State Fair’s Labor Day “Summer Send-Off” Features the Return of Fireworks, Sponsored by National Grid

The Great New York State Fair is turning its final day into a very special occasion.  The Fair’s Labor Day  “Summer Send-Off” on Monday, Sept. 1 features the final Chevy Court concert by the Doobie Brothers at a new time, and the return of fireworks to the Fair in a finale at dusk thanks to National Grid, State Fair Acting Director Troy Waffner announced today.

“This is our way of saying thank you to the Fair’s amazing fans, who have been with us every step of the way for decades.  We’ve put a lot of hard work into rejuvenating the Fair and want to give people a chance to go out with a real celebration this year,” said Waffner.

The final Chevy Court concert has been moved up to 6:00 p.m. from its customary 8:00 p.m. as some fans tend to head home early on that last day before heading back to work or school.  The Fair chose rock legends The Doobie Brothers because, as Waffner said, “this band’s performances are always a great party.”

There is no better way to close this year’s event than with a spectacular fireworks display that is sure to delight fairgoers both young and old. Thanks to National Grid, the Fair is bringing back a top-quality fireworks display, not seen at the Fairgrounds in several years.  The fireworks take place at dusk -- an appropriate way to close the 2014 Fair at a time that allows families to get home at a reasonable hour.

“The New York State Fair is a perennial favorite that continues to delight thousands of people each year,” said Melanie Littlejohn, regional executive of National Grid Central New York division. “National Grid’s support of the fireworks display is a great way to revive a popular tradition and to help make lasting memories.”

The Summer Send-off will close one of the most significant fairs in the long history of the Great New York State Fair.  More than two dozen new attractions, events, and activities will come to the Fair this year – an unprecedented amount of change and improvement.  The changes are highlighted by the all-new Wade Shows Midway, but also by the new Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit and Great Lakes shipwrecks exhibit, new Fair mascots Pop and Candy, new grounds entertainment, and much more.  In addition, the Fair has brought back or enhanced favorites such as the fireworks, the return of the Wine Court to the Colonnade, and the expansion of the Cow Birthing Center.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 21 – September 1, 2014.  The Fair’s mission, reflected in its 2014 theme, “Summer’s Best in Show,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.  This year’s tagline – “New Attractions, Old Favorites, Timeless Fun” – highlights the more than two dozen new events and attractions and the expansion or enhancement of several Fairgoer favorites.

In addition to the annual New York State Fair, the Fairgrounds host dozens of agricultural events throughout the year, including some of the Northeast’s most prestigious horse and livestock shows.

The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website.  Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, and enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/nysfair. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at [email protected].