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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ZZ Top will bring their legendary beards and blues-rock sound to the 2026 New York State Fair, performing on the Suburban Park stage on Thursday (September 3) at 8 p.m.
The Texas-based trio, known worldwide for hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs," "La Grange," and "Gimme All Your Lovin'," will deliver what Fair Director Julie LaFave calls "an unforgettable night of nostalgic favorites" as part of the fair's free concert series, according to a press release.
Adding to the excitement, the fair will host a ZZ Top Doppelgänger Contest where fans can don brimmed hats, black shades, and show off their long beards in competition with other look-alikes. Details on how to enter will be announced at a later date.
ZZ Top's current lineup features original members Billy Gibbons (singer-guitarist) and Frank Beard (drummer), along with Elwood Francis, who joined after bassist Dusty Hill's death in 2021. The band has been performing since 1969 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
The concert is part of the 2026 Chevrolet Music Series, which will feature 41 national recording acts across two main stages: Suburban Park and Chevy Court. ZZ Top and Sean Paul (performing August 27) are the first two acts announced for this year's lineup.
The New York State Fair runs from Wednesday (August 26) through Labor Day (September 7) at the fairgrounds in Geddes, just outside Syracuse. Admission to the fair, which includes all concerts, costs $8 for adults and is free for seniors 65 and older and children under 12.
Last year's fair saw massive turnouts for performers including Jessie Murph, Shaggy, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with each drawing crowds exceeding 30,000 fans.