Both the Iowa and Illinois State fairs begin next weekend, with Kelly Clarkson and Heart among the acts taking the grandstand stage in both Des Moines and Springfield.

Clarkson, the first "American Idol" winner in 2001, performs at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 22, and at the Illinois State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Classic rockers Heart, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, play in Des Moines on Sunday, Aug. 23, as an opening act for Journey, and in Springfield - with The Bangles as the opening act - the previous night.

Also in the grandstand at Des Moines are contemporary Christian acts Steven Curtis Chapman and Jeremy Camp, on Thursday, Aug. 13; country singers Gary Allan and Chuck Wicks, Friday, Aug. 14; classic rocker Peter Frampton, with the Gin Blossoms, Saturday, Aug. 15; country stars Big & Rich, with Candy Coburn, Sunday, Aug. 16; Poison lead singer Bret Michaels, with Jackyl, Monday, Aug. 17; rockers Shinedown and Rev Theory, Thursday, Aug. 20; and country stars Brooks & Dunn, with Jamey Johnson, Friday, Aug. 21.

Springfield headliners are classic rock act Lynyrd Skynyrd, with Bo Bice, Friday, Aug. 14; a country triple bill of Josh Turner, Jamey Johnson and Chuck Wicks, Saturday, Aug. 15; and a country four-pack of Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, James Otto and Candy Coburn, Sunday, Aug. 16.

For more information on the Iowa State Fair, go to IowaStateFair.org on the Web; for the Illinois State Fair, visit www.agr.state.il.us/isf/.