Arts & Entertainment

Farm Aid 2018 to Be Celebrated in Hartford

Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews headline an all-day lineup of superb music to benefit America's farmers.

HARTFORD, CT — Four of the biggest names in music are bringing their annual collaborative charitable extravaganza to Connecticut's capital city this fall, as Farm Aid 2018 will take place at the XFINITY Theatre in Hartford on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Each year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host a Farm Aid festival to bring together a wide variety of artists, farmers and fans for one mission: keeping family farmers on the land. Farm Aid is an all-day festival that brings together incredible music, good food and hands-on activities to get folks in touch with the roots of our food, according to the Farm Aid web site.

"Family farmers are the backbone of our country," Nelson said. "But today, they are endangered. Whether we live in cities like Hartford or the rural areas of New England, each of us has the power to create positive, lasting change in our farm and food system and strengthen farm families to help them stay on the land for generations to come."

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Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $53 million to help family farmers thrive all over the country while inspiring millions of people to take part in the Good Food Movement.

The festival features performances by all four board members, with Matthews being joined by Tim Reynolds. A strong lineup of supporting artists includes Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and Particle Kid.

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Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, June 29, starting at 10 a.m. via www.livenation.com. Information about VIP tickets and exclusive packages is available here.

File photo credit: Tim Jensen

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