Thursday, September 2, 2010 7:29 am

   Three premium concerts await fairgoers at the 2010 N.C. Mountain State Fair. Country headliner Chuck Wicks will take the stage on Wed., Sept. 15, and a gospel concert featuring This Hope and The Oxendines will be held Thurs., Sept. 16.

   Both concerts start at 7pm in McGough Arena. Concert tickets will be $8 and available day of the concert, or fairgoers can purchase concert tickets in advance in combination with a gate ticket for $15.

   A special concert on Sun., Sept. 19, will feature legendary bluegrass performer John Cowan at 5pm on the new outdoor Bojangles Music Stage. Cowan will take a break from touring with The Doobie Brothers to perform with the John Cowan Band. Bluegrass fans may also remember Cowan’s soaring lead vocals from his days with New Grass Revival.

   The winners of the Mountain State Fair old-time and bluegrass band competition, along with cloggers, will open the Cowan show at 3pm. The concert is free with fair admission.

   “We’ve placed both of the McGough concerts on days where we have special promotions at the fair to give our patrons an even better deal and a chance to save money,” said Fair Manager Matt Buchanan. “The Cowan concert is a great way to cap off our music competitions that take place nightly, and we’re proud to be able to offer this concert to all fairgoers without additional charge.”

   Wicks will appear on Ingles Day at the Mountain State Fair, where fairgoers can exchange five cans of Laura Lynn brand food for free gate admission. Food collected benefits the MANNA Food Bank.

   Wicks’ new single, “Hold That Thought,” is receiving strong airplay across the country and is playing locally on KISS Country.

   Gospel music fans recognize The Oxendines, from Shannon in Robeson County, for their traditional approach to Southern gospel with a blues twist, and This Hope for its contemporary gospel style singing both a cappella and with accompaniment.

   More info is available at www.mountainfair.org.