The New York State Fair prides itself in the entertainment for all who attend.

A big part of that is the concerts, and that’s been a tall order this year.

Add it to the list of things that have been more challenging, filling 18 whole days of concerts between several stages, and primarily at the Chevy stages.

Despite the logistics nightmare, the show has continued on.

On a Thursday afternoon at the State Fair, you could find Roy Mosley, of Syracuse, rocking, smoking a stogie and tapping his toes to the beat of performers. At the revamped Chevy Park, there’s plenty of space, and in a year marred by COVID-19 concerns, it has given some people like Mosely some piece of mind.

"I guess everybody has a choice. I choose to wear a mask," he said. "If I'm uncomfortable, I go way back out now so we're doing what we can do."

All the challenges that face fairgoers and organizers hasn’t been unfelt by the man responsible for booking such acts as Red Speed Wagon, Blue Oyster Cult and others.

"It's been challenging. It's been challenging for the entire fair industry, actually, for the entire entertainment industry," said Clay Campbell, president of Triangle Talent.

While the Wednesday night Nelly concert, as advertised, helped bring in the largest fair crowd this year, some nights have had some last-minute planning.

So, the key word has been flexibility of being able to pivot and find something that will, if you have a cancellation, find something that works," Campbell said.

Case in point: Thursday night quickly went from Third Eye Blind as the headliner to the Roots. Campbell said whether it’s a national or local act, the fair’s reputation goes a long way.

"I don't have to explain what the New York State Fair is, what a good venue it is," Campbell said. "It's a 'okay, yeah.' The agents know what it is and know how to get it done, and feel comfortable with sending their artists here to be able to perform."

And that reputation, like the music, extends to those taking in the tunes.

"I've been here in Syracuse about 30-40 years now," Mosley said. "It always had a lot of good bands come in from old school to new school, so it's great time."

For all of that hard work behind the scenes to get a star-studded roster, there’s still acts like Cheap Trick, the Cold War kids, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick, and more to help round out the last weekend of the fair.