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OGSPressOffice@ogs.ny.gov | 518-474-5987 August 12, 2022
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ELI YOUNG BAND TO HEADLINE NEW YORK STATE’S ANNUAL FOOD FESTIVAL ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17Full Day of Food, Drink, and Free Entertainment |
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New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the lineup for the annual New York State Food Festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The event will feature a performance by the multi-platinum modern country music act, the Eli Young Band.
“New York State’s Food Festival at the Empire State Plaza pairs a wide variety of delicious food and beverages with an exciting lineup of activities and entertainment, including this year’s featured performance by the Eli Young Band,” Commissioner Moy said. “I want to thank all our vendors and generous sponsors for supporting this annual event.”
The festival will begin with the popular Plaza farmers market, offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with -bread, pastries, and many other specialty items. The entertainment will begin at noon with a lunchtime performance by the George Boone Blues Band.
As a sponsor of the New York State Food Festival, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York will offer fun and free activities and prizes at lunchtime to help attendees stay healthy and have a memorable experience. Visit Highmark Blue Shield at the festival to take a chance on the claw machine and enter the #RecipesForLife sweepstakes for a free chance to win a $500 Sunbasket meal kit gift card.
Be sure to catch lunch, dinner, or both at one of many food vendors who will sell a wide variety of delicious dishes, from tacos and fish fires to bubble teas and sweet and savory crepes. With something to satisfy most everyone’s palate, there will be regional fare from vendors such as It’s a Utica Thing and international foods from Jamaica, Lebanon, South America, and more.
Repeat festival-goers will see several of their favorite food vendors returning this year and will have an opportunity to try the culinary creations prepared by vendors who are new to the Plaza, including Sweet Cheats, Gourmeli’s Taste, Chocolate is Self Care, Boozy Moo, and Ram’s Valley.
Adults with proper identification will be able to purchase and consume New York State beers, wines, and ciders, including Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale, Ithaca Flower Power, Wolf Hollow Amber, Angry Orchard Cider, Lifevine Chardonnay and Cabernet, and Señor White Sangria. Multi-Platinum hitmakers Eli Young Band will headline the food festival. The band has maintained an impressive trajectory, with singles earning ?Billboard’s #1 ?Country Song of the Year? and ACM Awards ?Song of the Year?. They have previously earned multiple nominations from Grammy, CMA, CMT, ACA, and Teen Choice Awards with chart-toppers such as “Love Ain’t,” “Even if it Breaks Your Heart,” and “Crazy Girl.”
Music on the festival’s main stage will start at 5 p.m. with a performance by Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones, New York’s premier roots rock n’ roll, rockabilly, and rhythm & Blues outfit. Next to hit the main stage will be Grammy-nominated blues artists, The James Hunter Duo. Over 30 years, Hunter has worked on the railway, busked in the streets of London, provided backup vocals and guitar for Van Morrison, and played clubs and theaters worldwide.
Performance schedule:
Lunchtime at the Plaza Stage (at the Empire State Plaza Farmers Market)
Noon The George Boone Blues Band
Main Stage
5:00 p.m. Big Sky Country
6:15 p.m. Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones
7:30 p.m. Eli Young Band
Free parking will be available after 2 p.m. in the Grand Street lot and after 4 p.m. in the East Garage on Philip Street off Madison Avenue. 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 Twitter, or call (518) 474-4759.
Sponsors of the New York State Food Festival include 107.7 WGNA, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, I LOVE NEW YORK, Renaissance Albany Hotel, Times Union, and DeCrescente Distributing Company.
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