New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced that The Travelin’ McCourys will headline the 2024 Hops and Harvest Festival at the Empire State Plaza from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18.

“Combine bluegrass music with delicious food and craft beer, and you have the perfect recipe for a fun time with family and friends at this year’s Hops and Harvest Festival,” Commissioner Moy said. “All are invited to spend a summer evening at the Empire State Plaza to celebrate the seasonal harvest and enjoy a free concert featuring a performance by The Travelin’ McCourys.”

First held in 2018, the Hops and Harvest Festival showcases the highlights of upstate New York’s harvest season and tasty beers crafted by several of the state's most innovative breweries. Various activities, including giant Jenga, cornhole, and a pie-eating contest hosted by Steve Barnes, Times Union's restaurant columnist and theater critic, will be hosted during the festival.

This year’s festival will feature performances by headliner The Travelin’ McCourys and special guests Gangstagrass and The McKrells.

Fresh off their recent performance at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, The Travelin’ McCourys is a bluegrass band that uses traditional elements of the genre to create innovative pathways into 21st-century music. The children of Del McCoury, one of the most influential and successful musicians in the history of bluegrass, Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob McCoury (banjo), brought on fiddler Jason Carter, bassist Alan Bartram, and, most recently, guitarist Cody Kilby to complete The Travelin' McCourys.

With a rooted and revolutionary sound, they are the only group to have each of its members recognized with an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for their instrument at least once. Their long-awaited debut album is a true culmination of their decades-long journey and showcases their inventive style and stellar musicianship.

Whether they are headlining historic venues or performing as festival favorites, The Travelin’ McCourys' performances draw the love and respect of a growing fanbase that craves their electric repertoire.

Tentative Performance Schedule

5:30 p.m.     The McKrells
6:30 p.m.     Gangstagrass
7:45 p.m.     Travelin’ McCourys

Sponsors of the Hops and Harvest Festival include Decrescente Distributing Company, Times Union, Albany Renaissance Hotel, and EQX.

Free parking is available in the East Garage, Madison Avenue, and Grand Street parking lots. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the Empire State Plaza.

For event updates and additional information, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Instagram, or call (518) 474-4759.

OGS is implementing a new emergency text alert system, which the public can use at Summer at the Plaza events to receive emergency notifications specific to the event they are attending. For the Hops and Harvest Festival, the public can text ESPHHF to 888777 to opt in and receive emergency messages.