NYS Blues Fest drops Covid restrictions; some concert venues not making changes yet

The 26th annual Blues Fest in Syracuse's Clinton Square

This 2018 file photo shows Rebecca Lovell of Larkin Poe performing at the New York State Blues Festival in Syracuse's Clinton Square. Larkin Poe will perform at the 2021 NYS Blues Fest at the New York State Fairgrounds.Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

The 2021 New York State Blues Festival will look more like a regular music event, festival director Eric McElveen announced Wednesday.

Next week’s three-day NYS Blues Fest is dropping previously announced Covid-19 restrictions, including vaccinated and unvaccinated sections with reserved tickets required for unvaccinated attendees. All are welcome to attend the free June 24-26 concert featuring Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Larkin Poe on the ProAct Main Stage at Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds.

No tickets or proof of vaccination will be required. Unvaccinated festival-goers are still being asked to wear masks, per CDC and New York state guidelines, but will be on an honor system.

New York state ended most Covid-19 rules Tuesday after hitting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s goal of 70% of adults getting at least one coronavirus shot. According to Cuomo’s office, that includes allowing all stadiums, theaters, arenas, concert venues and event spots to operate at 100% capacity — with all restrictions lifted completely for outdoor venues of all sizes, including mask requirements, social distancing rules, checks for negative Covid tests or required proof of vaccination.

The St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse is also lifting its Covid restrictions, according to Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. Live Nation previously said it would require all concert attendees to be vaccinated, but the St. Joe’s Amp is owned by the county.

Otherwise, venues can still set their own rules — and some aren’t making any changes yet.

As of Wednesday morning, CMAC in Canandaigua is still requiring all concert attendees to be vaccinated. A rep said there were “no updates... at the moment.”

Dan Mastronardi of Creative Concerts said the Apple Valley Park in LaFayette would keep using “PODS” for the time being, but “we are currently reworking some things that will be announced soon.”

Promoter Dan Smalls, who books shows for several Central New York venues, said shows at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards will continue using pods through the Fitz & The Tantrums concert on July 9. After that, shows will be general admission at full capacity with no social distancing required; unvaccinated patrons are still required to wear a mask.

Smalls also expects all future shows at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown to have no restrictions. Modest Mouse is scheduled to perform Aug. 7 and the Avett Brothers are scheduled to play in May 2022.

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