A comment from a veteran observer, sniffed out recently by State Fair Hound, advanced an intriguing theory about the future of musical entertainment at the New York State Fair. He believes that soon major concerts will be relocated from the cozy confines of Chevrolet Court to the spacious pastures of the New York Experience area.
Considering how cramped and crowded Chevy Court becomes when a major act plays there, it’s an idea whose time may have come. The Experience stage was placed in a corner, facing a slightly-sloping open area that certainly has the potential for future development. There will be some planning and figuring needed before starting work on development into what would essentially become a festival grounds, but it could work out very nicely.
A temporary stage had to be erected for the Experience concerts, and they could continue to do that, at least in the short run. Prior to the renovation of the grounds, the Grandstand stage was built before every Fair and torn down prior to Labor Day for motorsport events and that was OK.
Another option would be for both stages to continue to host concerts without actually designating one as the primary venue. Really, what’s the point? Just book great acts and place them wherever makes sense at the time.
The Fair should really work on seating, technical support, amenities and patron transportation before going all in on the Experience Stage, but it could all work out.