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“We’re excited to present a diverse and dynamic lineup of grounds entertainment for this year’s Fair,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “From adorable animals and spectacular shows to interactive experiences like the new Ice Age exhibit, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome families and visitors from across the region to experience all the fun and excitement.”

For a schedule and location listing of grounds entertainment acts, please visit The Great New York State Fair’s website.

NEW THIS YEAR
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Immersive Productions - Ice Age Experience
Step into a breathtaking journey through time with the Ice Age Experience, a captivating adventure that brings the prehistoric world to life! This immersive exhibit features life-sized animatronic creatures, meticulously crafted to showcase the grandeur of the Ice Age. Witness the extraordinary animals that once roamed our planet, from towering Woolly Mammoths with lifelike fur and movements to the majestic yet elusive Megatherium, a giant ground sloth, whose sheer size is awe-inspiring.

The exhibit combines cutting-edge animatronics, immersive soundscapes, and educational facts to transport visitors to the Ice Age, where they can learn about these incredible animals’ habits, environments, and struggles for survival. Perfect for families, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs, the “Frozen Wonders of the Past” invites you to explore a world where giants ruled the earth and ice sculpted the land.

Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show (sponsored by Strong Spas)
From America’s Got Talent, the Canine Stars Stunt Show will amaze audiences with highly trained rescue dogs performing incredible stunts, daring tricks, and jaw-dropping feats of agility and obedience. Combining entertainment, skill, and heart, this show is perfect for all ages and promises a memorable experience filled with excitement and canine talent.

Good Works Drone Shows
Experience the future of entertainment with Good Works Drone Shows, where hundreds of synchronized drones create stunning, colorful displays in the night sky. These breathtaking aerial shows combine innovative technology with artistry to deliver mesmerizing visual spectacles – a one-of-a-kind drone performance that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression.

Jon Stetson – The Mentalist
Experience the extraordinary talents of Jon Stetson, the renowned mentalist who inspired the CBS show of the same name, as he not only displays his astonishing intuitive powers but also guides audiences toward a more fulfilled life. Through his captivating performances, he helps you develop self-awareness, intuition, self-empowerment, and unlock your greater potential—making his show both entertaining and inspiring for all.

The Living Zultar (sponsored by Toyota)
Inspired by the 1988 film “Big,” The Living Zultar is an experienced comic actor, magician, and impressionist who has been delighting audiences for over 30 years. Blending expert sleight-of-hand magic with quick humor, The Living Zultar brings the mechanical fortune teller to life in a truly captivating performance. Limited engagement: August 20-25, 2025.

Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show (sponsored by Camping World)
Experience the thrill of the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, where expert lumberjacks demonstrate impressive axe throwing, wood chopping, and log rolling skills in an action-packed, family-friendly performance. Celebrating the rugged spirit of the logging industry, this show offers entertainment, education, and a touch of Americana for audiences of all ages.

Stilt Circus (sponsored by National Grid)
Experience the magic and wonder of Stilt Circus, where talented performers showcase gravity-defying stilt walking, acrobatics, and captivating acts in a dazzling display of skill and artistry. Stilt Circus brings a lively, colorful atmosphere that will enchant audiences of all ages.

The Tiki Shack
Adding a tropical touch to the Great New York State Fair this year is The Tiki Shack! This lively and colorful bamboo hut on wheels is bringing an island vibe, with live music and hula hoops for the kids – so sing along with some island favorites!

The Wheels of Agriculture featuring Trivia Tractor (sponsored by Beak & Skiff)
The Wheels of Agriculture offers a fun-filled, interactive experience that celebrates agriculture with an engaging stage game show featuring trivia on local farming, animals, and food, providing both entertainment and educational insights for visitors of all ages. Complementing this, the Trivia Tractor is a lively mobile game show with audience participation, giant foam dice, and prizes, capable of popping up anywhere at the Fair to deliver dice-driven questions about farming in a fun and unpredictable way – a perfect pairing for the Great New York State Fair!
 
RETURNING ATTRACTIONS

Birds of Prey, hosted by Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. (sponsored by CUTCO)
Experience the thrill of getting closer than ever to amazing birds of prey as majestic raptors from around the world soar overhead! Renowned for its engaging educational programs and award-winning conservation efforts, Hawk Creek Wildlife Center provides a second chance for 90 permanent residents and reconnects thousands of visitors with nature through interactive presentations. Featured on PBS, named a “Blue Planet Hero” by National Geographic, and seen on Rachael Ray and NBC Today, Hawk Creek’s animal ambassadors and naturalists inspire audiences with their passion for wildlife and conservation.

Circus Hollywood (sponsored by Chevy)
Experience the excitement and spectacle of Circus Hollywood, a thrilling show featuring breathtaking acrobatics, dazzling costumes, and incredible performances that will captivate audiences of all ages.

The Coronas Family Petting Zoo
The Coronas Family Petting Zoo offers a delightful hands-on experience with friendly farm animals, including pony rides, camel rides, and animal exhibits – perfect for family fun and animal lovers of all ages.

Hilby – The Skinny German Juggle Boy (sponsored by Toyota)
Fan favorite Hilby, known for his charming blend of comedy, juggling, and physical comedy, is a staple of the Great New York State Fair, creating a fun-filled experience perfect for all ages. Limited engagement: August 26 – September 1, 2025.

Hollywood Pig Races (sponsored by Signature Spas)
Don’t miss the hilarious and adorable Hollywood Pig Races, where piggies race to the finish line in a fun-filled, family-friendly competition that’s sure to bring smiles and laughter.

Majestic Fireworks (sponsored by Tessy Plastics)
Majestic Fireworks from Clinton, NY has provided a truly spectacular fireworks display at the New York State Fair for the last 14 years. Proudly lighting up the skies for over 47 years, Majestic Fireworks creates memorable firework shows that make ordinary events extraordinary. Fairgoers will be treated to an impressive fireworks show over the Fairgrounds on closing day at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Matt Long – The Sandman
Since 2001, and featured on the Travel Channel’s Sand Masters, Sandman Matt Long has created innumerable sand sculptures around the world for every type of event imaginable. From small but impressive table-top sand sculptures at trade shows to sculptures well over a hundred tons, they are always well thought out and skillfully designed. The 120-ton sand sculpture can be viewed in the Micron Center of Progress Building starting at 10:00 a.m. each day. Fairgoers can catch Matt in action from August 20 to 24, with the final design coming to life by August 25.

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission. Tickets are on sale now at The Fair’s website, nysfair.ny.gov. Packed with value, a single admission ticket costs $8 and includes access to all grounds entertainment and the Chevrolet Music Series. In addition, a Frequent Fairgoer ticket option is available for $25. The Fair continues to be one of the most affordable fairs in the nation, with admission remaining free for those aged 65 and older along with children 12 years old and under.

In total, The Fair’s 2025 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 22 and 29 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.

Chevy Court:

• Wednesday, August 20 – 1:00 p.m. – The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA
• Wednesday, August 20 – 6:00 p.m. – George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
• Thursday, August 21 – 1:00 p.m. – Taylor Dayne
• Thursday, August 21 – 6:00 p.m. – Cheap Trick
• Friday, August 22 – 1:00 p.m. – Lily Rose
• Friday, August 22 – 6:00 p.m. – Neon Trees
• Friday, August 22 – 9:00 p.m. – The Lady Gaga Tribute
• Saturday, August 23 – 1:00 p.m. – Kidz Bop
• Saturday, August 23 – 6:00 p.m. – Kameron Marlowe
• Sunday, August 24 – 1:00 p.m. – Los Lonely Boys
• Sunday, August 24 – 6:00 p.m. – GROUPLOVE
• Monday, August 25 – 1:00 p.m. – Slippery When Wet
• Monday, August 25 – 1:00 p.m. – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
• Tuesday, August 26 – 1:00 p.m. – Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
• Tuesday, August 26 – 6:00 p.m. – Sister Hazel
• Wednesday, August 27 – 1:00 p.m. – Tusk
• Wednesday, August 27 – 6:00 p.m. – Red Hot Chilli Pipers
• Thursday, August 28 – 1:00 p.m. – Tom Nitti & Ashley Bryant
• Thursday, August 28 – 6:00 p.m. – Maddie & Tae
• Friday, August 29 – 1:00 p.m. – Vertical Horizon
• Friday, August 29 – 6:00 p.m. – Yacht Rock Revue
• Friday, August 29 – 9:00 p.m. – DJ Pauly D
• Saturday, August 30 – 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. – JAMS Funk Fest – CJack Run Presents: Youth Performances
• Saturday, August 30 – 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. – JAMS Funk Fest – Stevie Wolf Blues Express
• Saturday, August 30 – 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. – JAMS Funk Fest – UAD
• Saturday, August 30 – 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. – JAMS Funk Fest – David Banks
• Saturday, August 30 – 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. – JAMS Funk Fest – The Blacklites
• Saturday, August 30 – 8:15 - 9:30 p.m. – JAMS Funk Fest – Rose Royce
• Sunday, August 31 – 1:00 p.m. – Blippi: Join the Band Tour
• Sunday, August 31 – 6:00 p.m. – En Vogue
• Monday, September 1 – 12:00 p.m. – Dionne Warwick
• Monday, September 1 – 4:00 p.m. – 24K Magic - The Ultimate Bruno Mars Tribute Experience

• Wednesday, August 20 – 8:00 p.m. – Nate Smith
• Thursday, August 21 – 8:00 p.m. – AJR
• Friday, August 22 – 8:00 p.m. – Jessie Murph
• Saturday, August 23 – 8:00 p.m. – O.A.R.
• Sunday, August 24 – 8:00 p.m. – Busta Rhymes
• Monday, August 25 – 8:00 p.m. – 98 Degrees
• Tuesday, August 26 – 8:00 p.m. – Lil Jon
• Wednesday, August 27 – 8:00 p.m. – Carly Pearce
• Thursday, August 28 – 8:00 p.m. – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Friday, August 29 – 8:00 p.m. – Dustin Lynch
• Saturday, August 30 – 8:00 p.m. – All Time Low
• Sunday, August 31 – 8:00 p.m. – Shaggy
• Monday, September 1 – 6:00 p.m. – +LIVE+

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, X/Twitter, and Instagram.

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