Phil Vassar performs at the 2010 Stagecoach Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 24, 2010 in Indio, California. Vassar is the first headliner to be announced for this year's State Fair in Escanaba. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)

ESCANABA — The Upper Peninsula State Fair has announced GRAMMY‒nominated singer‒songwriter Phil Vassar as a 2026 Grandstand headliner. Vassar will take the stage Wednesday, Aug. 19, delivering a night of powerhouse piano‒driven country hits and timeless storytelling.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Vassar is celebrated for his string of chart‒topping singles, elite songwriting catalog, and high‒energy live performances that connect generations of fans. Known for blending heartfelt lyrics with infectious melodies, his shows feature the songs audiences know and love, delivered with authenticity and fun.

Best known for the iconic hit “Just Another Day in Paradise,” Vassar has built a remarkable career that includes 10 number one hits, 27 Top 40 singles, nine albums, and accolades such as Country Songwriter of the Year by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music Awards. His songwriting credits extend beyond his own recordings, with hits written for country legends including Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina, and Collin Raye.

Currently touring in celebration of the 25th anniversary of “Just Another Day in Paradise,” Vassar continues to electrify audiences with performances that mix his biggest hits, deep catalog favorites, and classic covers from artists like Billy Joel and Elton John.

Tickets for the fair concert go on sale Tuesday, April 14. General admission seating is included with paid gate admission, with limited Gold Circle seating available for purchase at UPStateFair.net.

The 2026 U.P. State Fair Grandstand series is presented by the Island Resort & Casino.