Popular Upstate New York Concert Venue Bans This Seating Option

Did you enjoy our first significant snowfall this week? If you know me, you know I am a summer person, not a fan of winter, cold, ice, and snow. But I live here, so it comes with the territory.

Even so, while the snow continued to fall, my thoughts turned to a warm summer evening, maybe enjoying a concert at one of the many outdoor venues that dot Upstate New York and Northeast Pennsylvania.

We are fortunate that there are several choices for outdoor venues not far from the Binghamton area including Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, Tag's in Big Flats, Empower FCU Amphitheater in Lakeview near Syracuse, the Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Darien Lake, which is situated between Buffalo and Rochester, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Chevy Court at the New York State Fair in Syracuse and CMAC Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua.

Most, if not all offer reserved seating and lawn seating. Lawn seating is great. Bring your lawn chair and/or blanket and enjoy a concert under the stars. Sounds great, right?

Well, one venue is making a change to its lawn seating protocols. According to CBS 6 News Albany, beginning with the 2025 concert season, those who purchase lawn tickets at Saratoga Performing Arts Center for Live Nation shows will no longer be allowed to bring in lawn chairs.

Instead, concert-goers will have the option of renting lawn chairs for $15, which can be purchased online in advance. This is only for Live Nation shows at SPAC. And no, you do not get to keep the lawn chair.

Judging from some of the comments, it's not a popular change. Will other outdoor venues that bring in acts through Live Nation follow suit? Time will tell.