Preferred track seating ticket option added for two free shows
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 Buffalo.com Grandstand during the 179th event this August.
"The energy behind this year's Buffalo.com Grandstand lineup will be intense," CEO and Fair Manager Jessica Underberg said. "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 Erie County Fair's 150th year in Hamburg, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a special sesquicentennial concert on the fair's opening night, Wednesday, Aug. 8 (8 p.m.). This will mark only the fifth time in the event's 197-year history that the BPO has performed at the Erie County Fair. The region's orchestra previously appeared in 1955, 1956, 1993 and 2014. The show is free with gate admission. No Grandstand ticket is required for entry.
There were no headline country music concerts at last year's Erie County Fair. As such, officials said they are excited to announce country music star Chris Young will perform Thursday, Aug. 9 (7:30 p.m.). Young's country credentials include 10 No. 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 membership in 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 Friday, Aug. 10 (8:30 p.m.). 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. 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, Aug. 11 (8 p.m.). Regarded as a top Beatles tribute band, 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.
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, Aug. 12 (7:30 p.m.). 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, including "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 Grandstand on Monday, Aug. 13 (7:30 p.m.). 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 they 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 Grammy and 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.
Midland has been confirmed to perform on Tuesday, Aug. 14 (7:30 p.m.). 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 '70s 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.
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 Erie County Fair also unveiled a new ticket pricing structure that includes a "preferred track" paid seating option for two of the Grandstand's four free concerts. The $20 per ticket option will be available for the Oak Ridge Boys show and the Midland concert, which will provide priority seating in the center track sections. General admission seating for these shows will remain free with gate admission to the Erie County 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," Underberg said.
Tickets for all paid shows will go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at
www.tickets.com, by phone at 1-888-223-6000, or in person at the Erie County Fairgrounds main office (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays). Tickets purchased prior to the day of the show include admission to the Erie County Fair on the day of the performance.
The 179th Erie County Fair will be held Aug. 8-19. Visit
www.ECFair.org.