LYNDEN - Christian rock band MercyMe has canceled its concert Wednesday, Aug. 17, at the Northwest Washington Fair because of a death in lead singer Bart Millard's family.
It was the second grandstand musical act to cancel at the Lynden fair this year.
MercyMe will be replaced by Newsboys, a Christian pop rock band. People who have tickets for the MercyMe show may use them for Newsboys show or get a refund.
Millard's cousin - 41-year-old Lt. Todd Krodle, a Dallas firefighter - was killed Sunday, Aug. 14, after falling through the roof of a burning apartment building in southwest Dallas, according to TV station WFAA.com.
"My heart aches so bad I can barely breathe. My cousin, basically my brother, died in the line of duty as a Dallas firefighter tonight," Millard wrote on Twitter.
"We're sorry for what's happening to MercyMe," said Jim Baron, fair manager. "It's unfortunate, and unfortunate for the fans who wanted to hear them."
Newsboys are not new to the fair, having performed there in 2008.
"People that were there will want to come back just because it was a great concert," Baron said.
Newsboys are the second replacement act for this year's fair.
Country music legend Loretta Lynn, who has connections to Whatcom County, canceled her appearance set for Thursday, Aug. 18, because she was having knee surgery.
Lynn will be replaced by Tanya Tucker, another country entertainer who had her first hit while in her early teens.
"This is my eighth year as a fair manager," Baron said. "Prior to this year, we have not had a single cancellation. To have two in one year is highly unusual. It's just the way the cards fall sometimes."
Lynn lived in Whatcom County for 11 years and won ribbons at the Lynden fair, where she later performed in 1974, 1982 and 1998.
People who want to use their MercyMe tickets to see Newsboys don't have to do anything.
For a refund, call the Northwest Washington Fair office at 360-354-4111. Or go to the fair office, 1775 Front St. in Lynden.
Tickets still are available for the concert for $35 each (includes fair admission); go to the fair office or nwwafair.com.
