MANSFIELD, Ohio — (UPDATED) The Willis Clan, one of the hottest names in country music, will perform at the Richland County Fairgrounds Thursday.
The show begins at 7 p.m. in Fairhaven Hall.
The 12-member band comprised of brothers and sisters hails from Nashville, Tennessee, where they regularly perform at the Grand Opry Hotel. The band received national acclaim after an appearance on the television show, America’s Got Talent.
The band has been touring around the country with its third album, Heaven, while simultaneously filming the second season for TLC’s reality show.
“We absolutely love Christmas,” said Brenda Willis, the mother of the group, who also plays guitar on stage with her children while her husband runs sound off-stage.
The Willis Clan has been on tour since the day after Thanksgiving, but this is the group’s first time visiting Mansfield.
“We have a few surprises for tomorrow. Even if it’s not a Christmas song, we make a Christmas song. Everybody just has a great time when it comes to the holiday season,” she said.
Jason Snyder, president of the Richland County Agricultural Society at the fairgrounds, said the show was an idea the board had over the summer to replace the annual, area-favorite Christmas Wunderland — a tradition of over 20 years.
Pieces, about 150 in all, of the Wunderland lights and the other original festive decorations went up for auction in April. Snyder said the decision was tough, but necessary because of the increasing cost and decreasing volunteer base to maintain the attraction.
“We looked at ($250,000) worth of stuff. We couldn’t, we can’t … I wouldn’t foresee us being able to do that (Christmas Wunderland) again,” said Snyder. “We wanted to have something for the community to come in and see a Christmas program. We thought it would be a good show.”
Snyder said the band will play half its hits — the rest will be devoted to playing Christmas songs. See below for the show’s setlist.
“It’s set up as a Christmas type show,” said Snyder.
He hopes the concert will become a new family holiday tradition with the proceeds supporting the fairgrounds.
According to the Richland County Fairgrounds, tickets are still available through the website, at their office or at the door for $20.
Visit here to enter for a chance to win family tickets to the show.
