What's The 'Experience Stage' at The NYS Fair?

Although the Experience Stage was open last year for a few acts, this year it's in full swing with a jam-packed 13-day lineup that includes national recording artists and rockers from CNY like Utica’s Gridley Paige, Herkimer’s Max Scialdone.

August 22 through September 3, 2018, is the Great New York State Fair at the Syracuse Fairgrounds, and new this year is a full entertainment lineup at the Experience Stage located at the western end of the Fairgrounds in the New York Experience Festival Grounds. Several national touring acts, along with a mix of major bands from across Upstate New York and national touring tribute bands, will make up a diverse lineup of talent and entertainment - all free with your Fair admission.

“Just as we’ve invested a record amount in our Chevy Court stage, we’re also making a similar investment in our Experience Stage. We’ve been the biggest music festival in Upstate New York but we’re not resting on our reputation. We also want to find a way to introduce more fairgoers to the beautiful New York Experience area,” said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner.

The Experience Stage Full Schedule:

Wednesday, August 22:
4:00pm DJ Joe Driscoll
5:30pm The Barndogs
7:00pm Eddie Money
9:00pm Gridley Paige

Thursday, August 23:
2:45pm Formerly Un-Named
4:00pm Pale Green Stars
5:45pm Scars & Stripes
8:00pm All Time Low

Friday, August 24: LATINO VILLAGE WEEKEND (through Sunday, August 26)
2:00pm David Gonzalez
4:00pm Zaki Malave
6:00pm Orquestra Antonetti
8:00pm Grupo Karis

Saturday, August 25:
2:00pm Afrikan 2
4:00pm Bailamos
6:00pm Latino Reality TV Stars
8:00pm Alex Torres

Sunday, August 26:
2:00pm Sabor Latino Youth Talent Show
4:00pm El Potro Doney
6:00pm Grupo Pagan
8:00pm FULASO - "Funky Latin Soul"

Monday, August 27:
2:00pm Max Scialdone
4:00pm Blase Debris
6:00pm Sirsy
8:00pm John Kay & Steppenwolf

Tuesday, August 28:
12 noon Rock The Redhouse Youth Rock Showcase
2:00pm Fritz's Polka Band
4:00pm Los Blancos
6:00pm Pearly Baker's Best
8:00pm Ruby Shooz

Wednesday, August 29:
2:00pm My So-Called Band
4:00pm Bad Mama Blues Band
6:00pm Jess Novak Band
8:30pm Root Shock

Thursday, August 30:
2:00pm 198th Army Reserve Band
4:00pm Country Swagg
6:00pm Ramblin' Gamblin' Band
8:00pm Foghat

Friday, August 31:
2:00pm TBA
4:00pm TANKSLEY
6:00pm The Ripcords
8:30pm Hard Promises: The Music of Tom Petty

Saturday, September 1: JAMS FunkFest 2K18
2:00pm Anomalous People Band
3:30pm Ignite
5:00pm Missy Belgre
6:30pm The Blacklites
8:00pm The Zapp Band

Sunday, September 2:
2:00pm Twenty20
4:00pm MoChester
6:00pm Big Eyed Phish
8:30pm Thunderstruck

Monday, September 3:
3:00pm Ignite Reggae
4:30pm Dark Hollow
7:00pm Badfish

The New York Experience festival ground on the western end of the Fairgrounds will also be the home of several special events, such as the two, Family Fishing Days in the pond and the Timber Sports and Forestry Experience Day, featuring demonstrations from collegiate timber sports teams. Each night at 9:30 p.m., events in the area end with a Drone Light Show, featuring 25 drones flying in patterns choreographed to music. Adirondack chairs offer fairgoers a quiet place to have a drink and take a break.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 22 to September 3, 2018. The Fair's mission, reflected in its theme, "FIND YOUR GREAT," is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.