Author: karen

Can you sing the Star Spangled Banner?

On: By: karen

News from the Great New York State Fair!!

STAR SPANGLED CHALLENGE SEEKS PATRIOTIC NEW YORKERS TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM TO OPEN THE GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR

The Great New York State Fair’s Star Spangled Challenge is back for a third year, seeking patriotic New Yorkers who want to sing the National Anthem live to open each of the Fair’s 13 days, Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner announced today.
Competition for the daily slots begins today and ends Aug. 2. Competitors should create videos of themselves singing or playing “The Star Spangled Banner.”  They will then upload those videos to the competition site on the Fair’s Facebook page.  A panel of judges will narrow the entries to the top 20, and a public vote that runs Aug. 9 – 14 will choose the 13 people or groups who will perform.

Judges for this year’s event are:

* Frank Malfitano, Founder and Executive Producer of the Syracuse Jazz Fest
* Thomas Whelan, long time vendor at the New York State Fair
* Sistina Giordano, co-host of “Bridge Street” on Syracuse’s NewsChannel 9
* Troy Waffner, representing the Fair
“This is an amazing event.  Every year, we hear from scores of people who want to be the ones to sing the National Anthem to begin our day.  It’s inspiring and its gives the Fair a real American feel that we can’t get by playing a recording.  I encourage everyone to consider giving this contest a shot – it’s a lot of fun!” said Waffner.
More than 300 people and groups have entered the competition since it began in 2015.  While most have been individual singers and duos, past winners have included a keyboard player who performed an instrumental version, and an entire community chorus.  They’ve come from every corner of the state and have ranged in age from young children to senior citizens.
Entrants without access to Facebook may email video files to newyorkstatefair@agriculture.ny.gov.  Links to videos on YouTube or other video sites will not be accepted.
The 13 winning performers will be notified of their performance dates.  The National Anthem is performed live on the Chevy Court stage every morning at exactly 9:58 a.m., moments ahead of the 10 a.m. daily opening for all exhibits and activities.  They may also be asked to perform at other Fair events, as their schedule allows.  Winners will receive admission tickets and parking passes, as well as a $40 voucher for food at participating Fair food stands.
Public voting will be limited to one vote per person and are encouraged to share the competition with their friends and family on Facebook to help their chosen candidate.
The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 23 to September 4, 2017. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “FIND YOUR GREAT,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.
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“Fair Food Four Pack” Promotion – Limited Quantities available online May 12, 2017!

On: By: karen

LOVE this new promotion for the 2017 Great NYS Fair!  

With Just Over 100 Days until Opening Day at the Fair, Special Promotion Highlights Some of the Most Popular Food and Drinks Found at the Fair

The Great New York State Fair today announced the launch of the first-ever “Fair Food Four Pack” sale.  With just over 100 days until opening day at the Fair, this special promotion highlights some of the Fair’s most popular food and drinks while providing fairgoers who love eating at the Great New York State Fair a chance to save money on some of their favorite items.  The Fair “Fair Food Four Pack” sale starts at 6 a.m. Friday, May 12 via the Fair’s online ticket seller, etix.com.

The Fair is offering four $5 vouchers, worth $20, that can be redeemed for delicious eats at select Fair restaurants.  The four pack also includes four coupons good for cups of perfectly chilled white or chocolate milk at the Milk Bar in the Dairy Products Building and four coupons good for $1 baked potatoes with all the toppings at the Fair’s signature Great Potato Booth in the Horticulture Building.  The package’s value is $25 and will be sold for $15, plus credit card and etix fees of 34 cents per four pack.  There are only 3,000 four packs available, with a limit of two four packs per customer.

“The number one reason people give us for coming to the Fair is to enjoy the food.  This new sale celebrates that and helps make some of the Fair favorites more affordable for people.  With just over 100 days to go to opening day and excitement building for the 2017 Great New York State Fair, I think these four packs will go quickly, so I wouldn’t wait to buy one,” said Troy Waffner, Acting Fair Director.

Four packs are only available online, at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3010817/fair-food-four-pack-syracuse-new-york-state-fair.  Buyers will receive a voucher that they can print at home.  Buyers then bring the voucher to the new Guest Relations center inside the Main Gate to receive their food, milk and potato coupons.

The $5 food vouchers are good at the following restaurants:

  • Big Villa Lemonade Stands – five locations
  • Cahoots Ale House – Restaurant Row
  • Catering by The Oaks – Horticulture Building
  • Charlie’s – the Colonnade
  • Daniella’s – near Gate 4
  • Doug’s Fish Fry – Horticulture Building
  • Grandma’s Kitchen – International Building
  • Gianelli Sausage and the Dinosaur BBQ – Chevy Court
  • Haddock’s Paddock – Restaurant Row
  • Hofbrauhaus – International Building
  • Horan’s – Restaurant Row
  • International Spiedies – International Building
  • Jimmy B’s – between Poultry & Dairy Cattle Buildings
  • JJ’s – Restaurant Row
  • King Tut’s – International Building
  • Large Villa Ice Cream Cones – two locations
  • New York Deli – International Building
  • Papa’s Pizza – International Building
  • Pig & The Potato – International Building
  • P-Z-O’s Restaurant – Restaurant Row
  • Seafood Tavern – between the Poultry & Dairy Cattle buildings
  • Tommy C’s – near Gate 4
  • Tiki Turtle – the Colonnade
  • Twin Trees Restaurant – between the Poultry & Dairy Cattle buildings
  • Tully’s – outside the International Building
  • Villa Pizze Fritte – outside the International Building
  • West End Bar & Grill – across from the FFA Barn
  • Ye Old Ox Roast – between the Poultry & Dairy Cattle buildings

The list of participating restaurants is subject to change.  A current list can be found at https://nysfair.ny.gov/4pack/.

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3 Doors Down at Chevy Court on first night of the 2017 New York State Fair – Wed 8/23/17

On: By: karen

 
 

Rock band 3 Doors Down returns to the Great New York State Fair to provide an exciting climax to the Fair’s earliest start in at least a century, Acting Director Troy Waffner announced today. The band’s 8 p.m. performance on Chevy Court will come on the first day of the Fair’s expanded 13-day schedule, Wednesday August 23rd, 2017.

Formed in 1995, Grammy Award-nominated multiplatinum Mississippi rock band 3 Doors Down consistently captivates audiences worldwide. The quintet’s many accolades include selling 16 million albums globally, receiving three Grammy nominations, and winning two American Music Awards. Their debut, “The Better Life,” became certified six-times RIAA platinum in 2000 and was fueled by the success of juggernaut hit “Kryptonite.” This was followed by 2002’s sophomore album, “Away from the Sun,” which went triple-platinum and saw similar success with “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You.” 2005’s platinum “Seventeen Days” and 2008’s “3 Doors Down” each earned No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, while “Time of My Life” landed at No. 3 in 2011. Ignited by the single “In The Dark,” 3 Doors Down unleashed their sixth full-length album, “Us and the Night,” which debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 in 2016.

“We’re excited to begin this new day of Fair programming with such a great band. I know everyone’s going to love having one more day to enjoy the Fair and 3 Doors Down will bring that new day to a thrilling close,” said Waffner.

This will be the 3rd appearance at the Great New York State Fair for 3 Doors Down, having performed here in 2005 and 2011.

Concerts at Chevy Court are sponsored by Chevrolet.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 23 to September 4, 2017. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “FIND YOUR GREAT,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.
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Want to work at the 2017 NYS Fair? Applications now being accepted.

On: By: karen
Apply Now!  Approximately 1,000 Fairtime Jobs Available!
 
The Great New York State Fair is now accepting applications for employment during the 2017 State Fair. The form to apply for jobs available during the 13 days of the Fair can be filled out online and can be found at https://nysfair.ny.gov/about/employment/. A printable version of the application is also available on the State Fair website.
Each year, the Fair hires approximately 1,000 temporary employees. Jobs include ticket takers, parking lot attendants, customer service representatives, barn and other facility workers, cleaners, food service staff and more. A complete list of job descriptions can be found here: https://nysfair.ny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-Fairtime-Job-Descriptions.pdf.
“The people who work here during the Fair provide an invaluable service-they take care of the critical details so fairgoers can focus on having fun. Many fair time employees come back year after year because they enjoy being part of one of the nation’s very best fairs. We’re grateful for their hard work and I encourage anyone looking for an interesting short-term job to apply,” said Troy Waffner, Acting Fair Director.
Work hours, hourly pay rate and length of a given job vary by assignment. Applicants may be subject to background investigations or criminal history checks. Positions for applicants under the age of 18 will require working papers and are limited.  The Fair does not hire staff for the hundreds of vendors who operate during the 13-day run of the Fair.
The Fair will provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities that prevent them from full participation in the application or hiring process. For more information, applicants can contact the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Human Resources office by mail at 10B Airline Drive, Albany, New York 12235 or by phone at (518) 457-3216.
The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 23 to September 4, 2017. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “FIND YOUR GREAT,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.
The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website. Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, on Snapchat at nysfair and enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/nysfair. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.
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Food Truck Competition Will Now Run for Two Days at the 2017 NYS Fair

On: By: karen
THE TASTE NY FOOD TRUCK COMPETITION EXPANDS TO TWO DAYS FOR 2017 GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR

Event Expands After Great Response from Fairgoers

Registration Underway for Participating Food Truck Operators

The Great New York State Fair today announced that its Taste NY Food Truck Competition will expand to two days for the 2017 Fair. The competition to find the best entrée, served by food truck chefs and made with New York State grown and produced ingredients, will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3. Food trucks entered in the competition will be located around Chevy Court.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Taste NY represents the very best of New York agriculture and having our food truck chefs cook up exciting, new dishes for our panel of judges and for fairgoers is a great way to promote New York grown and produced foods. With the competition expanded to two days, we look forward to seeing every region of New York State represented.”

Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner said, “The 2016 competition featured some amazing food and big crowds of people waiting patiently to buy a sample. We’re expanding the competition to a second day so more people can participate and enjoy some of the best foods grown and made in New York State.” To take part in the competition, food truck operators design signature entrées using primarily New York State products. A panel of judges made up of food industry experts and enthusiasts will sample the entrees to select a Judges’ Choice winner on both Saturday and Sunday. Trucks can then sell sample-sized portions of their entrée for $3 to fairgoers, who can cast one vote for the entrée they liked best. Those votes will then be tallied to declare the People’s Choice winners. Each daily winner of the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice will receive a $750 gift card to Maines Food and Party Warehouse, while the People’s Choice runner-up will receive a portable generator on each day.

Registration is now underway for food truck operators who would like to take part in the competition.
Visit http://nysfair.ny.gov/competitions/food-truck-competition/ for details and an entry form.

In 2016, Silo Food Truck of Ovid won the Judges’ Choice award for its Telekinetic Fried Chicken, a fried drumstick over a slaw flavored with peach and raspberry and purple sticky rice, while The Meatball Cup from The Meatball Truck of Rochester won the People’s Choice. More than 2,500 fairgoers voted in the competition.

Katie Foley, co-owner of Silo Food Truck, said, “It was quite an honor both to participate as well as win the Judges’ Choice for the Taste NY 2016 Food Truck Competition. It was a crazy, fun-filled day that flew by. We sold about 1,200 samples to very enthusiastic patrons, making it well worth our while. We are looking forward to the two-day competition this coming year and are already working on our new submission. Being recognized at the state level has given us more opportunity locally and has helped us expand into larger festivals across the East Coast. It’s been quite the feather in our cap.”

Michelle Yancey of The Meatball Truck said, “The Meatball Truck was honored to compete in the second annual Food Truck Competition at the New York State Fair and bring home first place in the People’s Choice competition. We are looking forward to defending our title in 2017. It’s always great to be among the enthusiasm of the crowd and long-standing traditions of the New York State Fair.”

The two sponsors of this annual event are Maines Food and Party Warehouse and Taste NY, Governor Cuomo’s initiative that promotes New York food and beverage products.

Taste NY was launched in 2013 to promote New York’s food and beverage industries. It is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. The Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition. The program reported sales of $4.5 million in 2015 and nearly tripled those sales to more than $13.1 million in 2016. Today, New York products sold under Taste NY branding are available in more than 60 locations throughout the State as well as the New York State Office of Trade and Tourism in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For more information about Taste NY, please visit www.taste.ny.gov. Connect with Taste NY through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 23 to September 4, 2017. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “FIND YOUR GREAT,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.

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All time NYS Fair Attendance record broken!

On: By: karen

The record attendance number from 2001 is history.  It was an amazing run this year at the NYS Fair!  Folks curious about the renovations to the fairgrounds and the near perfect weather for all days of the Fair clearly had an impact.

Here is the breakdown of the attendance numbers for 2016:

* New Attendance Record ** Previous Attendance Record

 

For a look at NYS Fair Attendance from 1906 to present, click below:

New-York-State-Fair-All-Time-Daily-Attendance

 

 

 

 

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NYS Sand Sculpture:  Poor Justin Bieber

On: By: karen

It seems someone, a man in his 20’s or 30’s, hurled himself into Justin Bieber’s likeness at the Sand Sculpture display at the NYS Fair a couple of days ago… The story has been picked up on all the major networks and news agencies.  Whether you like the Biebs or not, any story that involves him or just his sand portrait is apparently newsworthy… #nysfair #justinbieber

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