GREEN COVE SPRINGS – As soon as Curt Towne joined Duval County Line (DCL) and Big Engine for a special Celebrate Clay opening day concert at the Clay County Agricultural Fair, he knew it was going to be a night of music like no other. 

“We're going to have a blast. We're going to pull out some cool stuff,” the leader of the Curt Towne Band said. “We're talking about what we want to do to make it really special for everybody. It's very special to all of us bands, so we want to make it very special for everybody in Clay County. We hope that everybody shows up and celebrates the Clay County Fair with us on opening night. That would be amazing.” 

Towne and DCL’s Paul Wane are outstanding guitarists, and Towne and Wane both craftily suggested the show may include some legendary jam sessions. 

“That's pretty impressive,” Wane said. “I'm tickled about that, looking forward to it. “We're going to do some stuff that hasn't been done. We're all friends. We're just going to have a good time. It's just going to be a heck of a jam.” 

“You never expect the ordinary,” Towne said. “I just hope everything's going to be amazing.” 

The three local bands will kick off the fair’s 40th-anniversary party April 2-12, prompting the theme “40 Sides of Fun.” 

The fair’s concert lineup was revealed Monday, the same day advanced tickets went on sale. Opening day is April 2. Terri Clark will perform at the Cattlemen’s Arena on April 3, followed by George Birge on April 4; Brett Young is scheduled for April 5; Crowder on April 6; and The Isaacs on April 7. All shows start at 7 p.m., except The Isaacs, which begins at 2 p.m. 

“We’re excited about our concert lineup, especially opening night, which is Celebrate Clay Day,” said Fair Executive Director Tasha Hyder. “Clay County residents get in the fair for $5. If they want to see the concert, all seats are $27, except for the VIP section. Those are a little bit more expensive because they include food, private restrooms, meet and greets if the artists choose to do so, which I'm pretty sure these three bands probably will, and front of the stage seats. 

Advance gate tickets and ride wristbands are on sale until April 1, and they offer considerable savings. 

Fairgoers can buy six gate passes and four ride wristbands for $135, which are good for nine of the 11 days (not good on Saturdays), or four gate passes and two ride wristbands for $75 (also not good on Saturdays). Those deals must be purchased in advance. 

Other deals include a front gate pass for $85, valid for all 11 days; advance single-day gate passes for $13 for adults, $10 for children and seniors, and $22 for ride wristbands (not good on Saturdays). Again, those deals must be purchased in advance. 

For example, ride wristbands are $26-$42 a day if bought at the event. 

VIP passes, which include gate and concert admission, as well as VIP access to the concert and demolition derby areas, are $450. 

To purchase advance or concert tickets, visit claycountyfair.org. 

 Hyder said the truck and tractor pulls were moved to a stand-alone event in 2027, while the demolition derby returned to a larger arena with more cars and seats. 

“With more cars, a larger arena and more seating, tickets will be limited,” Hyder said. “If people want to come to the derby, I recommend they get their tickets early, because it will likely sell out again.”

Hyder also said the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs would be the beneficiary of its canned food and non-perishable foods drive for the next two years, highlighted on Our Fair Cares Day on April 8 when fairgoers can get into the fair for $7 with a bag of canned goods or pet supplies. The fair rotates its efforts to support local food pantries every two years.

Other events will include 4-H, FFA and livestock competitions, Dress Like a Farm Animal Day, pet adoptions, Fair Queen Crowning, a Donut-Eating contest, a Food Judging Contest, a STEM contest, a Rabbit Fashion Show, a Mullett Matchup, a Corn Dog Eating Contest, Food Deals, Poultry Showmanship, Cow Patty BINGO, a Main Street Parade, a Beard and Mustache Contest, a Hobby Horse Competition, a Fried Oreo-Eating Contest, a Livestock Dinner and Auction, a Hamburger Bash, a Youth Whip Popping, a Parade of Champions, a Slushie-Drinking Contest, Horticulture and a Home Arts Auction, an Open Fun Fish Show, a Celebrity/Auction Show and Plant and Art Auction. 

For the Curt Towne Band (CTB), DCL and Big Engine, the fair is not only a chance for old friends to play close to home, but also a chance to highlight their latest albums. 

CTB, which frequently opens for Lynyrd Skynyrd, released “At it Again” in 2023; DCL dropped its “Hammer Stone” last year, and Big Engine often plays music off its “Shot Like a Rocket” from 2014. 

“This will be just buddies getting up there and having fun,” Towne said. “After that, I'm sure it won't be like anything anyone's seen."