Farm Aid Returns to Illinois

By Julene McCoy in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 11, 2005 5:46PM

20 years after the first Farm Aid concert occurred in Champaign, Illinois the concert is coming back to our fair state on September 18th at the Tweeter Center. So far the usual Farm Aid players are confirmed: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellancamp, and Dave Matthews. Wilco has also been slated. Tickets for the fundraising concert go on sale July 30th at 10 a.m. A contest from Organic Valley for free tickets is going on through July 31st.

There will also be several events around the city to complete Farm Aid Week. There's the County Fair at the Garfield Conservatory on September 17th, possible small-venue performances from the bands, the release of Farm Aid's book, "FARM AID: A Song for America", educational events, and a film festival. The Chicago-area farmers markets will also be showcased because Farm Aid has been a strong advocate for getting us on the "good food" bandwagon and believe that farmers markets are a great way to learn about local farmers and how they can use sustainable agriculture and more humane procedures than big corporate farms.

Farm Aid has raised over $27 million for the family farmer since its inception in 1985.