Big Time Rush with Cody Simpson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Puyallup Fair’s 2012 Concert Series, presented by Columbia Bank.

What started out as a fictional band on the popular Nickelodeon show, Big Time Rush, turned out to be more realistic than the creator ever thought.

The American boy band started gathering young fans at a high rate of speed, resulting in their debut album being certified Gold by the RIAA. They were recently nominated for the “Favorite Group” in the Kid’s Choice Awards in 2012.

In overwhelming response to their sold-out “Better With U Tour,” Big Time Rush is kicking off “Big Time Summer Tour,” performing in more than 50 cities across the U.S. and Canada. including stops in New York, Chicago, Boston and Toronto. They will perform songs off their latest album Elevate, including “Music Sounds Better With U,” “All Over Again” and “Elevate.”

Simpson, an emerging Australian pop phenomenon, will open for Big Time Rush.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. March 10 at www.thefair.com/concerts or by phone (888-559-3247) daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

To save the convenience charges, purchase tickets in person at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center box office at 9th Avenue Southwest and Meridian Street on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ticket prices are $60 for Golden Circle, $50, $40 and $30. All seats are reserved and include fair gate admission.

For more information, visit www.bigtimetour.com.

More acts will be announced in the coming months for the Puyallup Fair 2012 Columbia Bank Concert Series. Visit www.thefair.com/concerts for updates, or sign up at www.thefair.com to receive email or text announcements prior to the concert on-sale dates.

Concerts to date include:

Sept. 10 – Heart (rock), 7:30 p.m., $65-$25 tickets

Sept. 14 – Jeff Foxworthy (comedy), 7:30 p.m., $65-$25

Sept. 17 – Big Time Rush with Cody Simpson (youth), 7:30 p.m., $60-$30

Sept. 22 – An Evening with Tim McGraw (country), 7:30 p.m., $95-50

The Puyallup Fair started in 1900, is one of the biggest fairs in the world, and is the largest in Washington. Star-studded entertainment, the PRCA Rodeo, rides, exhibits, food, flowers and animals are mainstays of the 17-day event each September. For further information about the Sept. 7-23 Puyallup Fair, visit www.thefair.com, or text “FAIR” to 75868.