Summer may still feel several thaws away, but many of your favorite Milwaukee summer traditions are already getting ready for fun in the sun – from the Brewers to Summerfest and now the Wisconsin State Fair, which announced its first three Main Stage headlining acts for 2020: Christian rockers Skillet, country star Chris Young and classic surf rock band The Beach Boys.

Skillet, along with opening acts Colton Dixon and Ledger, will open the annual Sconnie celebration on Thursday, Aug. 6. Since forming in 1996, the band's mix of metal sound and inspirational lyrics – not to mention near-constant touring schedule, which last year brought them to the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard for Summerfest – has made them one of the more popular acts in the Christian music genre. The band's released ten albums – most recently "Victorious," released last August – across its almost 25-year career and earned two Grammy nominations over that time for Best Rock Gospel Album in 2005 and 2007 for "Collide" and "Comatose," respectively.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show – all reserved – will cost $29 and $39.

Country will take over the Main Stage the next night with Chris Young headlining day two of State Fair on Friday, Aug. 7. Over his country career, Young's scored eleven number-one hit singles – including "Voices," "Hangin' On," "Losing Sleep" and likely more to come with a new album planned for release later this year. He also landed a place in recent Milwaukee music history as the first country act to play at Fiserv Forum back in 2018. 

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show – all reserved – will cost $49 and $54.

Finally, the iconic Beach Boys will return to the State Fair Main Stage on Saturday, Aug. 15. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers created some of the most influential and recognizable tracks and albums in music history, from the light and poppy beach beats of "Surfin' U.S.A." and "I Get Around" to the experimental energy of "Pet Sounds." Overall, the band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide as well as charted 36 songs in the U.S. Top 40 chart, the most from a U.S. rock band.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show – all reserved – will cost $30, $35 and $40.

Admission for all three shows (which include fair admission) go on sale Friday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. at the Wisconsin State Fair's website as well as in person at the State Fair ticket office. The office, at 7722 W. Greenfield Ave. in West Allis, is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

And stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more summer festival announcements as they become available.