locals will not take for granted. Not many of our locals get opportunities to experience shows like this. For this performance to happen locally was a childhood dream for all of us who grew up listening to Scotty McCreery.
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