They call it the Five Best Days of Summer. I, personally, like to call it Eastern Iowa's State Fair. The Great Jones County Fair in Monticello is a July must for fairgoers and music lovers alike thanks to a very rich concert history.

The Great Jones County Fair has played host to hundreds of musical performers and more since the mid-1950s. How many places can say they've welcomed everyone from the comedy duo Abbott & Costello, to current country superstar Luke Combs? Combs was the opening act for Jason Aldean four years ago. He now has a string of 13 consecutive number one songs and is pulling in huge money with every concert he performs.

As you peruse the list below, you'll also notice Johnny Cash and Alabama played in Monticello the same year... the year after Alabama had their first number one song. Their #1 streak would eventually reach 21 songs in a row.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Conway Twitty. The list of famous names runs deep on the list below. How many of these did you attend? Maybe your parents or even your grandparents were at some of them.

We'll just keep adding to this amazing list every year and continue to consider ourselves lucky to be part of it. We'll see you in Monticello.

Great Jones County Fair
Great Jones County Fair
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  • 2024: Lainey Wilson, Jackson Dean, Creed, Switchfoot, Finger Eleven, Cody Johnson, Randall King, Hailey Whitters
  • 2023: Shinedown, Saint Asonia, Pitbull, Neon Union, Jon Pardi, Russell Dickerson, We the Kingdom, Anne Wilson
  • 2022: Hank Williams Jr., Tracy Byrd, Brothers Osborne, Lee Brice, 3 Doors Down, Uncle Kracker, Blanco Brown
  • 2021: Dan & Shay, Gavin DeGraw, Zac Brown Band, Ross Ellis, Kane Brown, Midland, Restless Road, For King & Country, Zach Williams
  • 2020: Fair canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
  • 2019: Chris Stapleton, Kendell Marvel, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Hootie and the Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies, TobyMac, We Are Messengers
  • 2018: Luke Bryan, Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Casting Crowns, Lauren Daigle
  • 2017: Keith Urban, Frankie Ballard, Thomas Rhett, Big & Rich, Nickelback, Daughtry, Mercy Me, Crowder
  • 2016: Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Chris Lane, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, Boston, 38 Special, Dennis DeYoung, For King and Country, Tenth Avenue North, Hawk Nelson
  • 2015: Tim McGraw, Chasin Crazy, Eric Church, Charlie Worsham, Toby Keith,  Waterloo Revival, Newsboys, Matthew West
  • 2014: Miranda Lambert, Tyler Farr, Luke Bryan, Lee Brice, Kid Rock, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Chris Tomlin, Colton Dixon
  • 2013: Sheryl Crow, Gary Allan, Motley Crue, Tesla, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, TobyMac, Jamie Grace, Capital Kings
  • 2012: Blake Shelton, Josh Thompson, Toby Keith, Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Heart,
  • 2011: Jason Aldean, Chris Young, Thompson Square, Lady Antebellum, Josh Kelley, Seether, Hinder, My Darkest Days
  • 2010: Lady Antebellum, Phil Vassar, Alan Jackson, The Band Perry, Styx, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Grand Funk Railroad
  • 2009: Brooks & Dunn, Steve Miller Band, David Cook, Green River Ordinance, Raven Symone, V Factory, Varsity Fanclub
  • 2008: Josh Turner, JoDee Messina, Dierks Bentley & Miranda Lambert, Halfway to Hazard, Boston, Doodlebops, Terry Fator
  • 2007: Trace Adkins, Jamie O'Neal, Sugarland, Keith Anderson, Chicago, Corbin Blue, Drake Bell, Bianca Ryan
  • 2006: Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, Foreigner, Gary Puckett
  • 2005: Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, REO Speedwagon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dickey Betts, Letterman
  • 2004: Clint Black, Gretchen Wilson, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Del McCoury Band, Beach Boys, Chubby Checker and the Wildcats,
  • 2003: Lonestar, Kenny Rogers, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Meat Loaf, Crystal Gayle, Coasters, The Drifters, The Platters
  • 2002: George Jones, Aaron Tippin, Steve Holy, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • 2001: Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Jessica Andrews, Billy Gilman, John Michael Montgomery, Styx
  • 2000: Alabama, Lila McCann, Kenny Chesney, Sawyer Brown
  • 1999: Billy Ray Cyrus, Martina McBride, BTO (Bachman-Turner Overdrive), Little River Band
  • 1998: Neal McCoy, Oak Ridge Boys, Three Dog Night, Starship with Mickey Thomas
  • 1997: LeAnn Rimes, David Lee Muphy, Grand Funk Railroad, Jerry Clower, Mustang Sally
  • 1996: John Anderson, Ty England, 38 Special
  • 1995: The Tractors, Ken Mellons, The Kentucky Headhunters, Lee Greenwood, Ronnie McDowell
  • 1994: Confederate Railroad, Doug Supernaw, Little Texas, Merle Haggard, Twister Alley
  • 1993: Waylon Jennings, Michelle Wright, Chris LeDoux, McBride & The Ride
  • 1992: Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Lawrence, Trisha Yearwood
  • 1991: Charlie Daniels Band, Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart,
  • 1990: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lorrie Morgan, Shenandoah, The Diamonds, Johnny Tillotson, Brian Hyland, Hot Rod-Chevy Kevy
  • 1989: Tanya Tucker, Eddie Rabbitt, Sha Na Na
  • 1988: Mickey Gilley, Marie Osmond, Highway 101, The Jets
  • 1987: Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Bellamy Brothers,
  • 1986: Dave & Sugar, Exile, Mel McDaniel, The Memories, LIFE
  • 1985: Reba McEntire, Sawyer Brown, Jerry Reed, Atlanta, Ronny Robbins
  • 1984: Ronnie McDowell, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Louise Mandrell, The Kendalls
  • 1983: Roy Clark, T.G. Sheppard, Jeannie C. Riley, The Lettermen
  • 1982: Pure Prairie League, Box Car Willie, Sylvia, The Challengers
  • 1981: Johnny Cash, Alabama, Helen Cornelius
  • 1980: Loretta Lynn, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chubby Checker, Tanya Welk
  • 1979: Grandpa Jones, Oak Ridge Boys, Kingston Trio, Jim Ed Brown
  • 1978: Statler Brothers, Flash Cadillac, Bob McGrath of Sesame Street
  • 1977: Loretta Lynn, Sonny James, Bobby Goldsboro
  • 1976: Ronnie Milsap, Marty Robbins, Judy Lynn
  • 1975: Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, David Houston
  • 1974: Mel Tillis, Ray Stevens, Kids Next Door, Clay Hart
  • 1973: Statler Brothers, Frankie Avalon, Frankie Carr
  • 1972: Bobby Vinton, Boots Randolph, Jerry Van Dyke
  • 1971: Conway Twitty, Oak Ridge Boys, Ray Price, Jodi Miller, George Kirby
  • 1970: Sonny James, Barbara Mandrell, The Golddiggers
  • 1969: Ferlin Husky, Carl Perkins, Pat Butram, Burgess & King, Jimmy Darrow
  • 1968: Rex Allen, Minnie Pearl, Faron Young, Statler Brothers, Skitch Henderson, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
  • 1967: Bobby Vinton, Porter Wagoner, George Kirby, Allen Rossi
  • 1966: Ferlin Husky, Peter Drake, Ronnie Dove, Buffalo Bill
  • 1965: George Kirby, Judy Miller, Bobby Burgess & Barbara Boylan, Roger Miller, Johnny Tillotson
  • 1964: Jerry Van Dyke, Conway Twitty, Anita Bryant, Grandpa Jones
  • 1963: Glen Miller Orchestra by Ray McKinley, Jimmy Durren, Peter Palmer Orchestra
  • 1962: Glen Miller Orchestra by Tex Benoke, Ray Eberle, Skitch Henderson
  • 1961: Neil Sedaka, Abbott & Costello, Frankie Masters, Candy Candido
  • 1960: Bob Crosby, Brenda Lee, June Taylor Dancers
  • 1959: Tommy Sand & Ben Beri, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy
  • 1958: Ted Weens, Homer & Jethro, Herb Schriner, Four Preps, Eddy Peabody & Teddy Phillips
  • 1957: Sammy Kay, Don Rogers, Jeffery Clay, Candy Candido
  • 1956: Tex Ritter, Smiley Barnett, Ray Anthony Orchestra, Chas Pivake Orchestra

2022 through 2015 Great Jones County Fair Concerts

A look back at the country shows in Monticello, Iowa.

10 Little Iowa Towns Known For Big Things