NYS Fair announces special entertainment program for 2024: New acts and returning favorites

The New York State Fair is bringing some new acts to its special 2024 entertainment program, as well as the return of longtime fan favorites like Hilby, the skinny German juggler.

Nerveless Nocks Productions will make its debut at the NYS Fair this year, performing a breathtaking aerial show that involves free-falling to the ground below. The thrill-and-stunt group will perform their Sway Pole Show daily near Central Park at 12pm, 3pm and 5pm.

Another newcomer to the New York State Fair, Ally Walker Inksis a chalk artist who creates stunning designs on the sidewalk, including whimsical creations and jaw-dropping masterpieces. Fairgoers can also interact with the artist and take selfies with Ally Walker Inks’ designs throughout the fairgrounds.

Returning acts include:

Hilby, the skinny German juggling boy – The Ithaca native and the fair’s most in-demand performer returns Tuesday, August 27 and will perform daily through September 2. He will perform juggling, circus skills, perfectly timed comedy and poetry in motion from the roof of a unicycle between the Dairy Products Building and the Eatery at 11:15 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Bandaloni, the one-man band will be rocking and rolling behind the Horse Barns at around 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm on all 13 days of the NYS Fair. Hear the hits played on his all-encompassing music machine, The Granpod, sprinkled with humor and offbeat tricks.

Dinosaur Expedition – More than 50 life-sized dinosaurs, measuring up to 24 meters, transform the Expo Center into a 65-million-year-old experience that includes daily fossil digs, story times and plenty of selfie opportunities. The family fun is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Groovy“ Guy Collins – Groovy Guy juggles, rides a unicycle and walks on tightropes – all while exuding mischievous magic. The Paris-based street artist will perform during the first six days of the fair, performing three times each day from August 21 to 26.

Rock-It, the robot – The 9-foot-tall robot walks, talks and rocks with a built-in sound system that helps it interact with fairgoers through conversation, song and dance. Look for Rock-It daily at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. between the Exposition Center and the Midway.

The wandering piano – Discover music on the go between the Poultry Building and along Restaurant Row, daily at around 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sea lion spray show – The 45-minute Sea Lion Splash Show offers education and entertainment, from selfies to balancing acts, handstands, performance tricks and more. Three shows take place daily at 1, 4 and 6 p.m. near the Talent Showcase Stage.

Hollywood Racing Pigs – Cheer on these hamster racers daily at 12:15pm, 3:15pm and 4:45pm in the Family Fun Zone.

Steve Trash, Eco-Magician – For the third year in a row, the PBS presenter Magic, music and ecology on the Empire Theater stage, daily except August 23* at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (On August 23, Steve Trash performs at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. along the colonnade between the Science & Industry Building and the Dairy Products Building.)

Other special entertainment options include the birds of prey Exhibition in the State Park at the fair, a Circus show (near the Family FunZone), a petting zoo (near the Family FunZone), The Butter sculpture (in the Dairy Building), the Sand Sculpture (in the Micron Center of Progress Building) and the New York State Police exhibit and tower (near the Horticulture Building).

All New York State Fair special entertainment is included in admission to the NYS Fair, which runs from Wednesday, August 21 through Labor Day on Monday, September 2. Admission also includes access to concerts featuring national artists in Chevy Court and Suburban Park.

For more information about the NYS Fair’s daily entertainment program, visit nysfair.ny.gov.