Springfield, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY) – Grammy-winning reggae icon Ziggy Marley will perform at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Tuesday, August 18, offering fairgoers nearly four decades of award-winning music and uplifting messages.
The eldest son of legendary musicians Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley has built his own career blending reggae with soul, rock, funk, and global rhythms, while promoting themes of love, justice, resilience, and optimism. Known for hits such as “Tomorrow People,” “True To Myself,” and “Beach in Hawaii,” Marley’s newest album, Brightside, explores perseverance and hope in challenging times. He also produced the 2024 biopic Bob Marley: One Love and performed the theme song for PBS’s Arthur.
“Part of what makes the Illinois State Fair so special is the variety of entertainment we’re able to bring to fairgoers each year,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. “Ziggy Marley is an exciting addition to this year’s schedule.”
In addition to his music, Marley is active in humanitarian work through his nonprofit URGE, supporting education, healthcare, and community programs in Jamaica, Africa, and North America. Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark added, “Reggae is not something we’ve featured often on the Grandstand stage, which makes this concert really unique.”
Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster, with prices ranging from $40 to $105. A $30 pre-show party ticket is also available. The 2026 Illinois State Fair runs August 13 through August 23 in Springfield.
