Celtic Folk Rock and Irish Punk Music to Bring Shamrockin’ Vibes To The Great New York State Fair

On the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, the Great New York State Fair is announcing two shamrockin’ additions to its repertoire of entertainment as part of the Chevrolet Music Series. Internationally known musicians, The High Kings, will make their Great New York State Fair debut on Monday, September 4. Earlier in the Fair’s duration, an American Irish Punk band, The Prodigals, will entertain audiences for the second year in a row on Sunday, August 27.

The Prodigals will return to Chevy Court to play at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 27. The band has played venues including Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, and the Las Vegas House of Blues. When they’re not on the road, The Prodigals play a legendary quarter-century residency at New York City’s iconic Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar – the only all-draft Guinness Bar in the country. Following their 2022 performance at The Fair, one review praised the quintet’s high-energy and captivating stage presence for catching the attention of passersby, and said they “just crushed Chevy Court.” The Prodigals’ music has been featured in major film and television scores including a 2008 crime drama starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell called, “Pride and Glory.”

Meanwhile, The High Kings are celebrating 15 years together this year by releasing 15 new songs and embarking on a 27-date-tour of the United States. The quartet surpassed one million listeners on Spotify last year, with hits including “Irish Pub Song,” “The Rocky Road to Dublin,” and “Galway Girl” counted among their most-listened-to songs. The High Kings – comprised of Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Paul O’Brien and Brian Dunphy – will take the Chevy Court Stage at 12:00 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, September 4.

“Sláinte is táinte, to health and wealth,” said Interim Fair Director Sean Hennessey. “While Irish Folk music and Irish Punk music always experiences a resurgence this time of year, it doesn’t have to be March for us to put a little ‘jig’ in our steps. My mother grew up in Wicklow, Ireland, so being able to host traditional Irish music here at the Fair is something that I get really excited about. One of my favorite things about the Fair is that it’s a place where all traditions, cultures and backgrounds can come together, and music is one of the most tangible ways to make that happen.”

The Chevrolet Music Series features daily performances at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1) and the Experience Stage at Chevy Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway).

As concerts are announced, Fair staff will update schedules on the Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Park and Chevy Court. Acts announced thus far are provided in the tables below:

Chevy Court:

Experience Stage at Chevy Park:

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 23, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. Admission is $6 for adults, and free for those 65 years and older, and 12 years and younger.

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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