Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd to Perform at The Great New York State Fair

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd will bring fan favorites “Freebird,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” and more to Central New York as part of their 50th anniversary tour, hitting Suburban Park stage on Thursday, August 28 at 8 p.m. With a catalog of over 60 albums, billions of streams, tens of millions of records sold, and the introduction of Hell House whiskey, Lynyrd Skynyrd remain a cultural icon that appeal to all generations while embodying the very soul of Southern rock.

“Lynyrd Skynyrd’s behind some of the greatest songs ever written and that are instantly recognizable,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “We’re excited to have them as part of our lineup for the 2025 Fair and know they’ll draw a huge crowd eager to sing along to their favorites.”

More than a half century after the release of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s critically acclaimed debut album, the band resonates as deeply with their multi-generational fan base today as when they first got their start in Jacksonville, Florida in 1973. Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks on with a current line-up featuring Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Damon Johnson, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Robbie Harrington, Peter Keys, Carol Chase, and Stacy Plunk. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Just last week, the band released their new project, “Celebrating 50 Years - Live At The Ryman.” A celebration of the southern sound that changed rock forever, the live album spectacularly captures Lynyrd Skynyrd’s historic 50th-anniversary concert at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium in 2022. This special release holds profound significance as it features the final performance of founding member Gary Rossington, who passed away less than five months later.

The new album showcases the band's unparalleled energy and their signature blend of blues rock and Southern hard rock swagger and stands as a celebration of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s lasting legacy in music history, filled with iconic hits such as “Freebird,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Simple Man,” and so many more. Special guests on the album include Jelly Roll, Marcus King, John Osborne (The Brothers Osborne), Brent Smith (Shinedown), and Donnie Van Zant (Van Zant and .38 Special).

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Tickets are $8 for adults while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.

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:

Suburban Park:

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

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, Twitter, and Instagram.

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