Entertainment

Enjoy 6 days of local and national talent on the stages throughout the fairgrounds.

2023 Entertainment – Columbia County Fair

  • The BrokenHearted – A Tribute to Tom Petty

    Sunday, Sept. 3 • 4PM

    Location: GRANDSTAND

    Fans of Tom Petty can once again experience the legendary singer’s music through The BrokenHearted, a tribute band that captures the essence of the late musician’s sound and style.

    Comprised of seasoned musicians who share a passion for Tom Petty’s music, The BrokenHearted pays homage to the iconic artist by delivering a powerful and authentic performance that leaves audiences feeling like they’ve been transported back in time to the peak of Tom Petty’s career.

    The band’s lead singer Johnny Clifford channels Petty’s distinctive voice with precision and energy, while the other members of the group provide the driving rhythms and harmonies that make up the signature sound of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

    The BrokenHearted has quickly built a dedicated following, thanks to their attention to detail and their commitment to recreating the classic songs that fans have come to know and love. From “American Girl” to “Free Fallin’,” the band delivers hit after hit in a high-energy, crowd-pleasing performance.

    Sponsored by Hudson River Bank Trust Foundation

  • Raise Your Hands – A Tribute to Bon Jovi

    Sunday, Sept. 3 • 7PM

    Location: GRANDSTAND

    If you are a fan of Bon Jovi, you will love Raise Your Hands, a tribute band that captures the spirit and energy of the legendary rockers. 

    Raise Your Hands performs all the classic hits and deep cuts from Bon Jovi’s extensive catalog, with authentic vocals, guitars, keyboards, and drums. 

    Whether you want to rock out to Livin’ on a Prayer, sing along to Always, or sway to Bed of Roses, Raise Your Hands will make you feel like you are at a Bon Jovi concert. Don’t miss this amazing show that pays homage to one of the most iconic bands of all time.

    Sponsored by Hudson River Bank Trust Foundation

  • Master of the Chainsaw

    Thursday, Aug.31 - Monday, Sept 4, 1PM, 2:30PM, 4:30PM

    Location: ON THE GROUNDS

    Masters of the Chainsaw is a limited group of the nation’s top professional chainsaw sculptors, dedicated to promoting and preserving the integrity of the art form and its performance. During a forty five-minute show, from behind protective netting, onlookers will observe an original and captivating high-energy performance. With chain saw roaring and chips flying, carver Brian Ruth’s precision and skill quickly transforms a three-foot tall log into a true work of art. Nearly every show will result with a chainsaw carving being-produced from start to finish, with as many as four chainsaw carvings per day and shows lasting up to an hour.

  • Agricadabra Magic Show

    Thursday, Aug, 31 - Monday, Sept. 4 (see daily schedules for times)

    Location: NORTH GATE STAGE

    Mixing magic with agricultural education, your host changes someone into a farmer, does some cooking with Houdini the Live Rabbit, and demonstrates the amazing 6-foot balloon.

    This show highlights agriculture within New York State. What is the average age of the farmers in your state? What percentage of farmers in your state are women? What is the difference between broiler chickens and egg layers and where your state ranks in production of each? Plus…What’s the difference between whole milk and skim milk?

    Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital

  • David Garrity: Magic & Beyond

    Thursday, Aug. 30 - Monday, Sept. 4 (see daily schedules for times)

    Location: NORTH GATE STAGE

    “Magic&Beyond” is an all-ages, one-person illusion show that features unique, theatrical and visual magic, audience participation, comedy and a custom-edited musical soundtrack. Written like a Pixar movie, there is humor and references for the adults watching as well as the children making this truly an all-ages performance. In this performance, you may see a table mysteriously float, objects that appear and disappear in the blink of an eye and witness a Houdini-style Escape Challenge!

    Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital

  • Corrie J Mentalist Comedy Show

    Thursday, Aug. 31 - Monday, Sept. 4 (see daily schedules for times)

    Location: NORTH GATE STAGE

    Hypnotist Corrie J knows that great entertainment isn’t just about him, it’s about you, the audience. That’s how you know you’re going to have a great night – because you and your friends are at the front and centre of all the fun. Hailing from beautiful Saskatoon, Hypnotist Corrie J has been entertaining crowds for decades, and uses his long experience to keep his audience engaged. So get ready to be on the edge of your seat! A dedicated family man, Hypnotist Corrie J makes sure that each and every show passes the test with his wife and young daughter first, so you can be sure that you’re in for some great, all ages entertainment that will leave you feeling like a kid again. We welcome Hypnotist Corrie J to the stage to get the show started. Prepare to be amazed as you and your friends are drawn into the magical world of hypnosis.

    Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital

  • Marty McDermott

    Thursday, Aug. 31, 6-10PM

    Location: UPPER ENTERTAINMENT GARDEN

    Marty McDermott born in the borough of Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Bayside, Queens in a middle-class/working class neighborhood that was filled with the textures, sounds and sights of the sixties USA…! Currently leads the Albany based party/variety band, the REVERBERATORS, also plays in the Americana band, Far North, performs as a solo artist and in various duos throughout the Capital District/Hudson Valley region.

  • Acoustic Rye

    Friday, Sept. 1, 6-10PM

    Location: UPPER ENTERTAINMENT GARDEN

    Check out a down home band that plays a variety of music from the late 1980’s til now, including blues, bluegrass, country and of course, “Good Old Rock and Roll.”

  • Beer Stained Fiddle

    Sunday, Sept. 3, 1-5PM

    Location: UPPER ENTERTAINMENT GARDEN

    Beer Stained Fiddle is a string band playing Bluegrass, Americana, Appalacian folk, and Jam band genres. All band members sing and are from Columbia County. Mike Pagnani on fiddle, Brian Tipple on banjo, Andy Andrewski on cajon, Scott Malony on upright bass, Steve Hills on guitar, Eugine Krien on mandolin and Tom Meyers on dobro.

  • JARROD

    Saturday, Sept. 2, 6-10PM

    Location: UPPER ENTERTAINMENT GARDEN

    The well know local group Jarrod returns to the Upper Beer Garden with Dick Leavitt, Joe Clapper, Jack Bogarski and new members Frank Wildermuth and Aaron Perry, playing your favorite classic rock & roll tunes that we all know and love to hear.

  • Joe Adee Band

    Sunday, Sept. 3, 6-10PM

    Location: UPPER ENTERTAINMENT GARDEN

    When two amazing musicians got together with a husband and wife team, magic happened and “Joe Adee & The Lug Nuts “ was created. Our genres include Johnny Cash, Bill Withers, Ray Charles, Buddy Guy, ZZTop, Doors, Allmand Brothers, Jimmy Hendrix, Van Morrison just to name few. Blues, folk, gspel, old country, southern rock, and R&B. Good music for the whole family.

  • The Ghent Band

    Monday, Sept. 4, 10AM

    Location: NORTH GATE STAGE

    Since 1899 The Ghent Band has performed a classic town band repertoire of marches, overtures, show tunes and more.

    Sponsored by Columbia Memorial Hospital

Such a great Fair every year. This year 2021 was my First year back since I was in elementary school which was decades back. You all worked so hard and did a wonderful job I’ll continue coming back every year.

– Jonathan B.

Love It! Nice country Fair.

– Theresa C.

Definitely the best county fair I have ever been to! The tree-lined grounds are lovely. A nice mix of attractions and exhibits with phenomenal entertainment; well worth the price of admission.

– Linda A.