Joe LaGuardia
/ file photo
GEDDES -- A proposal to name the New York State Fair Grandstand stage after former marketing director Joe LaGuardia is gaining support.
The idea, first proposed by the Syracuse New Times last month, now has supporters from away as Nashville, Tennessee. LaGuardia, whose career spanned more than 30 years, died on May 14th. During his tenure LaGuardia worked with countless people from musicians, talent agencies and local governments. Many of LaGaurdia's former colleagues and peers have posted messages of support for the plan on the New Times Facebook page.
New York City booking agent Adam Kornfeld praised LaGuardia's "care and diligence in booking talent and his uncanny follow-through all the way to the day of the performance." He said that he will be calling it the Joe LaGuardia Stage from now on. "I hope that name becomes official before the fair opens this year."
Bonne Sugarman, a senior vice president in the Nashville office of APA, Inc., a national talent agency, praised LaGuardia's character as "rare in our business, or in any business," and asserted "naming the Grandstand Stage at the New York State Fair the Joe LaGuardia Stage would be more than fitting."
Here in Central New York, Turning Stone Resort and Casino, The University Sheraton, and Doubletree by Hilton have all voiced support for the campaign. Bandleader Len Colella, the son of longtime State Fair musical director Stan Colella, is one of a growing number of local musicians voicing their support for the plan.
