Fair Survey Results Show Great Improvement; Task Force Named for Phase Two

By DEBRA J. GROOM

Were you stopped as you left the New York State Fair this summer and asked to answer some survey questions?
 
If you did, the results of that survey are in.
 
Officials with the New York State Fair did the survey during the 12-day run of the 2016 fair to find out what people like about the fair, what they don’t like about the fair, which attractions are visited the most and if people are aware of some of the biggest exhibits at the fair.
 
A total of 600 fairgoers answered the questions. There is a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.
 
In all, visitations increased for most exhibits and attrractions. The Midway food, rides and games wre all rated highly and showed improvement over 2015.
 
There was high awareness of the wristbands, Megapass and Gold Access programs for the Midway and there also was high awareness for the Taste of NY program and the Dairy Cow Birthing Center.
 
The Dairy Cow Birthing Center had a highly positive rating of those who went there, with 83 percent giving it a thumbs up. Of those who saw the State Fair History exhibit, 76 percent gave it top ratings and 74 percent thought the equine demonstration was great.
 
The results:
 
Of agriculture exhibits, the butter sculpture and cheese sculptures in the Dairy Products Building are a big draw. A total of 81 percent of the people taking the survey said they checked out this exhibit. That is up from 63 percent in 2014 and 72 percent in 2015.
 
The entire Dairy Products Building is another popular spot, with 85 percent of the fairgoers surveyed saying they are sure to stop into the building to check out what’s happening there. That was up from 63 percent in 2015 and 61 percent in 2014.
 
The Horticulture Building is extremely popular, with 66 percent saying they always stop there. And one exhibit in the Horticulture Building — the New York Maple Center — always hit a sweet spot with fairgoers as 54 percent said they stop to check out all that is maple.
 
In fact, the maple center saw a huge increase in visitors — up from 38 percent in 2015 and only 28 percent in 2014.
 
Even though awareness of the Dairy Cow Birthing Center was more than 50 percent, only 33 percent of those taking the survey said they went to the center. That was the same percentage as in 2015 but up from the 22 percent in 2014.
 
Less than half of the respondents were aware of the equine demonstration ( 46 percent) and the State Fair history exhibit (42 percent). Awareness of the equine demonstration was down from the year before, when it was at 60 percent. 
 
The fair’s annual survey found that 87 percent of the 2016 attendees rated the changes to the fairgrounds this year as positive. The fair also received record-high ratings for its family friendliness and affordability.
 
As part of the fair’s record approval ratings and record attendance for 2016, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has set up a new task force to provide recommendations to further improve the New York State Fair.
 
On Nov. 2, he announced the task force will recommend improvements for Phase Two of the State Fair Master Plan and evaluate options to maximize the state’s historic investment and grow the region’s economy.
 
He said the task force recommendations will build on the state’s $50 million plan to revitalize the historic fairgrounds in Onondaga County. The state will invest as much as an additional $50 million for the completion of Phase Two of the Master Plan, pending the recommendations of the Task Force and Legislative support.
 
“From the new Main Gate and Empire RV Park to the expanded Midway, we are bringing the New York State Fair into the 21st century to showcase Central New York’s beauty to more fairgoers – and this year’s attendance record is proof positive that our investments are working,” Cuomo said.
 
“We will continue our renewed focus on the fair to drive tourism in the region and move the economy forward,” Cuomo said. “I look forward to receiving the Task Force’s recommendations this fall and exploring new ways to transform one of Central New York’s greatest assets into a year-round economic generator.”
 
“The governor’s $50 million plan truly reinvented the State Fair, while remaining true to its focus on agriculture, great food and music and family fun,” said state Agriculture Commissioner and task force co-chair Richard A. Ball. “The changes were clearly met with great enthusiasm and the record crowds were proof positive that we got it right.”
 
“The success of this year’s fair also reaffirmed its importance as a major economic engine for Central NY and the State, and it is critical we continue to invest in its growth,” Ball said. “I look forward to the discussions of the new task force, which, I have no doubt, will provide valuable feedback and innovative ideas on phase 2 plans that will take the New York State Fair to a whole new level.”
 
“Our fair team worked hard to give people the best fair in our long history in our beautiful new home, and we look forward to the hard work necessary to make this second phase of the project into an even greater success,” said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner.
 
Phase Two Improvements to the State Fair
 
The governor charged the new task force with making additional recommendations and developing fresh ideas for Phase Two of the state’s ongoing investment in the fairgrounds.
 
The task force will meet in November to review the State Fairgrounds Master Plan developed in 2015, and provide the Governor with their recommendations for additional investment opportunities by the end of the year.
 
Specifically, the task force will focus on:
 
** Improving transportation options between the amphitheater at Onondaga Lake to the fairgrounds, so fairgoers can make the most of this state-of-the-art facility during their visit;
 
** Addressing public transportation and parking around the fair to better accommodate the increasing number of attendees and make it easier for people to get to and from the fair;
 
** Building the partnership between the county and the village of Solvay to connect the work being done on Milton Avenue and along the Bridge Street corridor;
 
** Ensuring the fair remains a world-class showcase for our TasteNY entrepreneurs and leveraging the state’s beer, wine, spirits, yogurt, cheese, maple syrup industries.
 
Members of the Governor’s State Fair Task Force are: co-chairs Joanie Mahoney, Onondaga County Executive and Ball; state Sens. John DeFrancisco, Dave Valesky and Patty Ritchie; Assembly members Bill Magnarelli, Pam Hunter, Bill Magee and Al Stirpe; RoAnn Destito, state Office of General Services commissioner; Matthew Driscoll, state Department of Transportation commissioner; Rick Fedrizzi, International Well Building Institute, president and chief executive officer; Charlie Smith, Populous Group; Eric Mower, chair and chief executive officer of Eric Mower and Associates; Christine Nycholas, Nicholas & Lence Communications; John Trimble, C&S Engineers; Frank Zaitshik, Wade Shows; Brian Schuman, Fair Productions; Eugene Cassidy, chief executive officer, Big E; Richard Lee, CENTRO; and Rob O’Conner, The Nationals.
Also contributing: New York State

Little League World Series Champs Come to the State Fair

The Maine-Endwell Little League World Champions at the State Fair. Photo by John Haeger/NYS Fair.

This photo has nothing to do with agriculture (except that it was taken at the State Fair -- an exhibit of all that is good about agriculture in the state).

But I just had to post it because it makes me happy.

Enjoy.

Ms. Absolute Bliss Wins Grand Champ at NYS Fair

Results from the Holstein competitions at the New York State Fair.

Go to http://www.thebullvine.com/news/senior-2-year-old-ms-absolute-bliss-wins-grand-at-new-york-state-fair/ to check them out.

New York State Fair Dairy Product Competitions Winners Announced

Since it's Dairy Day, it would be the perfect time to release the names of Dairy Product competition winners.

Go to http://nysfair.ny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2016-Dairy-Products-results-1.pdf to see a list of all 22 competitions and the winners.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the winners of the 2016 Dairy Products Competition in celebration of the 40^th annual Dairy Day at The Great New York State Fair. 

Twenty-six manufacturers were awarded this year, including Yancey’s Fancy cheese company of Western New York, which earned the Grand Champion award after scoring 99 out of 100 possible points for its Chastinet Sharp and Snappy Asiago-Style Cheese. 

The state’s top-scoring milk belongs to Battenkill Valley Creamery of Salem, the only entry in the competition to earn a perfect score of 100.

The 40^th Annual Dairy Day awarded 26 processors and manufacturers from across the state either gold or silver honors. Four others earned Awards of Excellence.

Other highlights from the competition include:

Upstate Niagara Cooperative earned seven medals, earning the most medals overall. It won gold in the sour cream, buttermilk, and dairy dips categories.

In the cheese categories, McCadam Cheese Co. took five out of six medals for its current, aged, and super-aged cheddar cheeses

HP Hood’s three plants took five out of six medals in three cottage cheese categories.

Argyle Cheese Co. won gold in the flavored yogurt category with its Chocolate Greek Yogurt. 

Entries were submitted for 22 categories, including fluid milk, sour cream, and cottage cheese. The entries are evaluated by eleven expert judges. This year, the chief judge was Charles Lindberg from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Milk Control.

Olympians Celebrated in 2016 Butter Sculpture

By Debra J. Groom

Celebrating the Summer Olympics athletes is the theme of this year’s butter sculpture at the New York State Fair.

The Milk Life campaign sponsored Team USA in the recently completed Rio Olympics so this year’s sculpture pays tribute to Team USA and athletes from New York state.

The sculpture, done again this year by Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, of Conshohocken, Pa., shows a female basketball player, male volleyball player, male swimmer and female runner.

Celebrating the Olympians

Diana Dibble, vice president of consumer communications for the American Dairy Association North East, said milk is a natural nutrient powerhouse “that has always been on Olympians’ tables.”

“In fact, nine out of 10 (Olympians) said they drank milk while growing up,” she said.

Made of 800 pounds of salted butter from a milk plant in Batavia, Genesee County, the sculpture was  done over a period of 10 days. This is the 14^th year Victor and Pelton have sculpted the showcase of the Dairy Products Building.

The sculpture is one of the most popular sites to visit during the 12-day New York State Fair. It is in the Dairy Products Building at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes. 

The fair opens Thursday, Aug. 25 and goes through Labor Day, Sept. 5. This is the 48th annual butter sculpture at the state fair.

“On behalf of dairy farmers producing the nutrient-rich milk that helps fuel Olympic athletes, I am so pleased that Milk Life is a sponsor of Team USA,” said Chris Noble, vice president of Noblehurst Farms in Linwood, Livingston County.

“I’m thrilled that this year’s butter sculpture provides us the means to celebrate that sponsorship,” he said.

Noble also said once the fair is over, the butter will be brought to his dairy farm, mixed with food waste and manure and then put into the anaerobic digester on the farm to convert it to methane gas and electricity.

The American Dairy Association North East also is sponsoring a selfie contest during the New York State Fair. Go to the Dairy Princess Booth in the Dairy Products Building and get a patriotic red, white and blue mustache.

Put the mustache on and then snap a selfie with your favorite dairy product. Tag the photo #milkUSA and post on Instagram.

The grand prize winner will receive a Buffalo Bills prize pack. Second prize is an Apple watch and daily prizes of $50 gift cards for dairy products also will be awarded.

Go to www.adadc.com for more contest information and rules.

Taste NY Market Moves to Horticulture Building for New York State Fair

The all-new Taste NY Market at The Great New York State Fair was announced Aug. 4 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The market is part of the governor’s $50 million plan to transform the fairgrounds and improve the experience for visitors. 

Now located inside the landmark Horticulture Building, guests of the Taste NY Market will have the opportunity to enjoy everything New York, from artisan cheeses and gourmet nuts, to local wines, craft beers, spirits and more.
Visitors to the Taste NY Market will have the chance to try free samples of food and beverages from all 76 participating New York vendors and to meet the people behind those products. If you like what you try, you’ll also have the opportunity to buy it on-site directly from the vendor. 

For the first time this year, the operators of the Taste NY store at the Broome Gateway Travel and Tourism Center will also showcase and sell an array of products from their store, including: Bjorn Popcorn, Mini Honey Bears, Emmy’s Macaroons, Field Trip Beef Jerky, Saratoga Crackers and many others.
The vendors featured at the Taste NY Market will rotate daily, during all twelve days of the Fair. A complete list of participating vendors and a schedule of the vendor rotation can be found http://nysfair.ny.gov/food-drink/taste-ny/ at this link.

New York Harvester Comes to New York State Fair

So how does this sound to you?

Every day can be Thanksgiving when you try the newest food craze at this year's New York State Fair.

The sandwich, called The New York Harvester, is Thanksgiving, deep fried into a sandwich that weighs two pounds.

 

The creator of this madness is Jim Hasbrouck, who operates the famous Fried Specialties booths at the Fair and whose heart-stopping Defibrillator was last year's craziest new food and won national attention.  But enough about the cook; what's in the sandwich?

 

• Deep-fried turkey
• Deep-fried mashed potatoes
• Deep-fried stuffing
• Cranberry sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Bacon - deep-fried, of course
• All of it stacked between two slices of sourdough bread and every ounce of it made with New York products

 

"I spent the winter working on this," said Hasbrouck, the Wayne County resident who tours the nation selling deep-fried fun at many fairs and festivals.  "I went through a lot of food to get this just right, and it's good.  Crazy good."

 

"This is one of the fun reasons people wait all year for the Fair.  They want to taste something they've never tasted before.  As for me, I can't wait to dig in to one of these.  Who doesn't love Thanksgiving dinner?" said Troy Waffner, Acting Fair Director.

 

Hasbrouck also plans to bring back The Defibrillator, the mega-burger that featured a deep-fried Angus burger patty, deep-fried pickles, deep-fried cheese curds, deep-fried bacon, and cheddar cheese, stuffed between two grilled cheese sandwiches.  

 

The sandwich was one of several fun Fair foods featured on the Cooking Channel show "Carnival Eats" earlier this year.

 

The New York Harvester is the first of several wild new food choices to be announced in the coming weeks.  The fair's annual surveys of fairgoers have consistently shown that food is the number one item on their agendas.  

 

Fair officials have been diversifying food choices gradually each year, adding healthy options such as the wildly successful vegan food stand in the International Building and embracing more ethnic foods. 

 

Of course, the fair is known for its signature products - the cup of perfectly chilled white or chocolate milk in the Dairy Products building and the $1 baked potato with all the fixings in the Horticulture Building.  

 

The sausage sandwich with peppers and onion has been a staple of the fair for decades.

 

The New York State Fair this year runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5.  

Get Your Entry in Now for the State Fair's "Star Spangled Challenge"

News from the New York State Fair:

Entries are due June 8 for the second annual Great New York State Fair "Star Spangled Challenge" contest.

 

The contest, which began last year, aims to choose 12 singers for the daily National Anthem at the New York State Fair. 

 

"We're getting all kinds of entries from all areas of the state, but we want even more as this last week for entering the contest begins," said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner. "Even if you entered last year, you can enter again this year. Grab your cell phone and give it a shot.  It's a fun competition and who knows - you might wind up a winner."

 

Entries so far cover a wide range of performers and musical styles. Most are solo singers, but a man named Larry from Staten Island performs the anthem on his saxophone, Chuck and Betsy from Fulton sing in harmony as a duo, and the more than 60 members of the Liverpool Community Chorus put the power of many voices behind the song.  

 

Many show themselves singing at public gatherings, such as Syracuse University basketball games, a minor league baseball game and the Oswego Speedway.

 

Competition submissions must be made by midnight June 8 at http://bit.ly/StarSpangled2016 this link.  Competitors should create and submit short videos that show them performing "The Star Spangled Banner."  

 

A panel of judges will narrow the entries to 20 finalists.  Public voting then begins on a special page on the fair's Facebook site, and the 12 competitors with the highest vote totals will be selected to sing the anthem on one of the fair's 12 days.

 

To enter the challenge, contestants should create videos no longer than three minutes of themselves performing the first verse of "The Star Spangled Banner."  Performers can sing alone or in groups, and instrumental-only versions are allowed.  There are two ways to enter the competition:

• Upload videos to the contest site on the Fair's Facebook page at http://bit.ly/StarSpangled2016 and fill out the brief entry form there.
• Email submissions to newyorkstatefair@agriculture.ny.gov. Contestants must email the actual video file and not a link to a file housed on another site.

 

All entries, however they are submitted, must include the performer's name, address and phone number.  Emailed entries will be added to the contest site by fair staff by the next business day. Four judges will select 20 finalists. 

 

Public voting on the 20 finalists begins June 14 and runs through midnight, July 3. The 12 contestants with the most votes will be chosen to sing the anthem on the Chevy Court stage at 9:58 a.m. and again at about 1 p.m. in the Toyota Coliseum on their performance day, which will be assigned at a later date. 

 

People are limited to one vote per person and are encouraged to share the competition with their Facebook friends to help their chosen candidate.

 

Winners will be announced on July 5. 

Birds Will Be Back at State Fair and County Fairs This Summer

An exhibit at the State Fair in 2014

News from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets:

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball on May 31 announced the end of the ban on all live fowl competitions and exhibits at the Great New York State Fair and at all county fairs in New York.  

The first poultry show at the state Fairgrounds since the ban took place will be at the fairgrounds this coming weekend.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets issued the ban in June 2015 to prevent the spread of strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which killed millions of birds across the country in 2014-2015 and was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as being the worst outbreak of HPAI in U.S. history.   
 

“New York took an aggressive approach to preventing the spread of avian influenza and it paid off,” Ball said. “I am very proud to say that thanks to the cooperation of farmers, suppliers, distributors, and live bird markets, as well as the hard work of the Department’s Division of Animal Industry, the outbreak did not affect a single bird in the state and we look forward to their return at fairs this summer.”

“Lifting this ban was possible due to the efforts of the poultry industry, here in New York and throughout the U.S., to stop the spread of HPAI and to improve biosecurity practices. We are indebted to state and federal animal health officials who contained HPAI in the Midwest," said state Veterinarian Dr. David Smith.

"While we are confident the threat has diminished and bird competitions can resume, it’s important to note that the virus causing HPAI may arise any time, so our producers must remain vigilant and continue to adhere to the best practices for preventing the spread of this disease,” Smith said.

The Great New York State Fair is accepting entries for its poultry competitions and exhibits.  Exhibitors can register their animals by going to http://nysfair.ny.gov/competitions/how-to-enter/ this link.

In 2014, about 1,200 poultry and pigeons were brought to the fair for various competitions and exhibits. The ban has also been lifted for all chartered county fairs and youth fairs in New York State. 

There are 45 county fairs and six youth shows for the fair season, which runs from June through October. 

Oswego County Fair President Carol Sweeney said the poultry will be back at the annual county fair in Sandy Creek, but birds will be checked out and tested by a vet before entering the fairgrounds.

“Our fairgoers and our exhibitors look forward to these competitions every year and we are excited to bring them back. They are not only fun, but also an important educational opportunity for thousands of Fair visitors each year," said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner.

For more information, visit the state Department of Agriculture and Markets website at www.agriculture.ny.gov

'Dairying for Tomorrow' Award Launched

FRom the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council:

To recognize local dairy farmers and showcase the unique on-farm practices to help sustain the dairy industry well into the future, the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council is launching the "Dairying for Tomorrow Award".
"The award is set-up to highlight local dairy farm families who display a passion for dairying and have a unique practice that will help lead their dairy into the future," said Beth Meyer, vice president of industry relations for association. 

"We want to share with consumers the many things dairy farmers do to care for their animals, their natural resources and the communities in which they live," Meyer added. 

The award is broken into three categories: animal care, community/consumer outreach, and environmental stewardship.
The award will recognize one winner in each of the three categories within these five different regions: Central New York, Western New York, Eastern New York, Northern New York, and Northeastern Pennsylvania/Northern New Jersey. 

Three overall winners in each category will be selected and awarded at the New York State Fair Dairy Day breakfast. They will receive a cash prize, along with the production of a farm video and photo shoot that highlights the farm. 

Award applications are being accepted through May 31st.

The application is simple and easily accessed online. All dairy farmers are encouraged to take just a few minutes to share all the great things they are doing on their farms. 

 

To apply, visit the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council at adadc.com http://www.adadc.com  

 

For more information, contact Emma Andrew at 315-472-9143 or eandrew@adadc.com

Eileen Jensen new Director of Promotion and Outreach for New York Animal Agriculture Coalition

From the NEW YORK ANIMAL AGRICULTURE COALITION
 

Eileen Jensen and friend

Eileen Jensen has been hired as the director of promotion and outreach for the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition.
 
Jensen brings a lifetime of experience and passion for agriculture to this position, which will aid the farmer-founded, nonprofit organization advocate for animal agriculture and the state’s 5,000 dairy farms.
 
“We are very pleased to welcome Eileen to NYAAC,” said Dale Mattoon, chairman of NYAAC and dairy farmer from Cayuga County. “As society becomes further removed from the farm and the amount of misinformation continues to plague the minds of consumers, the need for advocacy work in the dairy industry has never been greater. We are thrilled to obtain Eileen’s diverse skill set and enthusiasm to the team.”
 
Jensen was one of 80 applicants to apply for the full-time, first-of-its-kind position with NYAAC. Her tenure and experience in marketing and agricultural education, coupled with her confidence and public speaking skills made her the top candidate.
 
“I am very excited to be relocating back to New York to join the NYACC team,” Jensen said. “NYACC is doing great things for New York agriculture and I’m looking forward to collaborating and continuing the positive momentum into the future.”
 
Starting May 16, 2016, Jensen will put her skills to good use contributing to the organization’s blogsite, along with creating content for its social media pages. She will be involved extensively with the organization’s flagship event, the Dairy Cow Birthing Center at the New York State Fair, where three calves are born daily and nearly a quarter of a million people come to witness the miracle of life.
 
There, she will serve as a spokesperson for the exhibit, as well as an event and volunteer coordinator. Jensen will also be busy working with the state’s 5,000 dairy farmers, helping them be better advocates for their livelihood through presentations and trainings, creative materials, events and more. She will also aid in fundraising for the newly designated 501(c)3 organization.
 
Jensen grew up on a dairy farm in the Finger Lakes, studied agricultural business at SUNY Cobleskill and received her masters in education at Cornell. She has worked both in the classroom, educating students, as well as for large corporations during her time as an account executive for two major agricultural advertising agencies in the midwest.
 
The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition is a farmer founded and funded nonprofit profit organization with the mission of working to enhance the public’s understanding of and appreciation for animal agriculture by fostering a dialogue with consumers, engagement with farmers and cooperation among members of the state’s dairy industry. 

Its board is made of up representatives from American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Cayuga Marketing, Farm Credit East, the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association, New York Farm Bureau and the Northeast Dairy Producers Association.  Pro-Dairy serves as an adviser to the board, which meets every other month.
 
For more information about NYAAC and its programs, visit www.nyanimalag.org or follow @NYAnimalAg on social media.

New York State Fair Offers Ticket Sale on Cinco de Mayo

Fans of the Great New York State Fair can get less expensive tickets to the fair as fair officials hold the annual Cinco de Mayo sale of a limited number of admission tickets at a special price, Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner announced today.

 

The sale takes place on Cinco de Mayo -- the fifth day of the fifth month -- and offers 5,555 tickets for $5. 

 

The sale begins at 5:55 a.m. Tickets are available only online through the fair's official ticket seller, etix.com, at http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7893989.  

 

The tickets offered during this sale provide a 50 percent discount over the regular $10 admission price and is a dollar less expensive than the price charged during the regular advance sale period that begins in July.

Sign Up Now for New York State Fair Competitions

From the New York State Fair:

Online registration has begun for the scores of competitions that take place at the Great New York State Fair, Acting Director Troy Waffner said today.  

 

Last year, more than 4,500 exhibitors submitted more than 22,000 entries to one of 49 competition categories. 

 

"There's something for everyone in our competitions," Waffner said. "Some of these are as old as the fair itself and carry forward our state's proud agricultural heritage. Others are more modern. I encourage everyone to check our list of competitions and take part in them."

 

Most fairgoers are familiar with the fair's animal competitions, from the daily horse shows in the Toyota Coliseum to the judging events involving cattle, goats, swine, poultry, rabbits and more. They are also likely to have seen the flower and table setting competitions in the Horticulture Building, or the talent competition on the fair's west end stage.  

 

There are also the professional competitions for wines, dairy products, and Christmas trees.

 

Less well known are the fair's competitions in culinary arts, amateur winemaking and fine arts. The fair also holds some offbeat competitions, such as the daily rooster crowing contest, the Bucket of Junk competition that challenges contestants to turn a collection of parts into something useful, and the poetry competition, which culminates with a public reading of winning poems.

 

To learn more about fair competitions, or to enter, visit http://nysfair.ny.gov/competitions/how-to-enter.

 

This year's New York State Fair, operated by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5, 2016.

Reservations Being Taken Now for Camping at the NYS Fair

From the New York State Fair:

Empire RV Park on the state fairgrounds is now accepting camping reservations for the full 12 days of the fair.

Empire RV Park lies within the New York State Fairgrounds, home of the nation’s first and oldest state fair and host of about 150 public events each year. 

The Empire RV Park will be available during the Fair to those renting a space for the term of the 12-day Fair. The Great New York State Fair runs for 12 days each year, ending on Labor Day.

The Empire RV Park reservation includes an RV parking site for up to a 16-night stay (includes water, electric, sewer and garbage pick-up), one vehicle parking permit, and two 12-day admission wristband passes to the Fair

The price is $600 plus a $9 reservation fee per site.

Any questions should be directed to 315-487-7711 or go to nysfair.ny.gov

$4 State Fair Admission Tickets on Sale Thursday

New York State Fair admission tickets for $4 will be on sale beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25. 
 
The tickets, to celebrate the midway point to opening day of the 2016 fair, are available online at http://event.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSale.do?performance_id=4218907&method=restoreToken

This “Halfway to the Great New York State Fair” makes 10,000 tickets available for purchase at 33 percent off the advance sale price and 60 percent off the $10 price at the gate.
 
They are good for admission any day of the 2016 fair.