The Great New York State Fair Announces Patriotic Musical Entertainment to Coincide with Armed Forces Day

As New Yorkers commemorate Memorial Day statewide over the next few days, the Great New York State Fair is offering a glimpse into a patriotic musical entertainment line-up scheduled for Chevy Court on Armed Forces Day on Thursday, August 31. Both performers have played the stage before.

First, the 10^th Mountain Army Division’s rock band, Avalanche, will perform at 1:00 p.m.. Then, at 6:00 p.m., fairgoers will be treated to a performance from the man who wrote the most recognizable patriotic song in America, Lee Greenwood.

Avalanche, a four-piece rock band based at the U.S. Army Base in Fort Drum, most recently played Chevy Court during the 2022 Fair. Their repertoire spans several decades, ranging from Contemporary Pop to familiar Rock and Roll classics. The band is known for providing upbeat music for soldiers and their families, as well as for musical outreach and educational opportunities. Avalanche has played at the International Boy Scouts Jamboree and on multiple U.S. Army recruiting tours.

Later that day, Lee Greenwood will take the Chevy Court stage for the fifth time in his musical career—and for the first time in ten years. Greenwood most recently performed at The Fair in 2013, and also appeared in 2009, 2003 and 1988.

While he is best known for “God Bless The U.S.A.” – which to this date, is the only song to have climbed to the Top Five in the country charts three times (in 1991, 2001, and 2003) – fairgoers are sure to recognize more songs from Greenwood’s catalogue. Lee Greenwood had a string of seven #1 hits in the early to mid-1980s including “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going, Going, Gone” and “Mornin’ Ride.” He also saw success singing “To Me” – and other duets – with Barbara Mandrell. Crossover hits include “Touch & Go Crazy” and his Grammy award winning song, “I.O.U.”

“Armed Forces Day is a day full of traditions here at The Fair. There’s a ceremony in the morning where we recognize members of our Armed Forces around a monument that commemorates the sacrifices made by our war heroes. And, in the evening, there’s a parade featuring servicemen and women and veterans. We are delighted that both Lee Greenwood and Avalanche could join us. Their appearances complement the solemnness of the day, and also gives us a reason to celebrate. Through their music, both artists continue to boost morale for members of our armed forces, past and present, which in turn, inspires a sense of pride in all of us,” said Sean Hennessey, Interim Fair Director.

Like all acts that appear in the Chevrolet Music Series, the Lee Greenwood and Avalanche concerts are free with Fair admission, which is expected to go on sale in the next few weeks. Admission is $6 for adults and free for those 65 years and older, and 12 years and younger.

The Chevrolet Music Series features daily concerts at Chevy Court and Suburban Park on the Fairgrounds. In total, there will be 48 performances – and today’s announcement brings the Fair more than halfway through its concert announcements.

All acts announced thus far are provided below, and schedules are continuously updated at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park on the Fair’s website.

Chevy Court Stage:

Suburban Park Stage:

The Great New York State Fair begins Wednesday, August 23 and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4.

Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture and provides top-quality entertainment. 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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