With the Great New York State Fair weeks away, officials announce new and returning entertainment acts including a three-ring circus, corgi races and an extreme ski show.
“We’ve explored new and never-before-seen ways to bring fairgoers even more entertainment, and it’s at no added cost when you enter the gates. We want visitors to get the most out of their time here, and this year’s grounds entertainment lineup is surely one for the books,” said state fair director Julie LaFave in a press release.
New to the fair this year, Circus Hollywood will host a three-ring circus in the Exposition Center with show times at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Additionally, performers will be available to meet fairgoers between shows.
Ski Extreme Productions will host an extreme sports show with “gravity defying jet ski, waterski and wakeboard gymnastics.” There will be three shows daily at the pond near Suburban Park at 11 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Fairgoers can also expect corgi races this year at the Exposition Center at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
On Aug. 26 and 27, there will be a drone show with over 300 drones beginning around 9:15 p.m. The show will be visible from the area near Suburban Park and the Midway following the evening concerts.
Returning to the fair this year will be the Canine Stunt Dog Show which includes highly trained rescue dogs performing a variety of different stunts. There will be three shows daily near the entrance of the Midway at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
A lumberjill performing during the 2025 New York State Fair. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)
Another attraction that will return this year is the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show where lumberjacks and lumberjills demonstrate axe throwing, wood chopping and log rolling. There will be three shows daily in the Central Park area across from the Poultry Barn at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Other returning favorites include the Stilt Circus, the Wheels of Agriculture featuring Trivia Tractor, the Living Zultar, Hollywood Racing Pigs and Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy. Returning after a year hiatus is Bandaloni, a one-man-band the includes a harmonica, guitar, and kick-drum.
To close out the fair on Sept. 7, there will be a fireworks display at approximately 8 p.m.