Each fall the Cumming Country Fair and Festival brings the city and Forsyth County its biggest concerts of the year, and 2016 will be no exception.

The Charlie Daniels Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Lonestar will each headline a night of this year’s annual fair. Dave Horton, fairgrounds administrator, said the 10-day event is great chance to see national acts for a fraction of the price.

“The concerts are free; it’s just admission to the fair,” he said. “So you pay $7 to get in the fair, and you’re seeing a band that would normally cost you at a ticketed event anywhere from $25-$50.”

The fair, located at 235 Castleberry Road just south of downtown Cumming, runs Oct. 6-16, with bands performing under the large covered arena. Seating and standing room is available on the ground, and there are bleachers on both sides.

Classic rockers The Atlanta Rhythm Section will kick off music at the festival and “bring that Georgia rhythm” on Friday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

Horton said this is the first time the band has been tapped for the fair in more than a decade.

“Of course, they’re local; most of those boys came out of Doraville [also the name of one of the band’s hits] back in the day,” Horton said. “We had them in ’04 and figured it was time to have them back.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. Lonestar — whose country hits include “Mr. Mom,” “Amazed” “My Front Porch Looking In” — will perform at the fair for the first time.

“Lonestar we tried to get a few years ago, but weren’t able to. Then they got too expensive for us,” Horton said. “I’m excited about being able to bring them in for the first time.”

Coming back “down to Georgia” on Thursday Oct. 13 is the Charlie Daniels Band, which the fair tries to feature every other year. Horton said this year has special significance.

“He’s kind of our adopted, native son here,” he said. “We have him on the 13th, and on Oct. 16 in Nashville, he’ll be accepted into the County Music Hall of Fame, so that’s a big deal. I’m sure his group is real proud of that honor.”

Horton said booking bands typically starts as soon as the previous year’s fair is over and takes tour schedules, releases and the popularity of the artists into consideration.

“There’s a lot of variables, a lot of factors you have to consider,” Horton said.

For a full schedule of events coming to the fair, visit CummingFair.net.