Melissa Etheridge, Brandy Clark, DJ Pretty Mess, and Kenny Metcalf as Elton to Perform During LGBTQ+ Pride Day at The Fair, Friday, August 28
New York State Celebrates the 15th Anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act with LGBTQ+ Pride Day at The Fair, Featuring a Resource Fair, Performances, and Community Programming
As New Yorkers come together to celebrate Pride Month and mark the 15th anniversary of New York’s landmark Marriage Equality Act, The Great New York State Fair today announced its LGBTQ+ Pride Day programming for Friday, August 28, the first Friday of the 2026 Fair.
LGBTQ+ Pride Day will feature the annual Resource Fair, comedy performances, community programming, and the Chevrolet Music Series lineup that includes Melissa Etheridge, Brandy Clark, DJ Pretty Mess, and Kenny Metcalf as Elton.
Today’s announcement was made during a special Pride Month ceremony and flag raising at the Fairgrounds, where Tracy DiGenova, Governor Kathy Hochul’s Central New York Regional Representative, presented the Governor’s Pride Month Proclamation.
As part of this year’s recognition of Pride Month and the 15th anniversary of marriage equality in New York, the New York State Museum is also hosting a “Gallery Tour: New York Pride: The Fight for Marriage Equality” presentation on June 16, 2026. The exhibit explores New York’s pivotal role in advancing marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
“The Great New York State Fair is a place where every New Yorker can feel welcomed, celebrated, and represented,” said State Fair Director Julie LaFave. “As we celebrate Pride Month and prepare for LGBTQ+ Pride Day at The Fair this August, we’re proud to continue a tradition that highlights the diversity and spirit of our state—bringing people together through inclusion, celebration, and shared experiences. We’re excited to welcome fairgoers for another unforgettable day honoring New York’s LGBTQ+ community.”
Bonnie Strunk, FAIR NY Director, said, “LGBTQ+ Pride Day at the Fair continues to be an important opportunity to celebrate visibility, community and inclusion. What began as a groundbreaking event has grown into a cherished tradition that is a welcoming and inclusive place for all and celebrates the strength and diversity of New York’s LGBTQ+ community.”
In 2015, The Great New York State became the first state fair in the United States to hold an official Pride Celebration. The day was created in collaboration with leading Central New York groups active in advocating for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community. Every year since its inception, LGBTQ+ Pride Day has continued to generate momentum and enhanced programming.
LGBTQ+ Pride Day Program Schedule – August 28, 2026
| LGBTQ+ Pride Day Flag Raising | 9:30 a.m. | Outside State Fair Main Gate |
| LGBTQ+ Resource Fair | 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Chevy Court Pavilion |
| LGBTQ+ Pride Day Entertainment | 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Empire Theater |
| Kenny Metcalf as Elton | 1:00 p.m. | Chevy Court |
| LGBTQ+ Pride Day Ceremony | 2:00 p.m. | Empire Theater |
| Brandy Clark | 6:00 p.m. | Chevy Court |
| Melissa Etheridge | 8:00 p.m. | Suburban Park |
| DJ Pretty Mess | 9:00 p.m. | Chevy Court |
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. 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.
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, TikTok, and Instagram.
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