Although the Washington Parish Free Fair is still months away, the stage committee is excited to announce several of the live acts that will be performing during fair week on Wednesday, Oct. 17, and Thursday, Oct. 18.

Wednesday Night acts on the main stage are traditionally in the gospel genre, and 2018’s line-up will not disappoint. Performers on the first full day of the fair include The Canton Spirituals from Canton, Miss., and Triumphant Quartet.

The Thursday night headliner will be multi-platinum country music entertainer Sara Evans.

Sara Evans

Washington Parish Free Fair Stage Committee chairman Dr. Chip McVea is pleased to announce that Evans will headline the 2018 fair, appearing on the main stage Thursday night, Oct. 18.

Evans, a native of Booneville, Mo., and resident of Birmingham, Ala., with husband Jay Barker, has had five No. 1 singles, sold millions of records, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist Award and claimed a Country Music Association trophy for her signature song, “Born To Fly.”

Her show will feature songs from her recently released album Words along with hits from her first seven CD offerings. Words is the first project on Evans’ own label: Born To Fly Records, appropriately named after that CMA-winning signature song which celebrated risk and adventure.

Evans began singing with the family band when she was 5 years old, and made her first attempts at recording as a teenager, committing to a creative path with her move to Nashville, Tenn., in 1991. Her resume now includes 14 Top 20 country hits, ranging from her reassuring first number one single — “No Place That Far,” featuring background vocals by Vince Gill — to the neo-traditional “Suds In The Bucket” to the elegant, spiky pop feel of “Slow Me Down.”

In addition to a prolific country music career, Evans has been honored for her philanthropic work and in 2018 was presented the NAB Education Foundation’s

Service to America Leadership Award. A Red Cross ambassador, Sara received the national Crystal Cross award for her work with the disaster-relief organization and recently raised more than $10,000 for CMA Foundation and music education from the sale of her ONEHope Sara Evans Signature Series 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Evans will take the main stage at 8:30 p.m. The announcement of Thursday’s opening acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Canton Spirituals

The Canton Spirituals has remained arguably one of the top gospel music quartets in the country. They represent the best of the past and present in gospel music, and they put their heart and soul into their music. The group has become loved and admired not only because of their ability to sell their music, but also to sing gospel effectively, change lives and people’s views on life, and, most importantly, spread the story of Jesus and the things he does for them and what he can do everyone else.

Triumphant Quartet

Triumphant Quartet began performing in 2003. Their smooth harmonies and rich sound has helped them gain national attention. They have been voted “Fan Favorite Quartet” in the gospel music field for the last nine years, and have had six No. 1 songs. They have received four album of the year awards, as well as three song of the year awards. Audiences will find themselves smiling, laughing, crying and encouraged and uplifted, having had the gospel message presented in a powerful way.