The State of New York has gone from the highest to the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate in the U-S. Governor Cuomo made the announcement in Syacuse Monday. He announced the 2021 State Fair is returning without capacity restrictions.
When Governor Cuomo stepped into the Art and Home Center at the State Fairgrounds accompanied by local and state officials, he started off by saying we are living in extraordinary times.
Although, Cuomo quickly switched to update the progress in fighting COVID-19 with a crushed state-wide positivity rate of now point 4 percent. He attributes that to over 20 million completed vaccinations.
“69.9% of New Yorkers have gotten a vaccine. God bless the intelligence of the people of the state of New York.”
Last January the state’s COVID positivity rate was nearly 8 % but, that was prior to the major federal vaccine roll-out. Cuomo feels the state is on track to achieve a vaccination rate of 70-percent.
He says it’s safe to open the State Fair in August to 100% capacity with places for social distancing and masks for those unvaccinated.
“Everything will be open at the New York State Fair, all the buildings, all the events. It will be the great New York State Fair that we are all so proud of.”
The Governor reinforced that the work of getting more eligible New Yorkers vaccinated is still important as COVID-19 is still active. He adds a high vaccination rate doesn’t mean concern for the virus is over.
Whether there would be a state fair at all was in question until late April when the Governor announced it could go forward with 50% capacity. That allowed organizers to start planning, among other things, dozens of musical acts.
Musical Acts at NY State Fair, announced to date
- LoCash, Friday, August 20 with time to be announced
- Nas, Friday, August 20 at 8 p.m.
- 98 Degrees, Saturday, August 21 at 2 p.m.
- RATT, Saturday, August 21 with time to be announced
- Brothers Osborne, Sunday, August 22, 8 p.m.
- Bishop Briggs, Monday, August 23 with time to be announced.
- Foreigner, Monday, August 23 at 8 p.m.
- Dire Straits Legacy, Tuesday, August 24 with time to be announced
- Train, Tuesday, August 24 at 8 p.m.
- REO Speedwagon, Wednesday, August 25 at 8 p.m.
- Three Dog Night, Thursday, August 26 with time to be announced
- Bell Biv Devoe, Thursday, August 26 at 8 p.m.
- Sister Sledge, Friday, August 27 at 2 p.m.
- Melissa Etheridge, Friday, August 27 at 8 p.m.
- Vixen and Great White, Saturday, August 28 with time to be announced.
- Noah Cyrus, Sunday, August 29 at 2 p.m.
- Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Sunday, August 29 with time to be announced
- Dropkick Murphys, Sunday, August 29 at 8 p.m.
- Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Monday, August 30 at 2 p.m.
- Grandson, Monday, August 30 with time to be announced
- The Oak Ridge Boys, Tuesday, August 31 at 2 p.m.
- Halestorm, Tuesday, August 31 at 8 p.m.
- Sheena Easton, Wednesday, September 1 at 2 p.m.
- Blue Oyster Cult, Wednesday, September 1 with time to be announced
- Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Thursday, September 2 with time to be announced
- Uncle Kracker, Friday, September 3 at 2 p.m.
Based on current state guidance, concerts are likely to take place on the Chevy Park stage in the New York Experience festival grounds. Attendance will be limited. Concertgoers will need a ticket to enter the concert area in addition to the $3 admission ticket to the Fair. Concert area tickets will be free of charge and available until the attendance limit is reached. Food and beverages will be available inside the concert area. Families and groups will be assigned to a designated area from which they can enjoy the concert. Masks will be required any time a person is outside their designated area.
