The return of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, an energized country music lineup, an increase in free concerts and new preferred track seating highlight the Erie County Fair’s at the Buffalo.com Grandstand during the 179th Fair this August.
“The energy behind this year’s Buffalo.com Grandstand lineup will be intense,” said CEO & Fair Manager Jessica Underberg. “From music legends to current chart toppers, our team worked extremely hard to find the best entertainers possible while all along trying to add more free shows and to keep ticketed shows reasonably priced.”
To celebrate the Fair’s 150th year in Hamburg, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a special sesquicentennial concert on the Fair’s Opening Night, Wednesday, August 8th at 8p. This will mark only the fifth time in the Fair’s 197 year history that the BPO has performed at the Fair. The region’s beloved orchestra previously appeared at the Fair in 1955, 1956, 1993 and 2014. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.
The number of free Buffalo.com Grandstand concerts has doubled to four shows in 2018. In addition to being FREE with gate admission access, the Fair also unveiled a new ticket pricing structure that includes a “preferred track” paid seating option for two of the Buffalo.com Grandstand’s four free concerts. The $20 per ticket option will be available for the Monday, August 13th Oak Ridge Boys show and the Tuesday, August 14th Midland concert that will provide priority seating in the center track sections. General admission seating for these shows will remain FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.
“The new preferred track option for free concerts will allow the Erie County Fair to increase its entertainment offerings as well as allow diehard fans to get the best seats possible,” said Underberg.
After last year which saw no headline country music at the Fair, officials are excited to announce that country music star Chris Young will perform on Thursday, August 9th at 7:30p. Young’s country credentials speak for themselves: Ten #1s and 17 Gold or Platinum certifications; nominations from the Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, Country Music Association, and The Recording Academy; a massive, twice-extended headlining tour; and in 2017, he became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets are $70 for preferred track, $50 for track reserved and $30 for general admission.
The legendary ZZ Top will take to the stage on Friday, August 10th at 8:30p. Known as “That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” ZZ Top lay undisputed claim to being the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact. In 2004 the Texas trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, there are only three of them – Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard — but it’s still a remarkable achievement that they’re still very much together after almost 50 years of rock, blues, and boogie on the road and in the studio. They’re real, they’re surreal and they’re ZZ Top at the Fair! Tickets are $60 for preferred track, $45 for track reserved and $30 for general admission.
The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute will return to Hamburg on Saturday, August 11th at 8p. Regarded as the best Beatles tribute band in the world, the group has travelled the globe impersonating Lennon, McCartney, Ringo, and Harrison. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.
Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell, also known as Dick Fox’s Golden Boys, will be live in concert at The Erie County Fair on Sunday, August 12th at 7:30p. These men represent three of the most popular teen idols of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The concert will spotlight each of the performers and their all-time greatest hits like “Turn Me Loose,” “Tiger” and “I’m A Man” (Fabian); “Venus,” “De De Dinah” and “Bobby Sox to Stockings” (Avalon); and “Volare,” “Wild One” and “Kissin’ Time” (Rydell). Reserved seats will be $35 and general admission tickets are $20.
Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, The Oak Ridge Boys, will return to the Erie County Fair this summer with a performance at the Buffalo.com Grandstand on Monday, August 13th at 7:30p. This will mark the band’s fifth appearance at the Fair and first since 2001. The Oak Ridge Boys’ first appearance in Hamburg was 1985 and returned again in 1986 and 1990. Known for their four-part harmonies and upbeat songs, the Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of country hits, earned five GRAMMYs®, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards. Preferred track seating for the show is $20. General admission seating is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.
The Erie County Fair is pleased to announce that Midland has been confirmed to perform on Tuesday, August 14th at 7:30p. Midland was recently named 2018’s “Best New Group” by the Academy of Country Music. Made up of singer Mark Wystrach, lead guitarist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy, Midland is the embodiment of 70’s California country, with smooth Eagles-like harmonies and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics. After endearing themselves to fans with the hit radio single “Drinkin’ Problem” and a self-titled EP, the trio of friends known as Midland unveiled their full-length debut, On the Rocks, which also features the songs “Make a Little” and “Nothin’ New Under the Neon.” Preferred track seating for the show is $20. General admission seating is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show for general admission.
Tickets for all paid shows will go on sale at 10a, Thursday, April 19th at Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30a-4:30p. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the performance.
Can tickets be bought now at the fair grounds for grandstand shows
Yes. During business hours, Monday to Friday, 9-4:30p.
Please consider bringing back the band Sawyer Brown. They put on a great show. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment about our Grandstand lineup! We’ll keep Sawyer Brown in mind.
My boyfriend is a Vietnam vet who is on dialysis 3x a WK we are hoping to have the money to see zztop I know he would love to see them
Thank you for your comment about ZZ Top. Have you nominated your boyfriend to be our Vet of the Day during our daily flag retreat ceremony? Application at: https://www.ecfair.org/p/entertainment/specialdaysandevents
Is there wheel chair seating for the shows? My mom is 86 and has to be in a wheel chair, to get around. She would like to see The Oakridge Boys
We have an accessibility deck with a ramp located in our general admission section. NOTE, GA seats for the Oak Ridge Boys are FREE, no ticket required; space on deck is on a first come basis.
You said the oak ridge boys was free first come first serve. How come when I go to your site it’s saying $20.00 a ticket?
General admission seating in Grandstand is FREE for both the Oaks & Midland. On track reserved seats are $20 for the shows.
In the GA sections are there seats or do you need lawn chairs?
GA seating is in the Grandstand. No lawn chairs needed or permitted.