The theme for this year’s premiere Wetzel County festival, “Almost Heaven 2011 at Town and Country Days” will surely be true based on the lineup of events the committee has planned Aug. 15-20.

Country music star Aaron Tippin will headline the week-long affair, serving as the stage finale when he steps into the spotlight at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, with the Johnny Staats Band opening at 7 p.m.

Aaron Tippin has charted more than 30 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs including several number ones such as: “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio”, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You”, and “Kiss This”. Following Sept. 11, 2001, he released the political composition “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly”, which became a theme for soldiers fighting overseas.

Another country hit maker to grace the stage will be Marty Raybon on Friday at 8:30 p.m., preceded by the Ebert Brothers at 7 p.m. While Raybon’s name may not be instantly recognizable, his chart topping songs are.

As the founder and lead singer of Shenandoah, a popular country band from 1989 to 1996, Raybon recorded “If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)”, “I Want To Be Loved Like That”, “Next To You, Next To Me”, “Two Dozen Roses”, and “Butterfly Kisses”.

His remarkable list of career accomplishments including multiple number one singles, top selling albums, CMA, ACM, IBMA, and Grammy Awards, along with scores of other accolades. Among his contemporaries, he is considered to possess one the purest natural country voices in the business. Country music star Josh Turner says, “Marty is one of the best soul singers in music. He gets inside a song and turns it inside out. When you listen to him sing, he makes every word sound important and makes you feel as though he is singing straight to you. I love everything he’s done. He’s a great singer, a great artist, and a great man.” Grammy Award winning Christian artist Jason Crabb says that Raybon has “one of the greatest voices to ever sing, with a tear in his voice that will just melt you.”

Other stage highlights include the regionally popular Davisson Brothers Band preceded by the George Shingleton Band on Tuesday; Titus Canbe Band and Midnight Special Band on Wednesday; talent show on Thursday; and pageants on Monday.

“This year we have strived to make this fair the most entertaining ever, with a good variety for everyone to enjoy,” said Lonnie Blake, president, Town and Country Day’s Inc. “Your suggestions for the future are always welcome, so please let us know what you would like to see more of and perhaps, when feasible, it may become future years’ attractions. We encourage you to tell your friends and family about all the fun you have at our county fair.”

Of course Town and Country Days is much more than just stage entertainment. The track offers great events each night: Monday, demolition derby; Tuesday, youth motorcross; Wednesday, adult motorcross; Thursday, 4×4 truck pulls; Friday, mud bog; and Saturday, ATV and motorcycle drag races.

Daily there are commercial, home, livestock, and produce exhibits; Bingo, The Grandpa Cratchet Show (puppets); and drawing for prizes; as well as carnival rides and games by Deshler Amusements, which are included with the price of admission. Admission is $8 per day for age five and up. Season passes are available for $30.

For a schedule of events see the advertisement on this page and for more information visit townandcountrydays.org‘>townandcountrydays.org.