LYNDEN - Loretta Lynn has canceled her Northwest Washington Fair appearance set for Thursday, Aug. 18, because she's having knee surgery.

She will be replaced by Tanya Tucker, another country entertainer who had her first hit while in her early teens. Tucker is known for several country songs including "Delta Dawn" and "What's Your Mama's Name." She had three No. 1 country singles in 1988.

People who have already purchased tickets to see Lynn will have the option of getting a refund or using the ticket to see Tucker, said Jim Baron, fair manager.

Lynn, 76, is scheduled to undergo reconstructive knee surgery and needs time to recover. She said in a statement she's sad to cancel the shows, "but they tell me I've just got to stay off this knee for a while."

A local icon, Lynn lived in Whatcom County for 11 years and won ribbons at the Lynden fair, where she later performed in 1974, 1982 and 1998. The outspoken singer's career has spanned five decades and included close musical relationships with people as diverse as Patsy Cline and Jack White of the White Stripes. She won a 2005 Grammy with White for her album, "Van Lear Rose."

Her early career and her marriage at the age of 13 were depicted in the Oscar-winning film "Coal Miner's Daughter" in 1980.

All of Lynn's shows through Sept. 3 have been canceled. She also had to cancel an Ohio concert last month after she was hospitalized due to extreme dehydration.

To make a ticket exchange or for a refund, call the Northwest Washington Fair office at 360-354-4111. Or you can go to the fair office, 1775 Front St. in Lynden.