Chicago with the Tacoma Symphony, Weird Al, Trace Adkins and More Onstage at The Puyallup Fair

Doing the Puyallup Fair is not just about rides and fried food. Big names are featured this week at the fair's concert series.

The non-rodeo related music kicked off Monday with teen singer and actress Selena Gomez and the Scene. The concerts continue Tuesday and through the fair with the legendary band Chicago, which will play with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra on that night, comedy performer "Weird Al" Yankovic, rockers The Flaming Lips, classic rock singers Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, country music and TV star Trace Adkins and more.

The concerts will be at the The Northwest Concert Center, and ticket prices include fair admission, so you can still get your share of rides, animal demonstrations and more. (Concerts are not included in the regular fair admission.)

Among the great acts slated to perform this week is Chicago, which includes original band members Robert Lamm on keyboards, vocals, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, James Pankow on trombone and Walt Parazaider on woodwinds. The band, now in its fifth decade, also includes Jason Scheff on bass, vocals, Tris Imboden on drums, Keith Howland on guitar, Lou Pardini on keyboards, vocals and Drew Hester on percussion.

The band rose to prominence in the 1970s with its jazz-influenced rock and roll, which included hits such as "Beginnings," "Saturday in the Park," "25 or 6 to 4," and "If You Leave Me Now."

Today, 43 years after the band first formed, they also give an energetic show, as you can see in the clip attached to this article.

Unfortunately, I won't get a chance to see Chicago with the Tacoma Symphony because I'll be staffing the at the exact same time as the concert. . Show me pictures from the concert, if you happen to stop by!

Concert Schedule

Chicago with The Tacoma Symphony

Tuesday Sept. 13, 2011 at 7:30 pm 

Sammy Hagar & The Wabos

Wednesday Sept. 14, 2011 at 7:30 pm

"Weird Al" Yankovic

Thursday Sept. 15, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith

2 Friends Tour

Friday Sept. 16, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Miranda Lambert

Saturday Sept. 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Fiestas Patrias El Gran Concierto

Featuring Intocable with Explosion Musical and Ely Quintero

Sunday Sept. 18, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson

with special guest Cowboy Troy

Monday Sept. 19, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs

Tuesday Sept. 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm

The Flaming Lips

with Le Butcherettes

Wednesday Sept. 21, 2011 at 7:30 pm 

Counting Crows

with Kasey Anderson & The Honkies

Thursday Sept. 22, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Trace Adkins

with Special Guests Gloriana

Friday Sept. 23, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Larry the Cable Guy

Saturday Sept. 24, 2011 at 7:30 pm 

Never Shout Never with The Maine, A Rocket to the Moon and The Downtown Fiction

Presented by 106.1 KISS FM

Sunday Sept. 25, 2011 at 4:00 pm

If you go

Tickets are available at the Puyallup Fair website, http://ww.thefair.com/concerts (NOT Ticketmaster) or by phone (888) 559-FAIR (3247). The phone number will be staffed daily, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. PST.

Editor's note: Venice Buhain is the editor of Bellevue Patch.