GEDDES, N.Y. — From Flo Rida and Ashanti to throwback pop, country, rock and R&B, the New York State Fair’s concert lineup is covering a lot of musical ground this year.
And for some fairgoers, that variety is helping decide exactly when they come through the gates.
Saturday brought more than 114,000 people to the Fair, the biggest singleday turnout since 2019. Third Eye Blind also drew an estimated 49,000 people to Suburban Park that day, placing the concert among the largest in Fair history.
The concerts are included with an $8 Fair admission ticket, something Pop 2000 concertgoers Sam Nessia and Shawnna Popluhar said adds significant value.
“Nowadays ticket prices are insane,” they said. “We go to concerts all the time and it’s a very expensive lifestyle, but then being able to come here and experience these concerts for $8 is such a cool opportunity for us.”
The Pop 2000 Tour brought a nostalgic crowd to Chevy Court Tuesday, while Scotty McCreery drew country fans to Suburban Park later that night.
That range extends beyond the Fair’s biggest stages.
At the NAACP Van Robinson Pan-African Village, music, food, vendors and cultural programming are designed to highlight different communities and traditions from across New York.
One village member said the variety of entertainment helps bring different generations and cultures together.
“I feel like the different mixed cultures is bringing other communities from around the state together,” they said, pointing to acts ranging from Ashanti and country performers to older-school groups. “It’s bringing a mix of OG’s to youth.”
For some visitors, the music lineup does more than add to the Fair experience, it determines the day they show up.
Scotty McCreery fan Don March said Tuesday was his first and likely only day at the Fair this year.
“Probably our only day just to see Scotty mainly,” March said. “Last year we only came once to see a concert again, so I would say it’s pretty influential for us.”
March said his family has made the Fair’s included concerts an annual tradition.
“A lot of these they call ‘free shows,’ which you get with your ticket, which is basically free,” he said. “Definitely worth it. We enjoy them. We come to at least one a year for sure.”
The variety continues throughout the final days of the Fair, with acts ranging from Tori Kelly and ZZ Top to Stokley, Trace Adkins, Robin Thicke and Wyclef Jean.
For fans, the choice may be less about whether there is something to hear and more about which day’s soundtrack gets them through the gate.