List of performers at the York Fair

The York State Fair is a ten-day fair held in July/August in York, Pennsylvania. Formerly known as the York Fair and held in September, it was renamed and rescheduled for 2020, though canceled that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2][3] It is one of the oldest fairs in the country, tracing its roots to 1765.[4][5][6][7][8][9] Fair organizers reported a record attendance in 2012 of over 640,000.[10] Over the last six decades, the fair has drawn a broad set of notable musicians and comedians, listed here by year of performance.[11]

Previous decades

1960s performers

• 1960[12][13]
  • Liberace
  • Pat Boone
• 1961[12]
  • Dion
  • Johnny and the Hurricanes
  • Little Anthony and the Imperials
  • The Regents
• 1962[12]
  • Jimmy Durante
  • Ricky Nelson
• 1963[14]
  • Anita Bryant and "Bullwinkle"
  • Guy Lombardo and Dennis Day
  • Myron Floren and Jo Ann Castle
  • Frank Fontaine
• 1964[12]
  • Connie Francis
  • Harry James
• 1965[12]
  • Eydie Gormé
  • The Animals
  • The Kingston Trio
• 1966[12]
  • Brenda Lee
  • Gary Lewis & the Playboys
• 1967[12]
  • Johnny Tillotson
  • The Critters
• 1968[12]
  • Bobby Vinton
  • James Brown and his Fabulous Flames
• 1969[12]
  • The Cowsills
  • Jimmy Dean

1970s performers

• 1970[12]
  • Hank Williams, Jr.
  • The Banana Splits
  • The Vogues
• 1971[12]
  • Dolly Parton
  • Lynn Anderson
  • Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
• 1972[12]
  • Del Reeves
  • Sonny and Cher
  • Tex Ritter
• 1973
  • Bob Hope
  • Boots Randolph and Bobby Goldsboro
• 1974[12]
  • Bobby Vinton
  • Tony Orlando and Dawn
• 1975
  • Sha Na Na
  • Lynn Anderson
  • Duke Ellington Orchestra
  • Glenn Miller Orchestra
• 1976[12]
  • Paul Revere and the Raiders
  • Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
  • Red Skelton and Lynn Anderson
  • Mac Davis
  • Tanya Tucker
  • Kip Addotta
• 1977[12]
  • Bobby Vinton
  • Mel Tillis and Freddy Fender
  • Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.
  • The Sylvers and Starbuck
• 1978[12]
  • The Statler Brothers
  • B. J. Thomas
  • Pat and Debby Boone
• 1979[12]
  • Chubby Checker
  • The Oak Ridge Boys and Stella Parton
  • Leif Garrett
  • Orleans
  • Peaches and Herb
  • Sister Sledge
  • The Shirelles
  • The Vogues

1980s performers

• 1980[12]
  • Bill Cosby
  • The Charlie Daniels Band
• 1981[12][15]
  • Air Supply
  • Johnny Cash
  • The Statler Brothers
  • Willie Nelson
  • John Schneider and Brenda Lee
  • Bluegrass Festival with The Dillards, John Hartford, and local bands
  • International Circus
• 1982[12]
  • Willie Nelson
  • Rick Springfield
• 1983[12]
  • Kenny Rogers
  • Eddie Rabbitt and Louise Mandrell
  • Cheap Trick
  • Stevie Ray Vaughan
  • The Greg Kihn Band
• 1984[12]
  • The Osmonds
  • The Go-Gos
• 1985[12]
  • Engelbert Humperdinck
  • The Judds
  • The Golden Boys of Bandstand featuring Fabian, Frankie Avalon, and Bobby Rydell
• 1986
  • Alabama
  • Willie Nelson
  • The Statler Brothers
• 1987[12]
  • Tom Jones
  • Chicago
  • Kool and the Gang
  • Lee Greenwood and George Jones
• 1988[12]
  • Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine
  • Otis Day and the Knights
  • Spencer Davis
  • Steppenwolf
  • Tiffany
  • The Tokens
• 1989[12]
  • Tiny Tim
  • 38 Special
  • New Kids On The Block

1990s performers

• 1990[12]
  • Reba McEntire
  • Sweethearts of the Rodeo
  • Battle of the Bands: Sahara, The Morris Brothers Band, Savage Bliss, Johnny's Secret, Wired, B.C. Roberts, Hyde Your Daughters, and Public Affection
• 1991[16]
  • The Statler Brothers
  • Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
  • Kix
  • Sandi Patti
  • Alabama
  • Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood
• 1992[12]
  • Clint Black
  • The Turtles
  • The Mamas and the Papas
  • The Grass Roots
• 1993[12]
  • Garth Brooks with Stephanie Davis
  • Billy Ray Cyrus
  • Alan Jackson with Allen Collin
  • Petra with Cindy Morgan
• 1994[12]
  • Brooks and Dunn with Martina McBride
  • Alan Jackson with Faith Hill
  • Kix
• 1995
  • Boyz II Men[17]
  • Alabama[18]
• 1996[12]
  • Julio Iglesias
  • Michael Bolton
  • The Corrs
  • Alan Jackson with Wade Hayes[19]
  • Vince Gill[19]
• 1997[12]
  • Alan Jackson and Alabama[20]
  • Musicfest with the Goo Goo Dolls
  • INXS
  • Vince Gill
  • Kenny Chesney[21]
  • Tanya Tucker with John Berry
  • LeAnn Rimes
  • Bryan White[20]
  • 4Him and Point of Grace
• 1998[12]
  • Backstreet Boys[22]
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • The Badlees
• 1999[12]
  • Britney Spears with 98 Degrees
  • Def Leppard
  • Brad Paisley
  • Sawyer Brown

2000s performers

• 2000[12]
  • Travis Tritt
  • Sammy Kershaw[23]
  • REO Speedwagon
  • Doobie Brothers
• 2001[24]
  • Brooks & Dunn[12]
  • Kenny Chesney and Lee Ann Womack[21]
  • Journey[12]
  • O-Town[12]
  • Ted Nugent[12]
  • Alabama[12]
  • Night Ranger[12]
  • 3 Doors Down with Nickelback[25]
• 2002[12]
  • Foreigner
  • Jeff Foxworthy
  • Aaron Carter[26]
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Toby Keith[27]
• 2003[12]
  • Poison
  • Wynonna Judd
  • The Platters and The Coasters
  • The Drifters
• 2004[12]
  • Bowling For Soup
  • Lonestar with Buddy Jewell
  • Clay Aiken
  • Live
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • Kid Rock
  • Negative Space
  • Parade of high school bands
• 2005[12]
  • The Allman Brothers Band
  • Gretchen Wilson
  • Tim McGraw
• 2006[12]
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Brad Paisley
  • Larry the Cable Guy
  • Staind
  • Styx
• 2007[12]
  • Daughtry[28]
  • Bill Engvall
  • Carrie Underwood[29]
  • Josh Gracin/Trace Adkins
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd[30]
  • Hinder[31]
  • Randy Owen (of Alabama)
  • Trace Adkins
  • Willie Nelson
• 2008[12]
  • ZZ Top
  • Larry the Cable Guy
  • Daughtry
  • Breaking Benjamin and Seether
  • Brooks & Dunn (cancelled)[32]
  • Danity Kane (cancelled)
  • Blake Shelton
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Gavin DeGraw
• 2009[12][33]
  • Trace Adkins
  • Kelly Clarkson
  • David Cook
  • Alice Cooper
  • Jeff Dunham
  • Trapt
  • Halestorm
  • Pop Evil

2010s performers

• 2010[12]
  • Lady Antebellum and Love and Theft
  • Selena Gomez and Allstar Weekend
  • Shinedown and Rev Theory and Sore Eyes
  • Seether and Hinder and Black Stone Cherry
  • TNA Wrestling
  • Jason Aldean and Uncle Kracker
  • Terry Fator
• 2011[12]
  • Big Time Rush
  • Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
  • Toby Keith with Eric Church
  • TNA Wrestling
  • 3 Doors Down
  • Greyson Chance and Cody Simpson
• 2012[34]
  • Grandstand:
    • R5, Shane Cover
    • Luke Bryan with Easton Corbin
    • Blake Shelton[35] with Sunny Sweeney
    • REO Speedwagon
    • Jeff Dunham
    • Allstar Weekend with New Hollow
  • Great Country Radio Stage (sponsored by WGTY):

JT Hodges, Andy Gibson, Randy Houser, Casey James, Thomas Rhett, Kristen Kelly, Dustin Lynch, Greg Bates, The Farm, Lauren Alaina, Due West, Katie Armiger

• 2013
  • Halestorm[36]
  • Tom Keifer[36]
  • Florida Georgia Line[37]
  • Colt Ford[37]
  • The Marshall Tucker Band[38]
  • The Outlaws[38]
  • Lauren Alaina[38]
  • Alan Jackson[39]
  • Austin Mahone
  • Coco Jones
• 2014
  • Grandstand:
    • Jeff Dunham[40]
    • Hunter Hayes[41]
    • Jackyl with Molly Hatchet[42]
    • Lady Antebellum with Joe Nichols[43]
    • McClain[44]
  • Great Country Radio Stage:[45]

Dakota Bradley and Sam Hunt, Brothers Osborne and Josh Thompson, Chase Rice, Lucy Hale, John King, Maggie Rose, Canaan Smith, Jamie Lynn Spears, The Swon Brothers, Austin Webb and Jana Kramer

• 2015
  • Grandstand:
    • Alabama[46][47]
    • Brantley Gilbert with A Thousand Horses[47]
    • Andy Grammer and American Authors[47]
    • John Kay & Steppenwolf with Foghat[47]
    • Cole Swindell[47]
  • Great Country Radio Stage:[47]

Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Chase Bryant, Cam, Chris Janson, LoCash, Mo Pitney, Canaan Smith, Drake White

• 2016[48]
  • Grandstand:
    • Alabama
    • Jeff Dunham
    • Tyler Farr
    • Chase Rice with Parmalee
    • Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Tone Lōc, Young MC and Color Me Badd
  • Radio Stage:

Runaway June and Lauren Alaina, Trent Harmon, Jordan Rager, Michael Ray, Craig Campbell, Brooke Eden, Jerrod Niemann, High Valley, Brett Young, Dylan Scott

• 2017[49][50]
  • Grandstand:
    • Frankie Ballard, Michael Ray, and Danielle Bradbery
    • Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy
    • Lynyrd Skynyrd
    • Thomas Rhett
  • Radio Stage:

William Michael Morgan, Adam Craig, High Valley, Luke Combs, Midland, Seth Ennis, Jordan Davis, Canaan Smith

• 2018
  • Grandstand:
    • 5 Seconds of Summer, with The Aces[51]
    • Alice Cooper[52]
    • American Idol Live! 2018, with Forever in Your Mind[51]
    • Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias[53]
    • MercyMe[51]
    • Old Dominion, with Walker Hayes[54]
    • Sesame Street Live[55]
  • Radio Stage:[56]

Trent Harmon, Jordan Davis, LANCO, Lindsay Ell, William Michael Morgan (replaced Morgan Evans), Jimmie Allen, Dylan Schneider, Joe Nichols, Mitchell Tenpenny

• 2019
  • Grandstand:[57][58]
    • Bethel Music
    • Darci Lynne
    • Brantley Gilbert
    • Kent McCord
    • Brad Paisley
    • Tesla, Jackyl, and KIX
    • Travis Tritt and the Charlie Daniels Band
  • Radio Stage:[59]
    • Jimmie Allen, Drew Baldridge, Gabby Barrett, Tyler Farr, Hardy, Walker Hayes, High Valley, Ryan Hurd, Seaforth, Matt Stell

2020s performers

• 2020

canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]

References

1. Santos, Jaleny Reyes (November 15, 2018). "The York Fair will move to July/August starting in 2020". York Daily Record. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
2. Boeckel, Teresa (July 24, 2019). "York Fair changing its name when it moves to July in 2020". York Daily Record. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
3. Stutelan, Edward (May 27, 2020). "York State Fair canceled due to coronavirus". PennLive. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
4. Kubin, Jacquie (September 7, 2008). "Day Tripper: The York County Fair runs through September 14th". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
5. "York Fair: Our History". York County Agricultural Society. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
6. Peckham, Betty Clock (1946). The story of a dynamic community, York, Pennsylvania. York Chamber of Commerce.
7. "The York Fair". b Magazine. Fall 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
8. "Going Back Decades -- Even Centuries". The Washington Post. July 26, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2013. Tracing its origins to 1765 [...] the old-timey York Fair [...] proclaims itself to be 'America's first.'
9. "York Fair to Open Tuesday". The Gettysburg Times. September 10, 1955. p. 3. Retrieved January 5, 2013. This fair, one of the oldest and largest in the nation, is expected to attract an attendance of over 300,000 persons from six nearby states and the District of Columbia
10. Shank, Chelsea (September 17, 2012). "2012 York Fair sets attendance record". Tribune Company. Retrieved January 1, 2013. According to a news release from Gene Schenck, York Fair president, the 2012 fair's total attendance tally – 642,263 visitors – is a new record.
11. Gulden, Dave (2005). York Fair: America's First Fair from Then Until Now. Pennsylvania State University. OCLC 62876488.
12. "Which acts played the York Fair the year you were born?". York Daily Record. September 8, 2011. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
13. McClure, Joe (November 15, 2013). "John F. Kennedy's visits to Harrisburg area drew thousands". pennlive.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017. in September 1960... TV personality Arthur Godfrey promoted the York Fair, whose performers that year included Pat Boone and Liberace.
14. Zelko, Abbey. "Why the York Fair turned down the Beatles in 1963". FlipSidePA. York Daily Record. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
15. "Willie Nelson to Appear at York Fair". Reading Eagle. July 26, 1981. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
16. Aparicio, Nestor (August 29, 1991). "Arts and entertainment season preview POP MUSIC". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
17. "Talent lineup, weather credited for York Fair's 2nd best run. (Pennsylvania)". Amusement Business. Highbeam Business. October 2, 1995. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2013. Boyz II Men set a record for attendance and gross
18. Willistein, Paul (September 7, 1995). "Shows Did Well At Fair Grandstand; Acts Grossed $1 Million". The Morning Call. Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 4, 2013. York Fair had announced Alabama last year [...]. So a lot of Alabama's area fans saw the group at York this year
19. "Hurricane Fran affects York Fair, but grandstand still strong draw. (York Interstate Fair)". Amusement Business. Highbeam Business. September 30, 1996. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2013. Alan Jackson, with Wade Hayes, drew 9,825 (Sept. 12)
20. "The York Fair offers 10 days of fun, food and entertainment". Gettysburg Times. September 4, 1997. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
21. Hicks, Larry A. (September 12, 2008). "York Fair caught full measure of bad luck". The York Dispatch. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
22. "The 241st York Fair Starts Sept. 9". Gettysburg Times. August 31, 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2013. Gov. Tom Ridge escorted his daughter to see the Backstreet Boys' performance during the 1998 Fair
23. "Featured Photos". York Daily Record. August 13, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2012. the guitar [...] Sammy Kershaw gave them at the York Fair in 2000
24. Powell, Tom (October 1, 2001). "Terrorist Attacks Take Toll On Attendance At York Fair". Amusement Business. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
25. "Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" Leaps To The #1 Slot On Billboard's "Mainstream Rock" And "Modern Rock" Charts". Music Industry News Network. September 16, 2001. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
26. Goodlin, Lori (September 16, 2006). "Fair brings out Yorkers of all stripes". The York Dispatch. Retrieved January 5, 2013. My first trip to the fair since the 2002 Aaron Carter concert
27. "Toby Keith talks about his time with the USO and his new album". Flipside. York Daily Record. September 7, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2013. Toby Keith will perform at the York Fair this year. [...] He last stopped at the Toyota Grandstand in 2002.
28. "Daughtry concerts". GigFodder. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
29. "Carrie Underwood concerts". GigFodder. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
30. Mullarkey, Mary Beth (September 18, 2007). "Skynyrd's back in York". The Spartan. York College of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
31. "Hinder concerts". GigFodder. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
32. Julius, Melissa (September 11, 2008). "Brooks & Dunn cancel Sept. 11 York Fair concert". Lancaster Newspapers. Retrieved January 1, 2013. tonight's concert at the York Fair has been cancelled due to Ronnie Dunn's 'severe respiratory illness.'
33. "More Star Performers". pennlive.com. PennLive. September 10, 2009. Archived from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
34. "York Fair: Events". York County Agricultural Society. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
35. McCracken, Erin (September 13, 2012). "Blake Shelton surprised at 'spring break' size crowd in September at the York Fair". York Daily Record. Tribune Newspapers. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
36. Hatmaker, Julia (September 9, 2013). "Halestorm at the York Fair: 5 best songs from the concert". The Patriot-News. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
37. Durkin, Mollie (September 11, 2013). "Florida Georgia Line brings party attitude to York Fair grandstand". The York Dispatch. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
38. "Music at the Fair". The York Dispatch. September 12, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
39. McNatt, Linda (October 9, 2013). "Ride revenue up despite record heat at the York Fair". carnivalwarehouse.com. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
40. McCracken, Erin (September 12, 2014). "Jeff Dunham brings cast of characters to the York Fair, fans name favorites". FlipSidePa. York Newspaper Company. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
41. McCracken, Erin (September 13, 2014). "Hunter Hayes shares 'Storyline' at York Fair, fans make projects to catch his eye". FlipSidePa. York Newspaper Company. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
42. Czech, Ted (September 4, 2015). "Jackyl at the York Fair: Seven facts you should know about Southern hard rock band". FlipSidePA. York Newspaper Company. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
43. Lautenberger, Jeff (September 6, 2014). "Photos: Lady Antebellum at the York Fair". York Daily Record. Retrieved April 17, 2015. Lady Antebellum and Joe Nichols performed at the York Fair on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014.
44. Oskin, Allison (September 10, 2014). "McClain Performs on Fox43". WPMT. Retrieved April 17, 2015. Wednesday you can see them at the York Fair
45. McCracken, Erin (September 3, 2014). "Great Country Radio Stage brings Lucy Hale, Jamie Lynn Spears, The Swon Brothers to York Fair". FlipSidePA. York Newspaper Company. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
46. "Alabama will return to the York Fair in 2015". FlipSidePA. York Daily Record. December 15, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
47. Frost, Samuel (September 10, 2015). "Your guide to concerts at the 2015 York Fair". The York Dispatch. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
48. Zelko, Abbey (August 19, 2016). "5 York Fair acts to see: Salt-N-Pepa, Jeff Dunham". FlipSidePA. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
49. Sadowski, Stephanie (September 5, 2017). "York Fair 2017 guide: Where to park, what to eat, who's performing and more". PennLive. PA Media Group. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
50. Machcinski, Anthony J. (August 9, 2017). "5 things to know ahead of the York Fair". York Daily Record. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
51. Schweigert, Keith (September 18, 2018). "York Fair attendance drops by more than 100,000; organizers point to rainy weather as a factor". WPMT. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
52. Pavoncello, John A. (September 7, 2018). "Rock legend Alice Cooper opens York Fair Grandstands". York Dispatch. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
53. Iglesias, Gabriel (September 8, 2018). "Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias: One Show Fits All World Tour". Facebook. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
54. Gaeta, Marissa (September 21, 2018). "Experiencing Culture: 253 Years Later... and We Still Love the York Fair". The York Review. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
55. Sagert, Dawn J. (September 8, 2018). "Sesame Street Live brightens stage at York Fair". York Dispatch. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
56. Gleiter, Dan (September 7, 2018). "York Fair 2018 opens at the York Fairgrounds". The Patriot-News. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
57. Locurto, Tina (September 17, 2019). "York Fair attendance rebounded from 2018 slump". York Dispatch. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
58. Krajcsik, Janet (September 2019). "York Fair 2019: Here is everything you need to know including prices, parking and more". The Patriot-News. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
59. Franklin, Mark (July 8, 2019). "Gabby Barrett Coming to York, Pa., in September". Idol Chatter. Retrieved November 10, 2019.

External links

• York Fair