The judges’ reviews are bound to be positive when three finalists of the long-running American Idol TV competition sing and answer fans’ questions at the Great New York State Fair. Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young, and Blake Lewis perform Tuesday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. on the Midway Music Series stage, sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

DeGarmo was the runner-up of the 2004 season. She turned that exposure into a career in musical theatre, television acting (on the daytime soap “The Young and The Restless”), and recording.  DeGarmo met season five’s Ace Young at an Idol event, but their friendship turned serious after working together in the Broadway revival of “Hair.”  It was only fitting, then, that the couple got engaged during the 2012 season finale.  Young surprised DeGarmo with the ring and bended-knee question.  She said yes.  They married on June 1.  Young and DeGarmo are now working on an album of original duets and work together every day as hosts of the TV Guide Network entertainment news show “Planet 360”.

Blake Lewis was the American Idol season six runner-up and his three studio albums have since hit the top 40 and top 100 singles charts. He was named #17 in Entertainment Weekly’s American Idol performances of all time. Lewis recently released a new single, "Your Touch," which garnered 2.1 million views on YouTube and is the soundtrack to Microsoft's "Explorer Touch" commercial ad campaign. The New York State Fair will be one of the first venues to host a live performance of songs from his forthcoming album.

 Each artist will sing a few songs, and then will sit down for an extended question-and-answer session moderated by WSYR-TV NewsChannel 9 anchor Carrie Lazarus.  They will also host a meet-and-greet session with fans.

The New York State Fair runs from August 22 – September 2, 2013.  The Fair’s theme is “Sharing the Bounty and Pride of New York.” 

In addition to the annual New York State Fair, the Fairgrounds host dozens of agricultural events throughout the year, including some of the Northeast’s most prestigious horse and livestock shows.

The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website.  Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook or follow NYS Fair on Twitter. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas on the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.