The summer State Fair’s most popular performer, Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, will make his first-ever mid-winter stop at the Fairgrounds at 2:20 p.m., Saturday, February 9. His comedy juggling act is one of 17 performances scheduled for the stage, which ranges from pop, rock, soul and country music to African marimba rhythms and Native American dancing.

“We’re bringing the best of the State Fair indoors and our performance lineup reflects that. We’ve got many great shows that people have enjoyed at the Fair at the end of summer and a few new shows as well,” said Steve Becker of Premier Promotions, the company that is operating Winter Fair with assistance from the Great New York State Fair.

The full entertainment lineup includes the following:

Friday, February 8
4 p.m. - Paul Davie’s Magical Mystery Tour Tribute to the Beatles
6 p.m. - The Ripcords, a Central New York staple, rippin’ through roots, rockabilly, country, blues, swing and music influenced by both New Orleans, Bakersfield and more
8:30 p.m. - The Custom Taylor Band, Central New York's premier top 40 country music band

Saturday, February 9
11 a.m. - Kambuyu Marimba Band, playing dance music From Zimbabwe
12:15 p.m. - Francis Academy of Irish Dance
1 p.m. - Karate John's martial arts demonstration
1:30 p.m. - Mike & the Rhythm & Blues, a 12-piece youth orchestra
2:20 p.m. - Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy, a tradition at the State Fair for more than 20 years, teasing and amusing audiences as he juggles, walks on stilts and rides a unicycle
3 p.m. - Karate John’s martial arts demonstration
3:30 p.m. - Joe Driscoll, a musician/rapper/beatboxer who uses recorded loops of his own beatboxing, and live looping using a sampler to fuse hip-hop, reggae, soul, folk and roots rock
4:45 p.m. - Native American Dancers, representing the Six Nations
6 p.m. - The BlackLites, an old school R&B/soul/funk group with a horn section.
8:30 p.m. to 10pm - The Todd Hobin Band, a legendary Central New York rock band

Sunday, February 10
12:15 p.m. - Sera Bullis, age 16, a two-time Syracuse Area Music Awards winner who plays piano, cello, ukulele and electric guitar
1:30 p.m. - Winner of the JCC Battle of the Bands, putting a great high school group in the spotlight
3:30 p.m. - Grupo Pagan, a Latin- American group with a salsa-inspired flavor
6 p.m. Jess Novak Band, a 7-piece band featuring pop, rock, soul, love, a fiddle on fire and a powerhouse voice

In addition to entertainment, Winter Fair will feature a mini-midway indoors, food, beverage and merchandise vendors, and State Fair cultural staples such as the Indian, Pan-African and Latino villages. Some special activities will also take place outdoors, in front of the Expo Center. Winter Fair runs 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Saturday and Noon - 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Pre-sale admission is $4 for adults and $2 for seniors age 60 and above and for teens ages 13-17. Children 12 and under are free. A small service fee is added to each ticket, which can be purchased here. At the gate, tickets will be $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and teens and only cash will be accepted.

For more information or sponsorship details, contact the event promoter, Steve Becker of Premier Promotions, at 315-622-2249 or steve@premierpromo.com.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fairgrounds website.

Media Contacts:
Jola Szubielski
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
518-457-0752

Dave Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377