MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
With just 109 days until the gates open for the 2025 Kansas State Fair, the countdown is officially on — and today’s big announcement has music fans buzzing. Brian Schultz, General Manager of the Kansas State Fair, joined KW to reveal the latest headlining act: chart-topping alternative rock band The Fray will take the stage at the Nex-Tech Grandstand on Saturday, September 13, with special guests Plain White T’s opening the show.
“We’re thrilled to bring The Fray to Hutchinson,” said Schultz. “Their music resonates across generations, and pairing them with the Plain White T’s makes for an unforgettable night.”
The Fray, known for massive hits like "How to Save a Life" and "Over My Head (Cable Car)", earned four Grammy nominations and contributed to the soundtrack of TV series like Grey’s Anatomy. Meanwhile, Chicago-based Plain White T’s bring their own pop-rock credentials with the platinum hit "Hey There Delilah."
Schultz noted that this year’s concert lineup aims to build on the success of last year’s Goo Goo Dolls performance, which was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. “We think this concert sits perfectly in that same genre and is going to be one of our biggest nights.”
Ticket Info & Pricing
Tickets will go on presale Thursday, May 22, for those registered on the fair’s email list. General public sales open Friday morning, May 23. Registration and ticket access are available through KansasStateFair.com.
Ticket pricing includes fair admission:
Reserved Grandstand Seating: $35–$45
Track Party Pit (Standing Room Front of Stage): $75
VIP Deck (Standing Room + 2 drinks & appetizers): $100
VIP Deck Table for Six (includes drinks & appetizers): $800
Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Fairgrounds Ticket Office, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM, or by phone at (620) 669-3618.
Avoid Third-Party Sellers
Schultz issued a reminder to avoid third-party ticket vendors. “Always purchase tickets through our official site,” he said. “We use E-tix as our authorized provider. Third-party sellers often charge much more, and there’s no guarantee you’ll even receive valid tickets.”
New Ticket Transparency Rule
Schultz also discussed a recent ruling from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), known as the “No Junk Fee” rule, which went into effect on May 12. This rule requires all ticketing platforms to disclose full pricing — including service fees and taxes — upfront, instead of surprising customers at checkout.
“We’ve already updated our systems,” said Schultz. “Now you’ll see exactly what you’re paying before you click ‘Buy.’”
Concert Lineup Nearly Finalized
While most of the grandstand schedule is set, a few slots — including the Tuesday night of fair week — remain open. Schultz hinted that those announcements may depend on tour routing changes for available acts.
“We don’t want to just fill the night for the sake of it,” he said. “We’re working to bring something exciting — but it has to make sense for us and the fans.”