Geddes (WSYR-TV) – The New York State Fair is adding a little more to its offering of free music during its 2012 edition.
The Fair announced on Friday that it is revamping a smaller series by adding the “Midway Music Series,” which goes from six to nine concerts.
But there’s more on the horizon than just concerts at The Fair.
Chevy Court is the crown jewel of free music at The Fair, with big acts drawing tens of thousands to that area of the Fairgrounds. But State Fair Director Dan O’Hara says that while the Midway Concert Series won’t be quite as big, it should eventually draw several thousand attendees.
Renovations are underway in that area to make room for the shows, which he says will also help pump new energy into that area.
“At nighttime, say after 5, 6, 7 o’clock it gets kind of quiet down towards restaurant row…so we figured maybe this is an opportunity to, again, with the economy the way it is, try to provide some additional free entertainment and draw people down in there,” O’Hara said.
O’Hara said the Fair will continue to add more seating areas - including places in the shade - especially in the restaurant row area.
"Last year a challenge was the bathrooms. We've got a pretty good plan lined up this year we hope that is not an issue,” O’Hara said.
O’Hara said attendees will be back in the bathrooms areas, but they will be paid like State Fair employees so visitors won’t feel compelled to tip.
State Fair officials announced two of the free concert acts taking place away from Chevy Court on Friday.
Previously called the Talent Showcase State, the State Fair has renamed the six-performance series as the
Midway Music Series.
The two announced on Friday morning were pop-punk acts The Downtown Fiction and We Are the In Crowd.
Virginia-based The Downtown Fiction will perform Friday, Sept. 1, at 8 p.m., while Poughkeepsie’s We Are the In Crowd will take to the stage Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
Fair staff members also say they will begin announcing additional acts for the Chevy Court stage in a few weeks.
