Not in Herre: Rapper Nelly cancels Allegan County Fair two hours after showtime

Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel
·2 min read
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ALLEGAN — One of the Allegan County Fair’s headlining acts turned out to be a major disappointment for concertgoers over the weekend.

After months of anticipation and hours spent waiting in line and in the venue, ticketholders were informed Nelly's concert had been canceled Saturday, Sept. 9. The show — slated to start at 7 p.m. — wasn't called off until around 9:30 p.m.

A photo of Nelly performing at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus on Saturday, July 30, 2022.
A photo of Nelly performing at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus on Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Rumors abound about why Nelly didn't take the stage, but Allegan County Fair Executive Director Saree Miller said the artist's plane was grounded by poor weather, adding the fair wasn't informed until "very late in the evening."

“Tonight, we had an incident that no venue ever wants to experience,” the statement read.

Multiple attempts by The Sentinel to reach Miller before deadline on Monday were unsuccessful.

Nelly, known for hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Country Grammar,” was announced as a headliner for the fair in May, with Trea Landon as his opening act. Landon did perform at the fair Saturday, and reportedly told concertgoers Nelly was backstage.

This isn't the first Nelly concert canceled recently. According to The Shreveport Times, shows with Snoop Dogg, Nelly and the Ying Yang Twins were canceled Aug. 16 and 17 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Bossier City, Louisiana.

Nelly also canceled shows in January 2022 in Minnesota and Virginia, in October 2021 in Oklahoma City, in February 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina, and in August 2021 in Normal, Illinois. Reasons cited for those cancellations were either unclear or "due to unforeseen circumstances."

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Tickets for Saturday's event purchased through Etix or through the fair on a charge card will be automatically refunded. All other ticketholders can contact the fair office at 888-673-6501 from Sept. 20-30 for a refund.

The Allegan County Fair continues through Saturday, Sept. 16. Upcoming events include a performance by comedian Steve Trovino on Thursday and a concert by Riley Green and Drake Milligan on Friday. Both events are at 7:30 p.m.

Visit allegancountyfair.com for more information.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Not in Herre: Rapper Nelly cancels Allegan County Fair two hours after showtime