This year’s Grandstand events at the Iowa State Fair have a lot to offer to a wide range of audiences, including a distinct palette for fans of country, pop and rock, organizers say.

“This year is one of the best because of the diversity of the people performing here,” says Gary Slater, manager and CEO of the Iowa State Fair. “It’s not all country like it was 10 years ago — now we offer contemporary, country and old rock.”

To get the marquee performers the Iowa State Fair organizers wanted, they turned to Triangle Talent in Louisville, Ky.

“We submit names of different artists to Gary Slater, the manager of Iowa State Fair, and he tells us who he would like to perform there,” says Dave Snowden, representative from Triangle Talent. “Then we bid to the artists, and they decide whether or not the fair is somewhere they want to perform.”

Snowden said when deciding on artists, they consider a wide range of factors such as nation-wide ticket sales, recording sales and which artists receive the most radio play.

“I think the big draw this year is Lisa Marie Presley,” Snowden says. “A lot of people want to see the King’s daughter and get a feel for her music.”

The Iowa State Fair is known to positively promote their Grandstand shows and also are able to pay the competitive rate due to the success of past Grandstand events, Snowden said.

“This year is a little different because not as many acts are touring because of low ticket sales,” he says. “But this hasn’t affected the Iowa State Fair — and people will get to see that this summer.”

On Aug. 7, Kenny Chesney will be returning to the Iowa State Fair. Chesney’s show last year was sold out, though there are still just less than 2,000 tickets still available.

“This year we paid twice as much for Chesney to perform here,” Slater says. “We also had to raise the ticket price about three dollars because of this, but right now it’s our best seller.”

The fair is also showcasing two nights of contemporary music this year.

On Aug. 10, Uncle Kracker and Everclear will perform, followed by the Goo Goo Dolls and Lisa Marie Presley, who will be performing the next night.

“We’ve got shows I think are going to please people,” Slater says. “Up-and-coming entertainers like Presley will do their best to put on a good show.”

“Everclear and Uncle Kracker just rock the stage and have a good time,” Slater says. “Chesney is just a good performer anytime someone goes to see him. Montgomery Gentry is someone the country fans will want to watch out for as well.”

Crosby and Stills & Nash will add the old rock flavor to the Fair when they perform on Aug. 15. Boston will also be performing on Aug. 16.

“I’m personally excited about Boston performing,” Slater says. “They were popular when I was in high school. It’s nice for the fair to be able to provide a wide range of performers to its audiences.”