Battle of the Bands to begin Grandstand Show on August 19 at Steele County Fair

The annual Battle of the Bands will open the evening grandstand entertainment on August 19 at the Steele County Fair in Owatonna. That will be followed by Drop Tailgate and Lost Highway.

The Battle of the Bands will begin at 5:30PM on Wednesday August 19. Interested in bands can find an application form on the fair's website, or at the office on the fairgrounds. The first six bands to sign up will get the chance to compete for the $500 cash prize. The winning band will also have a chance at additional bookings. Bands do not have to be based in Steele County. Judges and audience reaction will be used to determine the winning entry.

2014 was the first time the battle was held in the grandstand. Space to accommodate fans at other locations on the fairgrounds had become a challenge. Officials were pleased with the reaction and turnout at the event.

Following the Battle of the Bands, a concert at 8PM will feature Drop Tailgate Band and Lost Highway. Drop Tailgate has Owatonna native Travis Thamert as a member. Lost Highway is a southern Minnesota based band and has played at the fair in previous years.

As of July 9 there are just 3 openings left.