Country music star Aaron Tippin will perform Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Town and Country?Days.

Town and Country Days, Wetzel County’s annual week-long fair, kicked off Monday evening with a night of pomp and pageantry.

The prince and princess contest was held at 5 p.m. with Haley Stillwagoner of New Martinsville crowned the princess and Isaac Voorhis of New Martinsville as prince. Runners up were Kimberly Burch of Sistersville and Derrick Day of Middlebourne.

The opening ceremonies officially welcomed all to the fair while last year’s queen, McKenzie Bucher cut the ribbon on “Almost Heaven 2011 at Town and Country Days”. The evening’s stage events were complete with four pageants including the queen contest where Holli Schell was victorious. She will be seen this week throughout the fairgrounds, located approximately three miles east of New Martinsville on state Route 7.

Country music star Aaron Tippin will be the week-long fair’s grand finale. The country music star will 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.

The Town and Country Days queen’s court is pictured above. Front row from left: Little Miss Jazlyn Ingold, Pre Teen Queen Megan Brown, Little Miss First Runner Up Kyndra Pilant, and Pre Teen Queen Runner Up Jessa Dudgeon. Back row: Queen Third Runner Up Anna Haught, Queen Second Runner Up and Miss Congeniality Megan Bucher, Queen First Runner Up Hannah Boughner, Queen and Most Photogenic Holli Schell, Teen Queen Joanna Graham, and Teen Queen First Runner Up Jasmine Litman.

Tippin has crusaded for the working man and woman since he ripped country music wide open in 1990 with his uncompromising “You’ve Got To Stand For Something.” On the strength of that remarkable song, comedian Bob Hope invited Tippin to appear with him when he toured the Mideast to entertain the troops of Desert Storm. Tippin has been a favorite of–and a standby for–America’s fighting forces ever since.

Tippin’s honest lyrics and direct, impassioned vocals have built a large and devoted audience. His appearance at Town and Country Days will surely add more to his fan base.

Another country hit maker to grace the stage will by 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”.

Other remaining stage highlights include Titus Canbe Band and Midnight Special Band on Wednesday and the talent show on Thursday.

The Town and Country Days queen’s court is pictured above. Front row from left: Little Miss Jazlyn Ingold, Pre Teen Queen Megan Brown, Little Miss First Runner Up Kyndra Pilant, and Pre Teen Queen Runner Up Jessa Dudgeon. Back row: Queen Third Runner Up Anna Haught, Queen Second Runner Up and Miss Congeniality Megan Bucher, Queen First Runner Up Hannah Boughner, Queen and Most Photogenic Holli Schell, Teen Queen Joanna Graham, and Teen Queen First Runner Up Jasmine Litman.

“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: 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 visit townandcountrydays.org‘>townandcountrydays.org.