Pride Day Celebrates New York's LGBT Community, Joins Fair's Roster of Special Days with Flag Raising, Information Fair & Free Melissa Etheridge Concert

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the 2015 Great New York State Fair will feature a “Pride Day” in celebration of New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The designation will take place on Friday, August 28 to formalize what had been for many years an informal gathering at the Fair by members of the LGBT community.

Pride Day at the Fair will begin with the raising of the Rainbow Flag at the Main Gate of the Fairgrounds followed by a day-long information fair linking fairgoers to various organizations. Pride Day will also feature a ceremony that includes speakers from the LGBT community and a prominent presence in the Fair’s daily parade. In addition, the LGBT booth, which has been staffed for 15 years by local advocacy agencies, will occupy its customary spot in the Center of Progress Building.

Pride Day at the Fair will conclude with a free Chevy Court concert at 8 p.m. from Melissa Etheridge, the Grammy-award winning rock star who has campaigned for LGBT equality since coming out in 1993.

Pride Day is in addition to several special days at the Fair including Law Enforcement Day, Armed Forces Day, two Senior Days, the new Six Nations Day honoring the contributions of the Iroquois Nations, SUNY Day and Women’s Day. The Fair always begins with Governor’s Day. The Great New York State Fair runs from August 27 to September 7, 2015.