By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hairball will return to the Kansas State Fair this year, bringing its 1980s rock tribute show back to the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand.
The band’s Balls To The Wall Tour is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz made the announcement on the KWBW Morning Show on Monday. He said Hairball has become a dependable draw at the fair.
“When you can put about 3,000 to 4,000 people in the grandstand for a cover band, I just say, ‘Hey, what the heck, let’s do it,’” Schulz said. “The responses that we get from it, it is pretty fantastic.”
Hairball is known for tribute performances of 1980s rock acts, including Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue and Queen. The show includes costume changes, full makeup, pyrotechnics and lighting effects.
“If you’ve been to the concert, you know that they are an ’80s rock and roll tribute band,” Schulz said. “Every time they do this, the lead singer comes out with a different look. I mean, they are Gene Simmons, they are Freddie Mercury, they are that person, so they’re fully dressed up, full makeup, all that kind of stuff.”
Schulz said the band was interested in returning to Hutchinson after last year’s show.
“We’ve got to know the guys really, really well over the years, and they’re excited about coming back,” Schulz said. “They actually had called us last year after they left and said, can we just put you down for a couple years in a row?”
Tickets go on sale Friday, May 22, at KansasStateFair.gov. Fair email subscribers will have access to a presale beginning Thursday, May 21.
Reserved grandstand seats are $40 and $35. Track Party Pit standing tickets are $45. VIP Deck standing tickets are $85 and include early entrance, two drink tickets and appetizers from 6 to 7 p.m. VIP Deck reserved tables are $635 and seat six people, with the same VIP benefits included.
Schulz said the prices include fees.
“Remember these are all inclusive prices that I’m quoting right now,” Schulz said. “This is all your fees and everything.”
Each grandstand ticket includes a gate admission scan valid for the date of the event.
Schulz said the fair is also offering a payment plan option for ticket buyers this year.
“We know that money’s a little tight right now, so if you would like, when you’re buying your tickets, you can actually spread the payment out over two to three payments,” Schulz said.
Schulz encouraged people to buy tickets through the Kansas State Fair website or ticket office instead of third-party vendors.
“If you buy it from the Kansas State Fair or Etix, you call into the ticket office, and Margo or one of her teammates will pick up the phone,” Schulz said. “The customer service aspect on buying them here at the Kansas State Fair is the way you want to go.”
Schulz also clarified that the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand is located at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.
“There has been some questions when we post that Hairball is going to be at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand,” Schulz said. “It is at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, not down at the casino.”
More information is available at KansasStateFair.gov or by calling 620-669-3618. The 2026 Kansas State Fair is scheduled for Sept. 11-20.