Grand Ole Opry Member, Mark Wills, Coming to Dayton

Written By Publisher Bailey Hufstetler

Mark Wills, an award winning country music artist and member of the Grand Ole Opry, is coming to Dayton to be the headliner performer at the 78th Strawberry Festival. Wills has been in the country music arena since 1996, his first record label to be apart of was Mercury Records in Nashville.

In 1996, Wills released his self titled album with “Jacobs Ladder” being a single on that album. That single made it all the way to number 6 on the country music charts. Other singles such as “I Do (Cherish You)” and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” were on his second released album and reached number 2 on the country music charts which put him on the Billboard Hot 100.

“This years entertainment for Saturday night, May 10th, is none other that Mark Wills from the Grand Ole Opry,” Aaron Johnson, TN Strawberry Festival Entertainment Chair, announced in a video alongside the Festival Coordinators Molli Tallent and Mary Beth Norris.

“This is so exciting,” Molli Tallent stated.

This isn’t the first time that the Strawberry Festival has brought in well known artists to take the stage and headline the iconic Strawberry Festival. The Confederate Railroad, a well known country rock band, performed at last years festival. Emily Ann Roberts, 2nd place winner on The Voice, was the headliner performer in previous years as well.

Festival organizers took the opportunity during the video announcement to remind the community about the festival dates. They also wanted the community to be reminded that this years theme is “The Great Berry Debate,” to help highlight and go alongside the Scopes Monkey Trial.

The Strawberry Festival is still accepting submissions for this years T-Shirt design ideas. You have until November 30th to submit those designs. You can submit those submissions to the Dayton Chamber of Commerce through email: chamber@volstate.net, snail mail to 107 Main Street Dayton, TN 37321, or deliver it in person.