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State Fair draws thousands for concerts, food and the New York experience

NY State Fair draws thousands for concerts, annual fun

The 13-day annual event at the State Fairgrounds attracted more than 900,000 visitors.

Story and Photos by The NewsHouse Staff
Published: September 4, 2023
New York Stair Fair goers enjoy flying high on the rides scattered around the fair grounds. Classic rides like the Merry-Go-Round glow at night during the New York State Fair, creating a nostalgic sight. T A local magician encourages child fair attendee to participate in his tricks at The New York State Fair September 1, 2023. Rollercoaster riders swerve downwards at the New York State fair. Highland Cattle breeds relax after a long day of travel with their breeders and caretakers. They will be shown at the New York State Fair in agriculture exhibitons New York State Fair goers ride on the gondola and watch others from the Merry-Go-Round. Encapsulated within its cage, a Turkey begins to clean its feathers in the Poultry section of the New York State Fair September 1, 2023. Busy night as the sun begins to set over the New York State Fair on Sunday August 27, 2023. Photo by Matt Hofmann

The Great New York State Fair’s annual celebration of all things Empire State wrapped on Monday.

For 13 days at the New York State Fairgrounds, more than 920,000 fairgoers enjoyed classic foods and drinks, took in views of games and rides as they ventured through the midway and the 800-pound butter sculpture.

The fair scheduled 48 live concerts ranging from hip-hop legends Salt-N-Pepa and to Juice Jam alum Yung Gravy. On Aug. 23, country star Lainey Wilson broke the fair’s concert attendance record with 53,200 fans.

The agricultural and entertainment tradition dates back to 1841 when the first two-day State Fair was held in Syracuse.

Yung Gravy and bbno$ make a Baby of a show

BBNO$ and Yung Gravy NY State Fair 2023
Photo by Ethan Canals-Fernández
bbno$ and Yung Gravy perform hits from their collaborative songs they dub as “Baby Gravy” on Sept. 3 at the Suburban Park stage.

Doechii delivers

Doechii performs in stage stage at the Chevy Court during the New York State Fair. August 25, 2023.
Photo by Maxine Wallace
Hip-hop artist Doechii performs at the Chevy Court stage during the New York State Fair on Aug. 25.

Joywave washes over Fair

American indie band Joywave performs on the Chevy Park Stage during the Great New York State Fair on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Photo by Kayla Breen.
Photo by Kayla Breen
Rochester indie band Joywave performs on the Chevy Park Stage on Sept. 3.
Fans scream and dance along to as Joywave performs on the Chevy Park Stage during the Great New York State Fair on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Photo by Kayla Breen.
Photo by Kayla Breen
Fans scream and dance along to Joywave’s Chevy Park stage concert.

Living it up with Ludacris

Ludacris rapping his hit song
Photo by Ethan Canals-Fernández
Ludacris performing his hit song “Act the Fool” at the 2023 New York State Fair on Aug. 31

Seeing J.I.D(ouble)

A double exposure of JID as he opens with his song
Photo by Em Burris
A double exposure of J.I.D as he opens with “Off Da Zoinkeys” on Sept. 1.

BBD back in action

Alternative Text
Photo by Surya Vaidy
Ronnie DeVoe sings during Bell Biv DeVoe’s set at the New York State Fair on Aug. 27.

Taking a trip with Ann Wilson

Ann Wilson and the Tripsitters performing at Suburban Park at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York August 30th, 2023.
Photo by Matt Hofmann
Ann Wilson of Heart fame and her band the Tripsitters perform at the Suburban Park Stage on Aug. 30.

Slick Rick and a masterpiece

Rapper Slick Rick continues his New York State Fair set with his song Mona Lisa. Taken on Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo by Surya Vaidy.
Photo by Surya Vaidy
Rapper Slick Rick performs his song “Mona Lisa” during his fair show on Aug. 26
The crowd at Chevy Suburban Park stage of the New York State fair cheer as famed rapper Slick Rick arrives on stage. Taken Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo by Surya Vaidy.
Photo by Surya Vaidy
The Chevy Suburban Park crowd cheers on famed rapper Slick Rick.

Hip-hop legends open 2023 Fair concerts

Salt-N-Pepa performing at the opening day of New York State Fair on Aug. 23, 2023
Photo by Maxine Waters
Salt-N-Pepa performing at the opening day of 2023 New York State Fair on Aug. 23.

Rebecca Black brings it

A double exposure of singer Rebecca Black performing Aug. 25 at the Suburban Park Stage at the 2023 New York State Fair.
Photo by Em Burris
A double exposure of pop singer Rebecca Black who performed Aug. 25 at the fair’s Suburban Park Stage.

Up-and-comer Matt Stell takes the stage

Matt Stell performs 'This One's Gonna Hurt' at Chevy Court in the New York State Fair on Sunday August 27, 2023. Photo by Matt Hofmann
Photo by Matt Hofmann
Country singer Matt Stell performs ‘This One’s Gonna Hurt’ at Chevy Court on Aug. 27.

Record-setting crowd shows up for country music star Lainey Wilson

Photos by Matt Hofmann
Published:
Lainey Wilson performs at Suburban Park in the New York State Fair on Wednesday August 25, 2023.
Photo by Matt Hofmann
Singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson, known for hits like “Things a Man Oughta Know” and starring on TV’s Yellowstone, performed for 53,200 fans — the most in state fair history.
People hold up there phones and sing along to Lainey Wilson's 'Watermelon Moonshine' at Suburban Park in the New York State Fair on Wednesday August 25, 2023.
Photo by Matt Hofmann
Thousands of Lainey Wilson fans held up cellphones during her song “Watermelon Moonshine.”
Lainey Wilson performs at Suburban Park in the New York State Fair on Wednesday August 25, 2023.
Photo by Matt Hofmann
Lainey Wilson was the Suburban Park Stage’s opening day headliner for the 2023 New York State Fair on Aug. 23.