Beginning in 1972 under the name Fan Fair, the event now draws approximately 350 artists and celebrities who hold autograph sessions and perform in concerts offered throughout the festival.

[2] In 1991, singer Kathy Mattea attended Fan Fair despite being under doctor's orders not to speak or sing, so that her injured vocal cords could heal.

He was swarmed with fans, and stayed in his booth signing autographs for 23 hours and 10 minutes without a single break.

[7] Also in 2004, the ABC network televised the event as a two-hour special known as CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock.

[8] The first special, which aired on July 14, 2004, ranked number 16 in viewers, with an estimated 9 million people tuning in.

[5] Attendees span all ages, from infants to the elderly and come from 41 countries, including Canada, France, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, and Russia.

After moving to its new, larger and air-conditioned home in 2001, attendance numbers soared, with the 2002 festival drawing 126,000 fans.

[2] Attendance slipped slightly the following year, partially because many of the more-renowned country music stars declined to appear at the festival.