The South Dakota State Fair has added another major name to its 2026 grandstand lineup. Country star Jake Owen will take the stage Sunday, September 6, bringing a catalog of easygoing hits that have defined modern country radio for more than a decade.
Fair officials say Owen’s music fits the spirit of a late-summer night at the fairgrounds.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Jake Owen take the stage at this year’s South Dakota State Fair,” said Peggy Besch, manager of the South Dakota State Fairgrounds. “Jake’s music has such a fun, feel-good spirit, and his concerts create the kind of memories people talk about for years.”
A Country Star Built on Feel-Good Anthems
Owen has become one of country music’s most recognizable voices. His career includes ten No. 1 singles, multiple gold and platinum records, and more than 2.5 billion on-demand streams in the United States.
His breakthrough came in 2011 with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” a laid-back anthem that quickly climbed the charts and helped introduce Owen’s relaxed, coastal style to country audiences. The song remains one of his most popular tracks and still shows up regularly in summer playlists and festival setlists.
He followed that success with a steady stream of radio hits including “Alone With You,” “Anywhere With You,” “Beachin’,” and “The One That Got Away.” Each helped cement his reputation for songs that capture warm weather, road trips, and the kind of carefree moments country fans love to sing along to.
From Florida Golf Course to Nashville
Owen’s path to country music wasn’t a straight line.
Born Joshua Ryan Owen in Florida, he originally pursued a career in professional golf. While attending Florida State University, a wakeboarding accident left him with injuries that forced him to give up the sport competitively. During his recovery, he picked up a guitar and began learning to write songs.
That unexpected turn eventually led him to Nashville, where his songwriting and easygoing stage presence quickly caught the attention of record labels. His debut album Startin’ With Me arrived in 2006, beginning a career that has stretched nearly two decades.
New Music and Life Beyond the Stage
Owen has released ten studio albums over the course of his career, including his most recent project Dreams to Dream, co-produced with Shooter Jennings. Earlier this year he launched the Dreams to Dream Tour, performing in cities including Washington, D.C., York, Pennsylvania, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Des Moines, Iowa.
Beyond performing, Owen has expanded his role in the music industry. He is a partner in Nashville-based Good Company Entertainment and the founder of The Jake Owen Foundation, a charity that provides financial support to children facing life-threatening and catastrophic illnesses.
A Big Night at the Fair
The September 6 concert adds another major name to the 2026 South Dakota State Fair grandstand lineup.
Owen joins previously announced entertainment including the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash and Nate Smith, welcomed by Pioneer.
The 2026 South Dakota State Fair begins on Channel Seeds Opening Day, Wednesday, September 2, and runs through Monday, September 7 in Huron.
Ticket presale for backrest signage holders and Friends of the Fair runs from May 11 through May 14. Tickets open to the general public at 8 a.m. CT on May 19.
Additional ticket details and pricing are available at sdstatefair.com.
