State Fair announces Grandstand lineup

Country star Thomas Rhett, pop singer Shawn Mendes and Grammy-winner Gladys Knight will headline the State Fair’s Pepsi Grandstand this year, fair organizers announced Monday.

Rhett, a CMA “New Artist of the Year” nominee and son of singer-songwriter Rhett Akins, will perform Oct. 14.

Canadian crooner and Vine video sensation Shawn Mendes performs Oct. 16. The “Stitches” singer recently celebrated his 17th birthday while on tour with Taylor Swift.

Seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knignt, known as the Empress of Soul, performs Oct. 18.

Other Grandstand headliners are Australian Christian pop rock band Newsboys, Christian music band Israel and New Breed, country singer-songwriter Cole Swindell and Army ensemble The Volunteers.

Israel and New Breed and The Volunteers shows are free. The fair will also offer a range of local entertainment on three smaller stages.

For more information and tickets, visit www.scstatefair.org/p/entertainment

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 12:45 PM.