David Lindquist

david.lindquist@indystar.com

Miami-based rapper Pitbull ranks as the highest-paid music act at this year's Indiana State Fair.

The fair paid $300,000 for a Pitbull performance on Aug. 8 at the newly renovated Coliseum, an 8,200-capacity venue that hosted fair concerts for the first time since the 1980s. Country singer Hunter Hayes followed Pitbull on the pay chart, with $200,000 for an Aug. 9 show.

At the 5,000-capacity Free Stage, admission was included in the price of a fair ticket ($10, but cheaper if purchased in advance or discounted through a promotion). Concerts were programmed throughout the fair, and the 2014 event attracted 954,884 attendees across 17 days.

Most concert contracts are private, but the fair's are public record because the State of Indiana oversees the event.

The Star checked out the details for 23 shows. More than $1.3 million was paid to performers, who came to town with some colorful backstage requests:

Pitbull

Aug. 8 at the Coliseum

Payment: $300,000.

Attendance: 3,868.

Noteworthy backstage requests: This tour typically sends concert promoters on a substantial liquor-store mission, with requirements of Voli Light vodka, Don Julio tequila, Santa Margherita white wine, dark rum, red wine and Bud Light beer. But the new Indiana Wine and Beer Exhibition was the only place alcohol was allowed at this year's fair.

Hunter Hayes

Aug. 9 at the Coliseum

Payment: $200,000.

Attendance: 4,196.

Noteworthy backstage requests: One bag of Natural Tostitos tortilla chips, one bag of Stacy's pita chips and one bag Miss Vickie's potato chips.

Jim Gaffigan

Aug. 17 at the Coliseum

Payment: $150,000.

Attendance: 5,368.

Noteworthy backstage request: A lined notepad with the venue's wireless password written on the first page.

"American Idol Live"

Aug. 6 at the Coliseum

Payment: $125,000.

Attendance: 1,430.

Noteworthy backstage request: The male and female dressing rooms called for "Four large pieces of fresh root ginger (not chopped)." Root ginger is commonly used to treat sore throats.

Phillip Phillips

Aug. 5 at the Coliseum

Payment: $100,000.

Attendance: 2,243.

Barenaked Ladies

Aug. 11 at the Free Stage

Payment: $75,000.

Noteworthy backstage requests: This tour alternates its liquor regimen. If a show happens on an even-numbered calendar day, the band calls for spiced rum. On odd-numbered calendar days, it's vodka. But the new Indiana Wine and Beer Exhibition was the only place alcohol was allowed at this year's fair.

Bridgit Mendler

Aug. 4 at the Free Stage

Payment: $70,000.

Noteworthy backstage requests: One "bronze or gold" Sharpie and one "bunch of fresh flowers in a vase."

"Happy Together" tour

Aug. 12 at the Free Stage

Payment: $65,000.

Noteworthy backstage requests: This package of 1960s acts included bottled-water enthusiasts Chuck Negron (Glaceau Smartwater), Mark Farner (Acqua Panna or Voss) Mitch Ryder (Evian) and the Turtles (Perrier).

America, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Aug. 13 at the Free Stage

Payment: $60,000 ($40,000 for America, $20,000 for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band).

Noteworthy backstage request: To get around, America needed one 15-passenger van with seats for passengers and one cargo van for luggage and equipment. "SUVs, minivans, VW Beetles and wheelbarrows are not acceptable means of transportation."

Kansas

Aug. 15 at the Free Stage

Payment: $40,000.

Noteworthy backstage request: Case of Diet Coke with Splenda.

Charles Esten and Clare Bowen

Aug. 2 at the Free Stage

Payment: $40,000.

Noteworthy backstage request: Bowen's canned tuna must be a dolphin-safe brand such as Tuny, Herdez, El Dorado or Mazatun.

The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards

Aug. 14 at the Free Stage

Payment: $35,000.

Noteworthy backstage request: Edwards dines on steak after a show.

Josh Kaufman

Aug. 7 at the Free Stage

Payment: $25,000.

Gospel Music Fest

Aug. 17 at the Free Stage

Payment: $23,000.

Contemporary Christian Music Fest

Aug. 10 at the Free Stage

Payment: $22,000.

Hispanic/Latino Music Festival

Aug. 3 at the Free Stage

Payment: $20,000.

Marc Broussard

Aug. 16 at the Free Stage

Payment: $12,500.

Noteworthy backstage request: Tofurky deli slices.

BritBeat

Aug. 1 at the Coliseum

Payment: $12,000.

Dustin Lynch

Aug. 5 at the Free Stage

Payment: $7,500.

Jennie DeVoe

Aug. 1 at the Free Stage

Payment: $7,500.

Chase Rice

Aug. 8 at the Free Stage

Payment: $7,000.

Eric Paslay, Kelleigh Bannen

Aug. 6 at the Free Stage

Payment: None.

Dylan Scott, Dakota Bradley

Aug. 9 at the Free Stage

Payment: None.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.