Great New York State Fair

Great New York State Fair

The fair on Labor Day 2005
Status Active
Genre State Fair
Begins Second Thursday before Labor Day
Ends Labor Day
Frequency Annually
Location(s) Empire Expo Center, Geddes, New York[1]
Years active 175
Inaugurated September 29, 1841 (1841-09-29)
Founder New York State Agricultural Society
Attendance 1,011,248 (2001)
Sponsor New York State Fair Commission
Website
The Great New York State Fair


The Great New York State Fair is a 12-day showcase of agriculture, entertainment, education and technology. With midway rides, concessionaires, exhibits and concerts, it has become New York’s largest annual event and an end-of-summer tradition for hundreds of thousands of families from all corners of the state. The first fair took place in Syracuse in 1841 and took permanent residence there in 1890.[2] It is the oldest and one of the largest state fairs in the United States, with nearly one million visitors annually.

The Great New York State Fair begins on the third or fourth Thursday in August and runs for 12 days, ending on Labor Day. The 2016 fair will run from August 25 – September 5.

It is located on the 375-acre (152 ha) on the western border of Syracuse, in the town of Geddes.

History

Entertainment

State Fair Grandstand

The State Fair Grandstand hosts events including sell-out concerts presenting a wide variety of national performing artists such as Justin Bieber, Aerosmith, Journey, and many, many others. It also hosts the widely popular Demolition Derby each fair season. In February 2010, the Grandstand made national headlines when it hosted the first outdoor game in American Hockey League History.[15] However, the Grandstand was demolished in 2016 and succeeded by the new Lakeview Amphitheater nearby.[16]

Chevy Court

Chevy Court is an open-air concert theatre. In 2009, the fair changed its format to feature two different national performing artists every day, rather than having the same artist perform twice on the same date, in order to attract additional people to the fair with acts appealing to different audiences.[7] Chevy Court performances attracted an estimated 150,000 people in 2009[17] and more than 170,000 in 2010 and over 200,000 in 2011. The stage has hosted Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars, REO Speedwagon, and many others. The Syracuse New Times, a regional arts and entertainment publication, named Chevy Court the best free concert venue in Central New York in 2009, 2010 and 2012, and best state fair attraction in 2011. In 2015, Syracuse.com suggested that Chevy Court be named the "Best Free Concert Series in America." [18]

Midway

The Midway features several rides, funhouses, games, and concession stands that appeal to fairgoers of all ages. The 2014 Fair brought the first new midway to the Fair in over 70 years, provided by Wade Shows. This change brought all new rides to the fair, as well as concession stands, games. Wade Shows offers valuable promotions to Fairgoers such as wristbands on everyday, a Mega Pass which can be used by one person for the entire duration and they had their most successful day yet during their first year at the New York State Fair when they offered dollar ride specials.[19] In addition to the Midway is Kiddie Midway which features rides and games for younger fairgoers. Approximately 70 rides are located in both the Midway and Kiddie Midway.

Attractions

Agriculture

Agriculture is a large component of New York State, and a big part of the fair as well. The fairgrounds are large enough to host plenty of displays, events, competitions, and attractions that teach fairgoers the importance of agriculture.

In 2011, the fair had over 14,000 animals entered to be exhibited including horses, dairy cattle, rabbits, dairy goats, and more. In addition to animal entries, 2014 brought in over 10,000 agricultural entries including antique tractors, beverages, Christmas trees, flowers, forage, grain, and 4-H. For some, this is the only opportunity to see livestock up close and to meet with the men and women of New York State who grow and raise agricultural products that feed and clothe them.[20]

The fair also strives to promote New York grown products and foods. In 2008, the Pride of New York Marketplace occupied a permanent structure right at the main entrance to the fairgrounds. The Marketplace is stocked with foods made in every corner of New York State including gourmet sauces, syrups, and pastas.[21]

In 2013, the fair brought a new attraction to allow Fairgoers to sample different products from vendors in all regions of the state in the Taste NY tent. Each day, up to a dozen different food and beverage vendors would sample their products. The Taste NY tent turned out to be a favorite among repeat Fairgoers and became one of the highlights of the 2013 Fair.

Buildings

Center of Progress Building

The Center of Progress Building is one of the largest of the 110 buildings on the fairgrounds. Located just inside the fair’s main gate, the building is one of the first structures seen by hundreds of thousands of people as they enter the Fairgrounds. It is located along the perimeter of Chevy Court which has hosted concerts with record breaking numbers year after year. A favorite among fairgoers, this prime location hosts up to 250 vendors and concessionaires, and has recently become home of the fair’s 180 ton sand sculpture.

Sand sculpture

The Center of Progress Building is the home of the massive, 180 ton sand sculpture. This exhibit is one that keeps fairgoers coming back day after day as a team of sculptors work their magic throughout the 12 days of the fair. In 2011, the fair received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback as they paid respect to the victims of 9/11 with a sand sculpture recognizing the 10 years that had passed since the terrorist attacks.[22] Past sand sculpture themes have included The Beatles, Syracuse University, USS New York, Dr. Seuss, The Olympics, and many, many more.[23]

Coliseum

The State Fair Coliseum was built in 1923 and its first event was the World’s Dairy Congress. 5,000 people came to view the million-dollar mile of bovine lords and ladies of every color and breed. Dairy cattle were brought in from 40 different countries. In 1947-48 SU held their basketball games there and in 1949-1952 the NBA Syracuse Nats called this home. The game in ‘49 set all-time records for which most still hold for the most points, most fouls, most free throws, most missed free throws, most overtimes, and longest game.[24]

During the fair, the Coliseum is used mainly for the multi breed horse shows which include breeds such as Pinto’s, Arabians, Miniature horses, Quarter horses, Morgan, and Appaloosas, hunter/jumpers as well as the draft breeds and the heavy and light horse pulls. This arena also accommodates the Holstein Dairy Cattle Show on dairy day, the 4-H agility dog show, and a variety of shows on Labor Day.

Horticulture Building

This large but graceful structure is one of the most beautiful buildings at the fairgrounds. Its intricately designed entrance, fronted by the fountain in the State Park reflecting pool, is an easily recognized fair landmark. Its proximity to the fair’s veterans’ memorials and the 9-11 memorials make it a regular stop for many visitors to the fairgrounds. During the fair, it hosts many horticultural exhibits and concessionaires including the famous $1 baked potato booth, the New York Maple Center, and produce, flower, and apple exhibits.[25] The building’s versatile design allows a wide variety of events to be held there throughout the year. It includes the fair’s New York Café, which operates during the fair and selected events.

Dairy Products Building

Ten vendors are located in this family oriented building during the fair, usually packed to capacity. Major attractions include a butter sculpture at the building’s center, and chocolate or plain milk sold at the Milk Bar for just 25 cents.[25] In 2012, 403,189 cups of milk were sold to fairgoers, breaking an all-time record at the New York State Fair. Other attractions include Dairy Princesses, free entertainment on center stage, and samples of fudge, baked goods, yogurt, chocolate covered strawberries, milkshakes, and pints of ice cream.

Butter sculpture

Located in the Dairy Products Building is a must-see attraction for fairgoers of all ages, the butter sculpture. 800 pounds of unsalted butter have made this a fair favorite since 1969. The revolving butter sculpture can be seen at the center of the Dairy Products Building. Once the fair is over, the butter is converted to biofuel to fuel college buses by students of the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. The butter sculpture is sponsored by the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council.[26]

Dairy Cattle Barn

This building is a favorite among agriculture enthusiasts. During the twelve days of the fair, it is home to some of the state’s best dairy cattle exhibitors. During the off season, it is utilized as an exhibit building and hosts many trade shows for both the public and various industrial groups.

Science & Industry Building

This impressive, century-old structure serves as an anchor for Chevy Court. During the fair, a wide variety of health and safety-related exhibitions help to make this building one of the fair’s most popular visitor destinations.[25]

Art & Home Center

The Art & Home Center is home to a recently renovated demonstration kitchen, which has been the host of several celebrity cooking demonstrations by such notable chefs as Adam Richman, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, and others. The Art & Home Center is the hub of all culinary, art, and craft exhibitions as well as a selection of unique vendors which appeal mostly to women.[25] Each year, the Art & Home Center hosts its annual Women’s Day Luncheon. In 2009, the building celebrated its 75th anniversary by celebrating the life of suffragette Harriet May Mills, whom the building is dedicated to.[27] The building also hosts an impressive display of operating model trains and circus trains during each year's State Fair. In 1966 the Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum was established featuring an extensive collection of pianos, organs, phonographs, vintage motion picture projectors and movie palace artifacts and history, many of which are on permanent display.

The Art & Home Center contains the Empire Theatre. In addition to being home to local theatrical productions meetings and seminars, the theatre is home to a 1925 Wurlitzer Co. 3 manual 11 rank theatre pipe organ, opus 1143, which was moved from the RKO Keiths Theatre in downtown Syracuse in 1966 as the crown jewel of the musical instrument museum.

International Building

This building serves as a staple for food enthusiasts during the fair, where fairgoers can choose foods from select countries around the world. In 2010, the International Building was redesigned to feature more seating and an all-new New York Beer and Wine Pub.[28] In 2015, the International Building added a new Vegan and Vegetarian vendor - the first of its kind at the State Fair. [29]

Youth Building

An educational building meant to “edutain” youth and families attending the fair, this building is constantly packed with parents and children. Everyone leaves with something on their minds and in their hands. Upstairs serves as a dormitory for 4-H and FFA youth that are competing at the fair. There are 800 beds, lockers, full shower/bathroom facilities, and laundry. Downstairs has a variety of interactive sections for the youth to participate in, including a newsroom, demo kitchen, animal husbandry, crafts, and GPS mapping.

Attendance records

Day Attendance[30] Year
Thursday 74,385 2000
Friday 92,782 2001
Saturday 115,324 2010
Sunday 105,894 2002
Monday 85,711 2011
Tuesday 102,136 1972
Wednesday 112,706 1972
Thursday 81,369 2003
Friday 103,117 2002
Saturday 120,617 2014
Sunday 119,726 1985
Monday 122,870 2014
Total Attendance 1,011,248 2001

Future Dates

New York State Fairgrounds

The 375-acre fairgrounds complex operates year-round and annually hosts more than 500 non-fair events.[31] These range from major entertainment and sporting events to a variety of equestrian competitions, consumer shows, community events and meetings that keep the fairgrounds teeming with people. Super DIRT Week, a national modified stock car racing event, attracted an estimated 100,000 people from as far away as Washington State and California. The final race held at the fairgrounds before its demolition was held from October 7 to 10, 2015. It was a Super DIRT Week event branded as the "Finale at the Fairgrounds" which was televised on CBS Sports Network.[32] Dick Berggren's Speedway Illustrated magazine had a Syracuse Collector's Edition in October 2015.[33]

The Syracuse Nationals, one of the top five classic car shows in the country, draws nearly 80,000 people to its weekend event at the fairgrounds. Nearly 70 percent of attendees are 35 to 65 years old, making it one of the largest gatherings of baby boomers located in the Northeast. The fairgrounds is a key player in New York’s equine industry, hosting more than 40 horse events each year, including some of the most prestigious competitions in the Northeast. Last year, 65 trade and consumer shows brought nearly 400,000 people to the fairgrounds. A total of 50 entertainment events ranging from major rock concerts to theater pipe organ concerts attracted 133,235 people.

References

  1. ↑ http://blog.syracuse.com/statefair/2007/08/history_of_the_new_york_state.html
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 http://www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/encyclopedia/entries/new-york-state-fair.html
  3. ↑ http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AD/release.asp?ReleaseID=1848
  4. ↑ http://www.cnycentral.com/weather/story.aspx?id=183574
  5. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/attendance
  6. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/uploads/files/releases/2009-20.pdf
  7. 1 2 http://www.connectamarillo.com/community/press_release.aspx?id=262393
  8. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/uploads/files/releases/2009-45.pdf
  9. ↑ http://theahl.com/record-crowd-on-historic-day-in-syracuse-p140857
  10. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/uploads/files/releases/2011-13.pdf
  11. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/uploads/files/releases/2010-70.pdf
  12. ↑ http://www.9wsyr.com/content/news/fair/story/Bruno-Mars-show-breaks-Chevy-Court-Record/xtkY3_Fn-kWeBQZlwT9p0w.cspx
  13. ↑ http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/cuomo-includes-million-to-transform-new-york-state-fair-in/article_15bc5680-a22e-11e4-b8e3-5f7b968261e8.html
  14. ↑ http://www.syracuse.com/statefair/index.ssf/2015/09/steve_miller_band_chevy_court_review.html
  15. ↑ http://centralny.twcnews.com/content/video_stories/488567/crunch-will-play-senators-outdoors-on-feb--20/32
  16. ↑ http://www.syracuse.com/statefair/index.ssf/2015/07/nys_fair_announces_three_more_events_at_the_grandstand.html
  17. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/uploads/files/releases/2009-48.pdf
  18. ↑ http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/chevy_court_the_best_fair_concert_series_in_america.html
  19. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/2014/03/dept-of-agriculture-markets-announces-wade-shows-selected-as-new-operator-of-midway-at-the-ny-state-fair/
  20. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/competitions
  21. ↑ http://capitalregion.ynn.com/content/top_stories/122418/the-new-york-state-fair-s-first-day/
  22. ↑ http://viewsinfinitum.com/2011/08/29/view-192-new-york-state-fair-remembers-911/
  23. ↑ http://www.teamsandtastic.com/NYFair/
  24. ↑ http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19491950.html
  25. 1 2 3 4 http://blog.syracuse.com/entertainment/2011/08/ny_state_fair_2011_every_day_e.html
  26. ↑ http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/515195/2010-butter-sculpture-unveiled--dairyville-2020-/
  27. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/uploads/files/releases/2009-31.pdf
  28. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/uploads/files/releases/2010-53.pdf
  29. ↑ http://latestvegannews.com/new-york-state-fair-chooses-first-ever-vegan-vendor/#
  30. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/news/attendance.php
  31. ↑ http://www.nysfair.org/
  32. ↑ http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/news/197-2015-news/1047-super-dirt-week-returns-to-cbs-sports
  33. ↑ Berggren, Dick (October 2015). "What is Takes to Go The Mile". Speedway Illustrated (Traction Media LLC).

External links

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