Eight finalists chosen for Dixon May Fair's Battle of the Bands

 (Originally published in the 3/31/16 edition)

  The Dixon May Fair will be holding its first Battle of the Bands since 1977 and will feature some of the most promising bands in the Solano/Yolo/Sacramento area.

   After sifting through many demos from various entires, fair officials were able to settle on eight groups. The lucky artists to be selected were Sacramento alternative rock band Average League, Sacramento indie rock group Epsilona, Folsom hard rock band Heat of Damage, Davis Americana group The Nickel Slots, Vacaville alternative hard rock band They Went Ghost, Auburn avant garde indie rock group Trikome, Galt alternative rock band Some Fear None and Elk Grove alternative hard rock group Screwloose.

   “It is truly amazing the caliber of bands that entered the competition,” Fair CEO Patricia Conklin said in a statement. “We have bands that have been recognized with awards, opened for national recording artists and offer unique new sounds and exceptional vocals.”

   All bands will be performing on Friday, May 6 starting at 6 p.m. on the Picnic Stage. The winner will receive a $3,000 grand prize and will be automatically entered into the finals of the San Diego Battle of the Bands to be held in June. They will also receive a $2,000 travel stipend to compete in San Diego and a spot in the California State Fair to be held in Sacramento in July.

   The Dixon May Fair will be held from Thursday, May 5 to Sunday, May 8 at the Dixon Fairgrounds, located at 655 S First St. Other performers will include country singer Buck Ford, Beatles tribute band Hey Jude and “The Voice” contestant Lyndey Elm. There will also be a car show, a junior dog show, a demolition derby, a tractor pull and much more. For information on tickets, visit DixonMayFair.com.