The Erie County Fair has released its full Gusto Grandstand schedule for the 180th Erie County Fair this August. Highlights of the lineup includes two free, “Throwback Thursday” concerts, an appearance by the “last of the hell drivers” Tonny Petersen and already announced mainstage shows including Kane Brown and Gabriel Iglesias.
“This is the most eclectic mix of acts and events that has ever been put together for the Gusto Grandstand,” said CEO & Fair Manager Jessica Underberg. “From top national touring comics to current chart toppers and five nights of free shows, our team worked extremely hard to find the best entertainers possible while all along trying to keep ticketed shows reasonably priced.”
Newly announced events include two free “throwback” concerts featuring classic rockers Foghat on Thursday, August 8th at 8p and six-time country vocal group of the year and Grammy Award winners Diamond Rio on Thursday August 15th at 8p. The PettyBreakers, the world’s foremost Tom Petty tribute experience will take to the stage on Friday, August 9th for a free performance at 8:30p following the Firefighter’s Day Parade. FreestyleMX.com action will perform a free show on Tuesday, August 13th.
The wildest and most spectacular summertime stunts, crashes and thrills return during the Fair’s motor event series. The “Last of the Hell Drivers” 81-year-old Tonny Petersen has been added to the bill of the Ultimate Night of Destruction on Saturday, August 17th at 7p. Petersen descends from a long line of classic fair stunt drivers that includes Lucky Teter, Jack Kochman and Joey Chitwood. Petersen will be part of the night’s events that includes the ever-popular school bus demo spectacular and the compact car double figure 8 racing championship. The World’s Largest Demolition Derby, Sunday August 18th, 1:00p & 6:00p will welcome more than 100 cars from across Western New York to the Fairgrounds to see who can outlast the rest.
NOTE: Tickets for all Motor Event Series shows go on sale Saturday, June 1st at 10am and will be available for purchase at Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office until 1pm.
The complete 2019 Gusto Grandstand Schedule for the 180th Erie County Fair, including already announced shows and artists:
Darci Lynne Farmer, who at just 12-years of age won NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” for her singing ventriloquism, will bring her all new Fresh Out of the Box Tour to the Gusto Grandstand at the Erie County Fair on Wednesday, August 7th at 7:30p. General admission tickets are $20; reserved track seats at $30/$38.
Rock and blues icons Foghat take a “Slow Ride” to the Erie County Fair with a performance on Thursday, August 8th at 8p. Owners of eight gold records, as well as one platinum and one double-platinum album, Foghat continues to tour the world, satisfying their longtime followers and making new fans along the way. “Slow Ride,” ”Fool For the City” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You” are among Foghat’s hits. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.
Following the Firefighter’s Parade, The PettyBreakers (Tom Petty Tribute) will take stage on Friday, August 9th at 8:30p. The PettyBreakers are the premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute act. Based out of Southern California, this band is comprised of veteran musicians with decades of experience performing in tribute acts, recording and performing with international bands. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians, will bring his “Beyond The Fluffy World Tour” to the 180th Erie County Fair’s Gusto Grandstand on Saturday, August 10th, 2019 at 8p. General admission tickets at $28; reserved seats will be $55/$40.
One of ONLY three “masters” level races being held in the world during 2019, the Erie County Fair will host the North American Drone Masters Race on Sunday, August 11th at 7p. Pilots from around the world will compete for spots in the AI World Championship Grand Final in China. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.
Rising country artist Kane Brown will take to the stage on Monday, August 12th, 2019 at 8p. As one of country music’s most compelling rising stars, Brown’s latest album, Experiment, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart during the fall of 2018. With that honor, Brown joined Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean as the only country artists to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The singer is also the first male country artist to debut at the top with a sophomore release in 24 years. The last artist to equal that feat was Tim McGraw in 1994. Only general admission tickets remain; priced at $55.
FreestyleMX.com brings its freestyle motocross riders to the Erie County Fair on Tuesday, August 13th at 7p. The show will feature some of the best tricks and whips of the sport of freestyle motocross including Superman seat grabs and cliff hangers. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.
An ensemble lineup of legendary pop music superstars from the 60s & 70s return to the Erie County Fair’s Gusto Grandstand in 2019. The Happy Together Tour will take to the stage on Wednesday, August 14th at 7:30p. This year’s lineup features The Turtles, Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Buckinghams, The Classics IV and The Cowsills. Preferred track seats at $35, reserved track seats at $30 and general admission tickets are $25.
Thursday August 15th at 8p will be “country” throwback night with the legendary Diamond Rio. Formed in 1989 in Nashville, TN the band has sold more than 10 million albums, won a Grammy Award, a Dove Award and six Vocal Group of the Year wins (CMA and ACM). Diamond Rio’s hits include ‘How Your Love Makes Me Feel,’ ‘One More Day,’ ‘Beautiful Mess,’ ‘Unbelievable,’ ‘In A Week or Two,’ and many more. The show is FREE with gate admission to the Fair. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry to the show.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show, the leading Pink Floyd show in the world, performs on Friday, August 16th at 8p. Striving to reproduce the Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show includes a stunning light and laser show, video animations, filmed sequences on a large LED screen and other special effects. Tickets start at $28 for general admission and $40/$55 for reserved seating
Ultimate Night of Destruction, Saturday, August 17, 7p. – An evening of family fun with free admission for children 12 and under to the Gusto Grandstand! The 2019 Ultimate Night of Destruction will feature the full size and small School Bus Demo Spectacular, the Compact Car Double Figure 8 Racing Championship and a special appearance by the “Last of the Hell Drivers” 81-year-old motorsport legend Tonny Petersen. Produced by JM Motorsport Productions. Tickets are $18; Kids 12 and under are free with paid adult ticket.
World’s Largest Demolition Derby, August 18, 1:00p & 6:00p, Tickets: $22 – This annual event welcomes more than 100 cars from across Western New York to the Fairgrounds to see who can outlast the rest. Cars must navigate the track to keep damage to a minimum if they are to win the heat and make it into the finals. Prior to each heat, cars are judged by the crowd as to who has the wildest and wackiest decorations. Produced by JM Motorsport Productions.
Tickets for paid shows are available at Tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Fairgrounds Main Office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00a-4:30p. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the performance.
About the Erie County Fair
The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The 180th Erie County Fair will be held August 7th – 18th, 2019. (www.ECFair.org)
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