Sebastian Bach performing his classic "Slave to the Grind" with his son on the drums. MALONE, N.Y. — Classic rock fans turned out in force on Saturday, August 15, 2026, as Sebastian Bach, the original voice of Skid Row, and Great White took the stage at the Franklin County Fairgrounds for one of the most anticipated concerts of the 176th Franklin County Fair. The concert brought together two legendary names from the hard rock era, delivering an evening filled with powerful vocals, soaring guitar solos, and fan-favorite rock anthems. The show was part of the fair's diverse entertainment lineup that also included Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors, Dylan Marlowe, Austin Snell, and the NYTPA Tractor Pull. Fairgoers began gathering at the grandstand and track area before the performance, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Organizers promoted the event as a night of legendary rock music, drawing fans from across the North Country and neighboring regions. Tickets were offered as general admission with access to either grandstand seating or trackside standing areas. Sebastian Bach's set featured several songs from his Skid Row years, including "Slave to the Grind," "Big Guns," "Monkey Business," "Piece of Me," and "I Remember You." The performance showcased many of the songs that made Skid Row one of the most successful hard rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Great White added its blues-influenced hard rock sound to the evening's entertainment, helping create a concert atmosphere that celebrated the era of arena rock and classical guitar-driven music. The event marked another major highlight of fair week in Malone, where agricultural traditions, family attractions, and nationally recognized entertainment came together to attract thousands of visitors. As the final notes echoed across the fairgrounds, the Sebastian Bach and Great White concert had given rock fans an unforgettable night and added another memorable chapter to the long history of live entertainment at the Franklin County Fair.Gallery

Dylan Marlowe pulled a person from the audience to help him perform one of his big hits to the locals. MALONE, N.Y. — Country music fans gathered at the Franklin County Fairgrounds on Friday, August 14, 2026, as rising Nashville star Dylan Marlowe headlined a night of live entertainment with special guest Austin Snell. The concert was a featured performance at the 2026 Franklin County Fair, drawing country music enthusiasts from across the North Country. Marlowe, recognized as one of Spotify's 2023 Hot Country Artists to Watch, brought his blend of modern country sound and energetic stage presence to the fair's grandstand stage. Fair officials announced the performance earlier in the year as a major addition to the fair's entertainment lineup. Opening the evening was Georgia native Austin Snell, a fast-rising performer known for blending country and rock. Snell has built a growing national following through his original music and extensive touring schedule, making him a popular choice to join Marlowe for the Malone concert. The event was held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds on East Main Street in Malone, with fairgoers enjoying an evening that combined live country music with the traditional attractions of fair week, including midway rides, food vendors, agricultural exhibits, and family entertainment. Tickets were available in both grandstand and trackside seating, making the concert accessible to a wide range of fair attendees. Casella sponsored the show, and it was promoted as one of the fair's marquee country music events for 2026. The Dylan Marlowe and Austin Snell concert continued the Franklin County Fair's tradition of bringing nationally recognized recording artists to Malone. With a crowd eager to hear today's country hits and discover rising stars, the August 14 performance added another memorable chapter to the fair's long history of summer entertainment.Gallery

Gin Blossoms play their classic "Hey Jealousy" for fairgoers. MALONE, N.Y. — The Franklin County Fair turned back the clock on Thursday night as legendary ’90s rock bands Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors brought an energetic night of nostalgia to the grandstand stage at the 2026 Franklin County Fair. Hundreds of concertgoers gathered at the Malone fairgrounds to hear the songs that helped define a generation of alternative and pop-rock music. The evening featured a double bill of radio favorites, with Spin Doctors opening the show before Gin Blossoms took the stage as headliners. The pairing of the two bands was announced by fair organizers as one of the marquee entertainment events of the 2026 fair. Spin Doctors energized the crowd with many of the songs that made them household names during the early 1990s. Fans sang along to classics including “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” creating a festive atmosphere with audience members dancing and cheering throughout the set. The group's blues-infused rock sound proved to be a perfect fit for a summer fair concert. As darkness settled over the fairgrounds, Gin Blossoms took the stage and immediately transported fans back to the height of alternative rock. The Arizona-based band delivered a set featuring some of their biggest hit songs, including“Hey Jealousy” and“Follow You Down.” Their signature jangly guitar sound and memorable melodies drew enthusiastic reactions from concertgoers of all ages. The concert highlighted the Franklin County Fair's continued commitment to bringing nationally known artists to Malone. Organizers promoted the event as a major attraction during the fair's run, which is part of the 176th Franklin County Fair and includes agricultural exhibits, midway rides, food vendors, and family entertainment. For many attendees, the Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors show was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of the music that dominated radio stations, road trips, and summer memories throughout the 1990s. As fans left the grandstand following the final encore, the night stood as one of the most memorable entertainment events of the 2026 Franklin County Fair.Gallery

Thomas Cook (24) captures his first career Hartson Total Opening 358 Modifieds win. The calendar may have flipped to August, but the action at Airborne Park Speedway remained as hot as ever as the track hosted Round 10 of the season along with its annual Backpack Giveaway Night. With 88 cars filling the pit area across six divisions, fans were treated to a full night of racing as Airborne helped send local kids back to school in style. The feature action began with the return of the Crown Vic division, where 12 drivers took the green for a 15-lap showdown. After an impressive drive from eighth on the starting grid, Richie Turner worked his way to the front and took control of the race. Turner was forced to withstand late pressure from Andrew Lopes and Beau Reeves, but the veteran driver stayed smooth and consistent to capture his fourth victory of the season. Lopes and Reeves completed the podium while Scott Richner's fifth-place effort allowed him to cut the championship gap to just six points. The spotlight then shifted to the Hartson Total Opening 358 Modifieds for their 30-lap main event. Fifteen cars rolled onto the speedway with Thomas Cook quickly asserting himself at the front of the field. Racing on a tacky track surface, Cook built a comfortable advantage and appeared poised for a breakthrough win. Late in the race, however, the pressure mounted as Felix Roy and Tim Fuller closed in. Despite the challenge, Cook never faltered, holding off the hard-charging veterans to score his first career 358 Modified victory. Roy crossed the line second while Mike Mahaney came home fourth, allowing Roy to trim the championship deficit to just 10 points. The Renegades delivered another chapter in what has become one of the best championship battles of the season. Eleven cars took the green flag for their 20-lap feature, with points rivals Billy Thwaits and Duquette once again battling for supremacy. This time it was Thwaits who got the upper hand, driving to his fifth victory of the season. Duquette settled for second while Brad Bushey completed the top three. With the victory, Thwaits tightened the points race to just two markers with only a handful of races remaining. A strong 16-car field answered the call for the JS Steel Sportsman Modified feature. Vince Quenneville led the opening laps while Keith Pelkey and Nick Heywood remained within striking distance. The story of the race, however, belonged to Evan Roberts. Starting at the tail of the field, Roberts methodically worked his way through traffic before mounting a late charge to the front. Roberts grabbed the lead in the closing laps and drove away for his second win of the season. Pelkey and Heywood rounded out the top three. The championship battle saw another shakeup as Heywood's third-place finish was enough to reclaim the points lead by three points, while Roberts moved into third in the standings. The Rain Pro of Vermont Limited Sportsman Modifieds featured eight entries for their 15-lap contest. The race up front came down to reigning champion and current points leader Kobe Hernandez and Gary English. On this night, English proved to be the class of the field, racing to victory while extending his championship lead to 15 points over Brogan Roberts. David Johnson completed the podium with a third-place finish. Closing out the evening were the always entertaining Mini Stocks, which brought a stout field of 25 cars to the speedway. The battle for the win centered on Josh Laporte and Glenn Engstrom, who spent much of the race trading the top spot. When the checkered flag finally waved, it was Engstrom standing in Victory Lane. Jake Fountain finished third, and with points contender JP Corrow ending the night in sixth, Fountain gained valuable ground in the championship battle by cutting the deficit by 15 points. Airborne Park Speedway roars back to life next Thursday night for another edition of Thursday Night Thunder, highlighted by the Mini Stock Special. The division will compete in an extended-distance feature with a hefty $1,000 payday awaiting the winner in what promises to be another exciting night of action at the North Country oval. Gallery

Chris Morena ends the night with a perfect hit on the junk car on the 40-foot jump. After seven long years away, the Blackcat Helldrivers didn’t just return to the Franklin County Fair — they erupted back onto the scene, delivering a fire‑charged spectacle that shook the grandstands and thrilled a packed crowd from the opening stunt to the explosive finale. The night kicked off with their razor‑sharp two‑car precision routine, engines snarling in perfect harmony as the drivers carved tight, high‑speed patterns across the infield. Ramps rose next, and the Helldrivers launched into a series of ramp‑to‑ramp jumps that sent cars flying under the lights, each landing punctuated by cheers rolling across the fairgrounds. The first burst of flames came with the motorbike act, the rider tearing down the track and blasting straight through a wall of fire, erupting from the blaze to a thunderous ovation. The team followed with the human ski stunt — a performer balanced atop a moving car as it whipped around the arena, tilting, weaving, and flirting with disaster at every turn. Then came the junk cars. The human battering ram stunt smashed through another wall of fire with a stuntman clinging to the roof, sending sparks skyward and debris scattering across the track. But the crowd knew what was coming — the rollover contest. The first car hit the ramp and twisted into a one‑and‑a‑half‑roll crash landing that ended its run. The second car, battered but determined, delivered a full rollover not once but three times, each attempt drawing louder applause than the last. For the finale, the Helldrivers staged a 40‑foot jump aimed directly at the two wrecked rollover cars. The junker thundered down the runway, hit the ramp, and launched into the air in a perfect arc. It came down nose‑first into the front of the first rollover car, metal exploding on impact as the crowd erupted in a final, deafening roar. The Helldrivers left the arena the same way they arrived — at full throttle — and the Franklin County Fair crowd went home buzzing, already counting the days until the team’s next return. Gallery

Turner Morris would be the only one to tame the bulls in the afternoon, as he would last eight seconds. The Franklin County Fair Pro Rodeo thundered back into town for its first appearance since 2018, delivering a hard‑hitting afternoon of competition as the Painted Pony Championship Rodeo returned for its third edition. Sanctioned by the IPRA, every cowboy and cowgirl in the arena was chasing critical points toward a coveted trip to the World Finals in Oklahoma later this fall, raising the stakes for every ride, run, and throw. Bareback riding opened the show with three competitors battling the broncs. Two made the full eight seconds, but Tim Murphy’s powerful 77‑point ride stood above the rest to claim the event win. Team roping followed at the far end of the arena, with ten duos taking their shot at the clock. The drama came down to the final team out as Doug Casey and Michael Soule stopped the timers at 9.4 seconds to steal the victory. Saddle Bronc riding brought six competitors back to the chutes, each chasing points and payout. Jack Smithon delivered the winning ride with a score in the mid‑70s, edging out a tough field. Breakaway roping — one of rodeo’s fastest‑growing events — saw eleven ladies take aim at the win. Rebekah Legan set the tone early with a blistering 2.1‑second run, a number no one else could touch. Calf roping kept the momentum rolling with eleven cowboys in the draw. Once again, the final run of the afternoon proved decisive as Justin Thigpen laid down the best time to secure the event. Steer wrestling brought eight bulldoggers into the arena, but the steers had the upper hand. Only one cowboy managed to get his steer to the dirt — Corey Webb — earning the win through sheer determination. The ladies’ barrel racing was scheduled to close the afternoon, but unfavorable arena conditions forced its cancellation. That left bull riding as the final showdown. Four cowboys climbed down onto the bulls, each hoping to conquer eight seconds of chaos. Only Turner Morris made the horn sound, claiming the win as the crowd erupted. Fans left the grandstands buzzing, hopeful that the Franklin County Fair won’t wait another eight years before bringing the Pro Rodeo back for its fourth edition. Gallery