Nelly, Lainey Wilson, Fluffy Iglesias to headline Delaware State Fair 2023

The Delaware State Fair turns 104 this week, and it’s throwing a birthday celebration featuring rappers Nelly, Vanilla Ice, hot country stars Lainey Wilson, Tyler Hubbard and other big entertainers.

The fair begins Thursday, July 20, and goes on to Saturday, July 29.

Bear in mind fair admission is separate from the ticket fee to see headline performances by artists like Nelly on the M&T Bank Grandstand.  

Here's a look at all the headliners coming to the state fair:

Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias tickles Harrington

Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias might be the cuddliest comedian in the world. This jolly giant is coming back to Harrington this summer with more foolishness. Fluffy, who headlined the Delaware State Fair in 2017, has over 20 million followers across his social media platforms. He also has more than 1 billion views on his YouTube channel.

The comedian's ability to dish up clean while still making all ages laugh has separated him from the pack. Fluffy will squeeze big laughs out of the audience when he returns to the Small Wonder.

Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 20. Tickets are $40-$70 (plus service fee). Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269. 

Nelly can't stay away from Delaware

It seems like it was just last year that Grammy-winning rapper Nelly performed in Delaware. Because it was.

Nelly’s coming back this summer for a trifecta: his third straight concert in the state since the pandemic began.   

The “Hot in Herre” rapper began playing consecutive years in Delaware when he was tapped to make his debut at the Firefly Music Festival in The Woodlands of Dover in 2021.

The Firefly crowd fell in love with Nelly’s “Country Grammar.” But that wasn’t enough for them. Delaware fans wanted to see him do more stomping in his “Air Force Ones.”

So last July, Nelly returned to Delaware and held it down at the state fair.

A lot of fans on social media have been gushing over his upcoming show, especially since some folks weren't able to make it last year.

Singer Chase McDaniel is opening the show.

7:30 p.m. Friday, July 21. Tickets are $34-$74 (plus service fee).

Jimmie Allen playing Dewey Beach show: Tickets go on sale July 21

Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc and other rappers on tap

The “I Love the 90s Tour” features rappers Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, Color Me Badd, Tone Loc and Young MC. Vanilla Ice previously was tapped to play the state fair in 2021, but the show got canceled due to COVID-19. 

7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Tickets are $34 to $74 (plus service fee).  

Jackson Dean ropes Delaware State Fair

Maryland native Jackson Dean burst onto music the scene quickly, amassing a résumé many veterans would love to have. Dean has been on the same bill as country stars Brantley Gilbert, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Jake Owen and others, according to his official bio.

Some of Dean's standout tunes include "Don't Come Lookin'," "Trailer Park" and "Wings."

He'll be joined by special guest Nate Smith.

7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Tickets are $29 to $64 (plus fee).

Superstar Jimmie Allen: Country artist and 'BMF' stars to hoop in Delaware celebrity game. Here are ticket details

Riley Green dishes up country flavor

Not every music artist can say they recorded a song with their grandfathers, and even fewer artists can say they turned that into a two-time platinum hit.

That's why country star Riley Green's song "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" puts him in rare territory. That song is his most popular to date. Green grew up on Southern gospel, bluegrass and deep-fried country music.

The opener for Green's show is singer Chase McDaniel (reoccurring performer).

7:30 p.m. Monday, July 24. Tickets are $34 to $74 (plus fee).

Zach Williams takes Harrington to church

Christian artist Zach Williams has a stout songbook for his large fanbase, with tunes like "No Longer Slaves (Live)," "There Was Jesus," "Chain Breaker" and many others. The Arkansas-raised artist hit a home run with his 2017 debut album "Chain Breaker," earning him his first Grammy in 2017.

The trio Cain will open for Williams.

7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 25. Tickets are $29-$64 (plus fee).  

Lainey Wilson to charm local fans

Country star Lainey Wilson, known for her role on the Paramount network show "Yellowstone,'' will be joined by opener Kameron Marlowe. 

The actress and musician is a platinum-selling artist who was buzzing in January after a TikTok video of her performing in concert wearing leopard-print pants went viral.

On comedian Theo Von's podcast, the country star addressed her famous butt. 

"I get the width from my mama and the depth from my daddy," she said. "My daddy's got a ... he got a little booty on him." 

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26. Tickets are $39-$74 (plus fee).  

Harness racing is hot to trot

Considering the state fair always seems like it's held during the warmest week of summer, it's safe to say that harness racing will be hot to trot this year. The event is an annual fair tradition that breaks up the concert action, in favor of faithful steeds galloping for the gold.

7 p.m. Thursday, July 27. Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.  

Demolition Derby is a literal hit

It's long been said that some people enjoy NASCAR for its wrecks. Well, the Demolition Derby has turned that sort of carnage into a main-stage event. Rough riders will duke it out on four wheels like Transformers, minus the weapons. 

7 p.m. Friday, July 28. Tickets start at $18 (plus service fee).

Tyler Hubbard closes out state fair

Arena and stadium-touring country artist Tyler Hubbard is most famous for making up half of the Grammy-nominated duo Florida Georgia Line with Brian Kelley, a band that officially parted ways in September.

FGL, which headlined Harrington’s Delaware Junction Country Music Festival in 2015, has had one of the craziest runs in country music over the last decade.

Per the band’s bio, FGL is the first country act to achieve RIAA’s Diamond certification (10 million copies sold) and hold the longest reign on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart (50 straight weeks).

The band is responsible for the hits “This Is How We Roll,” “Cruise” and “Lil Bit.” 

Fans will get a taste of Hubbard’s solo career when he returns to Harrington, the country capital of Delaware.

Singer Megan Moroney will open the show.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Tickets are $39-$74 (plus service fee). Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269. 

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware State Fair opens Thursday with big stars from Nelly to Fluffy