Colorado State Fairgrounds cautiously preparing for 2021 state fair

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - The Colorado State Fairgrounds is preparing for a full slate of live entertainment this year.

The show kicks off at the grandstand with country star Casey Donahew on August 27. Officials at the Colorado State Fairgrounds say early ticket sales are now outpacing the last two years.

Scott Stoller, the general manager at the Colorado State Fairgrounds says the list of performers includes rapper Nelly and country singer Jon Pardi, who were both scheduled to play last year.

"Nelly and Jon Pardi are two of the hottest tickets we have right now, this week we are going to surpass gross tickets receipts for July 1 of the normal year," expressed Stoller.

Those performances will both be inside at the Event Center working at 50% capacity, but officials will put the brakes on if they need to.

"Our plan is to watch ticket sales as they get close to that 50% mark, that is where we are gonna reach out to public officials and if it is still looking borderline, we will make the call then," added Stoller. This is what Stoller and his team hope for.

"Our hope is to have Plan A, which is to have the fair that people expect. Last year we obviously had to make drastic changes to the capacity, so we are prepared as we get closer to pair back if we have to," said Stoller.

As of now Pueblo County Health Department says they are averaging 30 to 60 cases a day and the vaccination rate is at 48.2 percent. That's considered fairly low as the goal is 70 percent.

But should the State Fairgrounds have to adjust, they are up for the challenge.

"There could be a scenario --and we are planning for this-- to where we can not have indoor concerts, and if we do that, we will offer people full refunds if those concerts are canceled and even if they are rescheduled," said Stoller.

The box office is scheduled to open around June. For a list of artists and concert information click here.