The Great New York State Fair celebrated LGBTQ+ Pride Day on Friday, August 28, bringing a day of community, visibility, and self-expression to the fairgrounds. Closing out the celebration at Suburban Park was queer icon and Grammy Award-winning artist Melissa Etheridge.

*Photo: Mandy Lain – Melissa Etheridge at Suburban Park*

Starting with ‘Don’t You Want a Woman’, the crowd knew they were in for a good night. Not long after, during ‘Matches’, Etheridge played snippets of ‘Jolene’ to pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton. The crowd cheered even louder, ready to celebrate such an iconic musician.

Before playing ‘To Be a Woman ’, Etheridge introduced the song: “I wanted to write something about the last few years of my life, which have been very interesting, and all the things I have learned now in my wisdom. Another word for being over 60.” Etheridge wrote the song with fans in mind; she knew that after all these years she could write albums, but that’s temporary; singing them for her fans will last forever.

Her song ‘Tomboy’ also had a light-hearted speech about embracing and taking back the nickname Etheridge was called growing up. Before the song started, fans cheered at the sentimental message and even more once the lyrics “ain’t nothing weak when little girls are strong’ and she flexed her bicep. At the end of the song, she even picked up a kazoo, impressively matching the melody and adding a playful touch to the performance.

As the show moved forward and the audience danced and laughed at Etheridge’s jokes, she transitioned into ‘Come to My Window’ effortlessly by telling the crowd how she and the interpreter had been watching the full moon go up, referencing “Claw inside, wait by the light of the moon.”

During ‘I Want to Come Over,’ Etheridge reflected on the enduring connection she has built with her fans over the years. “Melissa, I love your music,” she recalled hearing from fans early in her career, followed by, “Melissa, my mom loves your music.” Now, she joked, the message has evolved to, “Melissa, my crazy grandma loves your music.” The playful reflection highlighted just how many generations have grown up with Etheridge’s music and continue to carry it with them.

‘Like the Way I Do’ is one of Etheridge’s most recognizable songs, and toward the end of the set, she reminded the crowd exactly why it has remained a fan favorite. She jammed with the show’s interpreter, Amber Galloway, on guitar before making her way to the drum kit, where she joined drummer Eric Gardener for an energetic duet that became one of the standout moments of the performance.

For her last song, Etheridge left everyone with a heartfelt message in which the song ‘More Love’ reflected, “About life and after you’ve lived 60 years, you learn some things. Every moment is looking for more love.”