All-Day Music Festival JAMS Funk Fest Is Back at The 2026 Great New York State Fair

Get ready to groove, as Grammy-nominated Stokley, former lead singer of the legendary R&B group Mint Condition, and Go-Go and funk pioneers E.U. Featuring Sugar Bear will be co-headlining JAMS Funk Fest 2K26 at The Great New York State Fair! The all-day music festival at Chevy Court will bring the beats on Saturday, September 5, beginning at noon.

About JAMS

The JAMS acronym stands for Joined Artists, Musicians, and Singers. JAMS is a collaborative of creatives from Syracuse, NY working to enhance the local arts scene through the offerings of diverse artists.

"JAMS Funk Fest has become a Fair tradition, now in its 12th year," said Fair Director Julie LaFave. "We're fortunate to showcase a full day of amazing artists representing Gospel, Hip Hop, R&B, and Funk here at Chevy Court. No matter your age or background, everyone can appreciate the joyful atmosphere the Fest brings to The Fair."

"JAMS Funk Fest is more than just a concert-it's an experience. We're bringing people together through music that moves both the soul and the body," said Reggie Seigler, Director of JAMS.

Prepare for a full day of music, culture, and electrifying performances. The Fest will kick off at 12 p.m. and last until 10:00 p.m., with several talented and inspiring artists taking the stage in turn. CJack Run will open at 12 p.m.; followed by Kevin Stephens & Free Spirit (Gospel) at 2:15 p.m.; Magnetic Flow (R&B, jazz, and funk) at 3:20 p.m.; Brownskin Band (Blues) at 4:25 p.m.; and TT315 (Old School Funk and R&B) at 5:30 p.m., Co-headliner E.U. featuring Sugar Bear will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and Stokley will close out the Fest at 8:35 p.m.

About E.U.

Experience Unlimited, known as "E.U.," was co-founded by Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliot. An iconic funk and Go-Go band, E.U. experienced the height of their popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s with their song, "Da Butt." The dance anthem was featured on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988 and appeared on the soundtrack for the movie School Daze that same year. The enduring legacy of the group and their song helped shape modern dance culture and continues to energize audiences worldwide, most recently with Glenn Close dancing to "Da Butt" at the 93^rd Academy Awards.

About Stokley

Stokley Williams, who simply goes by the stage name Stokley, co-founded the renowned R&B group Mint Condition in the early 1980s. By the early '90s, the group already met success with songs like "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)," "U Send Me Swingin'," and "What Kind of Man Would I Be?," which garnered Grammy and Soul Train nominations, as well as an induction into the Soul Music Hall of Fame. With a performance style compared to Usher and Chris Brown, and unmatched musicianship and stage presence, Stokley is guaranteed to deliver a powerful finale.

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. All concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Tickets are $8 for adults while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.

In total, The Fair's 2026 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, August 28 and September 4 at Chevy Court.

All concerts announced thus far are provided in the chart below. Fair staff will continue to update schedules on The Fair's website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.

Suburban Park:

Chevy Court:

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state's CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

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