NEW YORK — You’d be “Foolish” to miss GRAMMY-winning artist Ashanti as she serenades the crowds at the Suburban Park stage at the Great New York State Fair on Monday, August 31, at 8 p.m.

The multi-Platinum selling singer, songwriter, and actress rose to global fame in the early 2000s with her unmistakable voice and a string of chart-topping hits. Her self-titled debut album, Ashanti, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album and still holds a record in the Guinness Book of Records for a female artist selling 503,000 album copies in a first week debut. Fans around the world know her for iconic songs like “Rock Wit U (Aww Baby)”, “Foolish,” “Happy,” and “Baby,” as well as collaborations such as “Always on Time” and “What’s Luv?” Ashanti has sold millions of records globally and remains one of the most established voices in R&B. In 2022, Ashanti received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in recognition of her contributions to the music industry.

“Ashanti helped define an era of R&B with songs that fans still love to sing along to today,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “Her catalog of hits and magnetic stage presence make her a fantastic addition to this year’s entertainment lineup!”

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. All concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Tickets are $8 for adults while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.

In total, The Fair’s 2026 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, August 28 and September 4 at Chevy Court.

All concerts announced thus far are provided in the charts below. Fair staff will continue to update schedules on The Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.

Suburban Park:

Chevy Court:

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.