While the 2021 New York State Fair had its highs and lows, the big stage in the wide-open prairie at the western end of the grounds–recently renamed Chevy Park–really came into its own as a concert venue. 
The huge crowds that gathered near the pond for shows during this year’s Fair demonstrated that the massive, slightly sloping lawn can provide a satisfying experience for tens of thousands of fans.
There were a few food vendors nearby, but expansion of amenities is both likely and necessary as the development of the site moves forward. Great things should be expected in the future for that venue, but there a few questions to ponder.
First, isn’t the burgeoning potential at Chevy Park proof that a state-of-the-art concert venue should have been built there as a permanent part of the Fairgrounds? The poorly-conceived and sadly mismanaged Lakeview Amphitheater continues to disappoint fans and interfere with State Fair events from its toxic waste bed site. Really, have you ever heard and read as many complaints and criticisms of a concert setting in local media?
If the venue was where it should be–the site of Chevy Park–it would support the State Fair by thrilling fans and providing patronage to vendors while lighting up the proverbial marquee with illustrious names. Sure, the park does those things now, but a well-run, ticketed venue of that size could book top acts that are financially impossible in the current free format. We would only hope that the promoter would do a better job than what’s happening at the amp. 
But we’re stuck with Randy Andy’s dumb decision, so the focus now should be maximizing the Chevy Park experience. It all starts with the stage and planners should be considering whether a permanent stage should be constructed on that site.
The stage that was used this year was nicely done, but it was built just for the Fair only to be dismantled after Labor Day. Thus, absent the construction of a year-round stage there, another temporary structure will be necessary for the 2022 Fair. That could be workable as it was for decades with the grandstand stage, but it seems reasonable that the one-time erection of something permanent would be more cost effective over the long run.
Such a move would allow for three seasons of shows there, remembering that consideration of stage orientation would be necessary as as fans currently face west into the setting sun. With most late August Fair concerts starting at 8 p.m., the sun is nearly out of sight before the music starts, but earlier in the summer it would be a problem.
Such a permanent venue would be great spot for large music festivals and multi-day events. There would need to be serious discussion of how it would conflict with the amp as there are certainly similarities between the two venues. There are also significant differences as the Fairgrounds offers use of the nearby camping facilities and possibly some of the Fairgrounds’ other services, such as food stands, vendor space and maybe even the Chevy Court site.
Even if such an undertaking never happens, Fair music fans should be excited about the future of Chevy Park, especially in concert (pun intended) with Chevy Court.
