Horses, Beer Focus of This Weekend at the State Fairgrounds

Beer and horses are on tap at the New York State Fairgrounds this weekend.

The World of Beer Empire Brewfest moves to Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday. The veteran event features dozens of craft brewers, offering samples of their products.  Many of the beers offered come from New York companies, and the show’s promoter promises some beers will be available for sampling that are not often seen in this area.  

The show is expanding to two days at its new home, running from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and non to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Food will be available from various vendors, and bands will play on the Chevy Court stage Friday and Saturday. There are two options for admission to the event.  For those who want to sample many beers, advance sale tickets are $35, with the second ticket for the same day priced at $17.50.   For those who only want to enjoy full glasses of a beer or two, admission is free and a $7 glass is needed to get 12 ounce glasses of beer costing between $4 and $6.  Designated drivers are admitted free of charge.

Visit http://empirebrewfest.com/ for details and locations for advance sale tickets.

Wednesday through Saturday, more than 800 horses and their owners will compete in the Syracuse International Horse Show, perhaps the largest of the more than 30 horse shows held on the Fairgrounds this year.  

Competitions will be held in scores of categories, with more than $50,000 in prize money to be awarded.  The show also holds a silent auction to raise money for the New York Hospice Alliance.

Admission to the Toyota Coliseum is free. Shows begin at 8 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

A live web stream of the show is scheduled to be available through http://horseshowwire.com/.

Also this weekend, the 4-H Rings and Stables plays host to the Bridle Path Manor Classic Horse Show on Saturday and Sunday. Horses and owners will compete for prizes in a number of categories.  The event is part of a five-show Central New York-based series that concludes in September. Admission is free. Events begin at 8 a.m. each day.  

More information is available at http://www.classichorseshowseries.com/.