The sounds of classic rock will roll through the Big Fresno Fair come October as Kansas and Starship featuring Michey Thomas will perform.

And the cherry on that chart-topping sundae might be a performance by Ashanti.

The Kansas/Starship double-bill will be Wednesday, Oct. 7, with tickets starting at $45.

R&B Night Out With Ashanti and Soul for Real will reverberate through the Paul Paul Theater two nights later. Tickets for this event start at $41.

In addition, Christian music will come to the fair on Tuesday, Oct. 13, as Caleb & John perform with Matt Maher. Those tickets start at $15 and are on sale now.

“From classic rock legends and R&B favorites to rising Christian artists, this year’s Table Mountain Concert Series truly offers something for everyone,” Christina Estrada, CEO of The Big Fresno Fair, said in a statement. “We’re excited to add these talented performers to an already incredible lineup.”

Ticket Sales

Kansas with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas and R&B Night Out shows will go on sale first to Big Fair Fan Club members, the fair’s free email newsletter, as part of an online-only pre-sale starting on Monday, June 15, 10 a.m. through Sunday, June 21 , 11:59 p.m.

Tickets go on sale to the general public (online-only) beginning Monday, June 22, at 10 a.m. The fair box office opens Aug. 17 for in-person ticket purchases.

Other Acts in the Big Fresno Fair Lineup

Rock band Bush is set for Oct. 15, with tickets starting at $45, followed by country singer Russell Dickerson on Oct. 16, also starting at $45.

The series will close out this round of announcements with regional Mexican group Los Tigres del Norte on Oct. 18, where tickets start at $39.

The latest additions build on previously announced acts Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Tower of Power and WAR, Iration, and Diplo.

More on the Fair’s Newest Acts

Here is a look at the performers provided by the Big Fresno Fair:

Kansas: The band from Topeka has sold over 30 million albums since their 1974 debut. Their iconic hits “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” remain among the most recognizable songs in classic rock history. The band’s success includes three sextuple-platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of Kansas) and over 200 weeks on Billboard charts in the ’70s and ’80s. Their influence spans films, TV, and video games.

Mickey Thomas: Renowned for his soaring and soulful voice, his career took off in 1976 with the mega-hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” with The Elvin Bishop Band. In 1979, Mickey joined Jefferson Starship, recording iconic tracks like “Jane,” “No Way Out,” “Find Your Way Back,” “Stranger” and “Layin’ It on the Line.” When the group rebranded as Starship in 1985, they achieved global success with three No. 1 hits: “We Built This City,” “Sara” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” 

Ashanti: The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actor and author rose to fame with her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, “Ashanti.” The album debuted at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 and R&B Albums charts, becoming the fastest-selling female debut album in Soundscan history.  She was named one of Billboard’s “Top Females of the Decade (2000–2010)” and remains the only artist to chart on the Hot 100 in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. To date, Ashanti has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

Soul for Real: The sibling R&B vocal quartet rose to fame in the 1990s with their soulful hits “Candy Rain” and “Every Little Thing I Do.” Brothers Jason, Brian, Dre and Chris Dalyrimple honed their craft singing together in church before signing with Uptown Records. Their breakthrough came in 1994 with the Heavy D-produced single “Candy Rain,” which topped the U.S. R&B chart and reached No. 2 on the pop charts. The following year, their debut album, Candy Rain, was released and went platinum, featuring “Candy Rain” and “Every Little Thing I Do.”

Caleb & John: Following the breakout success of “Hallelujah Feeling,” which climbed to No. 3 on Christian radio, the duo recently earned their first No. 1 hit with “Somebody Like Me,” along with two K-LOVE Fan Award nominations and viral success across social media. Their latest single, “Finished,” is an uplifting anthem reminding listeners that God’s work in us is never done. Though Caleb, a pastor’s kid and classically trained musician, and John, a self-taught guitarist, come from different musical backgrounds, their blend of infectious melodies, authentic faith and high-energy performances has struck a chord with audiences across the country.