Eric Church is in the midst of a sparkling run of commercial and artistic success. His new album, “The Outsiders,” pushed Church to become 2014’s top-selling country artist. The album garnered four Grammy award nominations and won critical praise for its embrace of music from rock to hip hop while still respecting country music’s traditions. His song, “Give Me Back My Hometown,” became his third #1 hit and landed on many year-end Best of 2014 lists. “Church made a great record by following his rock & roll rebel heart,” Rolling Stone magazine wrote in placing “The Outsiders” on its top 50 all-genre list for 2014. USA Today noted that Church draws “inspiration from AC/DC and Primus, as well as Waylon Jennings and Bobby Bare.”

“If you’ve ever seen Eric Church perform live, you know he’s going to rock the Grandstand. He’s going to give a great and satisfying show, and I know it’s the perfect way to kick off the 2015 Great New York State Fair,” said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner.

Church’s stage show includes an extension off the main Grandstand stage, called a thrust. Approximately 400 tickets for the pit areas created by the thrust, priced at $99, will be sold by Church exclusively through his fan club on Tuesday, January 20.

An opening performer for Eric Church will be announced at a later date.

About Grandstand Ticket Sales
Etix.com is the Fair’s official and only online ticket selling agent. Ticket prices are the same whether tickets are bought online at etix.com, on the phone at 800-514-3849, or in person at the box office. A $3.75 service fee will be added to the price of all tickets. An additional fee will be charged for the use of a credit card. There is a purchasing limit of 8 tickets per person. Most major credit cards are accepted. Your advance-sale concert ticket includes admission to the Fair.

Parking for box office sales is available in the Centro parking lot adjacent to the Main Gate beginning at 5:30 a.m., and lineup can begin at 6 a.m. Tickets for people who require wheelchair accessible seating or who have mobility disabilities, or those who are hearing impaired will go on sale at the same time as general seating tickets. Convenient parking for people with disabilities who have either the proper license plate or hanging tag will be available via the Main Gate.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 27 – September 7, 2015. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “Summer’s Best in Show,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.

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 statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.

Media Contacts:
Joe Morrissey
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
518-457-0752

Dave Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377