It looks like we might just have record attendance at this year’s NYS Fair. I know I’m doing my part 🙂
Courtesy nysfair.gov
2016 NYS Fair Attendance on pace to set a record!
Admission Prices, General NYS Fair information
Here is a list of special admission price days along with guidelines for attending the Fair.
Be sure to grab a map as you walk in to help you navigate the new layout. Lots of big changes this year!
#nysfair #syracuse #nysfairtix
Visit nysfairblog.com for an updated MAP of the New NYS Fair 2016!!
Here is the latest map:
The West End Bar at the NYS Fair – One of my FAVORITES!
The West End Bar is one of my FAVORITE places to head on out to at the end of one of my many days at the Fair. It supports local music and offers awesome food beverages to round out your day at the fair. Check them out!
Here is the local music schedule at the West End Bar:
http://thewestendbarandgrille.com/concerts/
NYS Fair… Only Hours Away!!
Only hours left until the opening of the Fair – woo hoo!
Here’s what happening at Chevy Court throughout the Fair:
| Date | Time | Event |
| Thursday, August 25, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Thursday, August 25, 2016 | 10:00am | Bridge Street Live (Live TV show) |
| Thursday, August 25, 2016 | 2:00pm | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy |
| Thursday, August 25, 2016 | 8:00pm | Kesha |
| Friday, August 26, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Friday, August 26, 2016 | 10:00am | Bridge Street Live (Live TV show) |
| Friday, August 26, 2016 | 2:00pm | Braiden Sunshine and Chance Pena |
| Friday, August 26, 2016 | 6:00pm | Daily Parade |
| Friday, August 26, 2016 | 8:00pm | Toto |
| Saturday, August 27, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Saturday, August 27, 2016 | 10:00am | My Lucky Tummy |
| Saturday, August 27, 2016 | 2:00pm | MAGIC! |
| Saturday, August 27, 2016 | 8:00pm | Dashboard Confessional |
| Sunday, August 28, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Sunday, August 28, 2016 | 10:00am | City Market |
| Sunday, August 28, 2016 | 10:00am | Bubble Blast Run (Registration required) |
| Sunday, August 28, 2016 | 2:00pm | Air Supply |
| Sunday, August 28, 2016 | 8:00pm | Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers |
| Monday, August 29, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Monday, August 29, 2016 | 10:00am | Bridge Street Live (Live TV show) |
| Monday, August 29, 2016 | 2:00pm | Herman’s Hermits |
| Monday, August 29, 2016 | 6:00pm | Daily Parade |
| Monday, August 29, 2016 | 8:00pm | Brian Wilson presents “Pet Sounds” – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary with special guests Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin |
| Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | 10:00am | Bridge Street Live (Live TV show) |
| Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | 2:00pm | Survivor |
| Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | 6:00pm | Daily Parade |
| Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | 8:00pm | The Commodores |
| Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | 10:00am | Bridge Street Live (Live TV show) |
| Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | 2:00pm | Macy Gray |
| Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | 6:00pm | Daily Parade |
| Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | 8:00pm | Three Days Grace |
| Thursday, September 1, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Thursday, September 1, 2016 | 10:00am | Bridge Street Live (Live TV show) |
| Thursday, September 1, 2016 | 2:00pm | Natalie La Rose |
| Thursday, September 1, 2016 | 6:00pm | Daily Parade |
| Thursday, September 1, 2016 | 8:00pm | Flo Rida |
| Friday, September 2, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Friday, September 2, 2016 | 10:00am | Bridge Street Live (Live TV show) |
| Friday, September 2, 2016 | 2:00pm | A Tribe Called Red |
| Friday, September 2, 2016 | 6:00pm | Daily Parade |
| Friday, September 2, 2016 | 8:00pm | Culture Club |
| Saturday, September 3, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Saturday, September 3, 2016 | 2:00pm | X Ambassadors |
| Saturday, September 3, 2016 | 8:00pm | Rachel Platten and A Great Big World |
| Sunday, September 4, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Sunday, September 4, 2016 | 2:00pm | Robert Cray |
| Sunday, September 4, 2016 | 8:00pm | Daughtry |
| Monday, September 5, 2016 | 9:55am | National Anthem |
| Monday, September 5, 2016 | 10:30am | Labor Day Rally |
| Monday, September 5, 2016 | 6:00pm | Chicago |
| Monday, September 5, 2016 | 8:30pm | Fireworks Sponsored by National Grid |
Pokemon Go At the Fair – All you need to know about the Pokestops and Gyms
So this Pokemon Go phenomenon has basically taken over the world. Never in a million years did I anticipate how much I would be involved in this game! Having a daughter who is a huge Pokemon fan, I basically had little choice but to download the App if I wanted to relate to what she was talking about. Well – I LOVE it! We’ve had so much fun this summer seeking out Pokestops and gyms and rare Pokemon at parks, monuments and art sculptures I never knew existed in our area. And the fact that you have to walk to ‘hatch your egg’ (don’t ask) motivated both of us to walk, walk, walk, and then walk some more lol.
So based on my daughter’s recommendation, we decided to map out all the Pokemon Go Pokestops and Gyms on the fairgrounds. We were given permission by Fair Director Troy Waffner (Thank you Troy!) to walk the grounds to conduct our ‘research’. When we arrived, a fabulous fellow Pokemon fan and off duty Fair security officer, met us at the gate with a golf cart! Alex heard we were coming and volunteered to be our official escort. being a Pokemon Go player herself, showed us where all the Pokemon ‘hot spots’ were. It was SO much fun and we can’t thank her enough!
We found 8 Pokestops and here they are:
We also found two Pokemon Gyms – One at the Toyota Coliseum entrance (on the side facing the highway) and the other at Chevy Court.
And THANK YOU to Alex, our Pokemon Go Tour Guide – We appreciate all of your help and the free ride! 🙂
New for 2016: Download and print NYS Fair Coupons before you go!
You know what they say – a penny saved is a penny earned. This year the New York State Fair is offering downloadable coupons for discounts and/or free items at some Fair vendors. You can print them out before you go!
The coupons offer discounts on food including ice cream and gyros, wine (yum!), jewelry and clothing as well as activities like bull riding. There are more than 40 coupons offered directly through the NYS Fair.
All you have to do is download and print the coupons, then bring them with you when the Fair starts next week!
Click here to download: NYS Fair Coupons
#nysfair #coupons #gyros #freebies #wineslushie
Yay! CENTRO restores NYS Fair Park-N-Ride Shoppingtown Mall stop!
This will make many Central New Yorkers happy!
Courtesy: CNYCentral.com
Centro will operate a Park-N-Ride location at ShoppingTown Mall in Dewitt for the 2016 New York State Fair after all. The shuttle will operate daily during the fair beginning at 9:30 a.m., with buses running each half hour. Last year about 34,000 rides were provided between the mall and the Fair.
Centro had originally said it would cut services at ShoppingTown, along with stops at Seneca Mall and the Regional Market, in order to cut down on wait time. After receiving feedback about that decision, Centro made the decision to reinstate the ShoppingTown stop.
“After careful consideration, we are pleased to announce the restoration of the ShoppingTown Mall Park-N-Ride location, which provides an option for fairgoers living in the eastern part of Onondaga County. Our mission is to transport people in a safe, efficient manner and our Park-N-Ride system does just that,” said Centro Chief Executive Officer Rick Lee.
The ShoppingTown Park-N-Ride location will join two new stops that are closer to the Fairgrounds; one at Long Branch Park in Liverpool, the other at Destiny USA in Syracuse. Buses will leave every 8-10 minutes from Destiny USA and every 12-15 minutes from Long Branch Park. More information on Park-N-Ride services to the State Fair can be found by clicking here.
New Home Run Derby and Skills Challenge for young NYS Athletes at the Fair!
Only 12 days to go until the opening of the 2016 Great NYS Fair!
NEW BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL CHALLENGES AT THE GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUNG ATHLETES
Arm Wrestling Event Grows for Second Year, Registration Underway Inviting Pros and Novices to Get a Grip
Nearly a Dozen Other Sports Competitions Take Place During the Fair
Teams of young athletes from all over New York State are invited to participate in the brand new Home Run Derby and Skills Challenge and Football Skills Challenge, taking place from Aug. 29 to Sept. 5 at the Great New York State Fair. The event will take place on a new, large grass area in the heart of the Fairgrounds, between the Youth Building and the new Wade Shows Midway. Registration for the event is underway at http://www.4skillny.com.
The activity consists of two separate competitions. First is a football skill challenge for children ages 5 through 16, taking place Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. Young athletes will compete in kicking, punting and passing events. The baseball challenge, taking place Sept. 2 to Sept. 5, is open to teams of four children ages 9 through 12. The first day of the baseball challenge will be devoted to athletes from Little League’s Challenger Division, which is for developmentally and physically challenged young athletes. The challenges in the baseball events involve pitching speed, throwing accuracy, a relay race, and a home run derby. Rules and regulations for the baseball event follow the Little League major division guidelines for this age.
Registration costs $25 per child and $15 per coach for up to two coaches, and includes admission to the Fair for one day. New York Central Mutual Insurance is a major sponsor of the event.
Mark Lukasiewicz, who played on the World Series-winning Anaheim Angels 2002 team, will be on hand Saturday, Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to sign autographs, provide commentary during the skills challenge, and to meet the athletes. Mark also played for the Syracuse Chiefs for five seasons, from 1997 to 2000 and again in 2004.
“The Fair is a showcase for the many wonderful things our state’s young people do, from agriculture to music and sports. I’m looking forward to watching some of the state’s best young athletes show what they can do,” said Troy Waffner, Acting Fair Director.
Terry Potter of event promoter Millennia Entertainment said, “We are thrilled with the support this new aspect of the Great New York State Fair has received thus far. From community members, to businesses, to retired professional athletes, everyone that has been approached has been more than willing to lend their expertise to this new venture.”
In addition, the National Arm Wrestling League’s New York State Championships was a success in its inaugural year and returns for a second year with more events on Sun., Sept. 4. The featured event is a series of matches involving champions and top competitors from the sport’s major league, the World Arm Wrestling League, as seen recently on ESPN.
While most events are for professional and amateur arm wrestlers, there are divisions for first-time arm wrestlers as well, including children. Information on registering for events can be found at http://cnyarmwrestlers.com or by calling (315) 288-0630.
“Anybody can step to the table and arm wrestle – that’s what is great about the sport. Sure, you have to learn a little technique to get better but anyone can do it and it’s a lot of fun,” said event promoter James Reid.
Athletes compete and showcase their skills every day in many other events that take place in front of the Toyota Coliseum. The featured events for the 2016 Fair are:
- Thurs., Aug 25: Westside Gymnastics Exhibition
- Fri., Aug. 26: Lou Davis Memorial Basketball Tournament
- Sat., Aug. 27: Lou Davis Memorial Basketball Tournament and wrestling
- Sun., Aug. 28: The New York State Fair Wrestling Challenge
- Mon., Aug. 29 and Tues., Aug. 30: New York State Girls All-Star basketball practices, clinics, and games
- Wed., Aug. 31 and Thurs., Sept. 1: New York State Boys All-Star basketball practices, clinics, and games
- Fri., Sept. 2 and Sat., Sept. 3: Ray Rinaldi New York State Championship Boxing Tournament
- Sun., Sept. 4: The National Arm Wrestling League’s New York State Arm Wrestling Tournament
- Mon., Sept. 5: Moving Along Flyers Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
In addition, there are daily appearances by the Harlem Wizards, a basketball team whose members leave Fairgoers laughing at their comedy and amazed by their skills. Performance times vary and are listed on the Fair’s official schedule of daily events.
The Great New York State Fair to have first ever Kosher Food Booth – a step towards more diverse offerings
The more diverse the Fair food is, the better in my opinion!
The Great New York State Fair’s first-ever kosher food booth will debut at the 2016 Fair, offering traditional kosher dishes with a Fair theme, Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner announced today.
“Food is consistently one of the Fair’s greatest attractions. People come to get their Fair favorites and to try something new and fun. Every year, we dedicate ourselves to providing both delicious Fair classics and new, exciting foods for people to enjoy. We are the coming together of New Yorkers, and the best way for us to show that is through a diversity of food representing the diversity of our great state,” said Waffner.
Catering by The Oaks has prospered at Menorah Park in Dewitt for four years, and is the only kosher restaurant in Upstate New York between Buffalo and Albany. At the Fair, Catering by The Oaks will be located in the Horticulture building next to Doug’s Fish Fry. The Fair and the Director of Kosher Law Enforcement for the Department of Agriculture and Markets have been working together for several years to bring kosher food to the fairgrounds. The menu will include a mix of traditional kosher dishes such as potato knishes, bagel and lox sandwiches, gluten-free citrus salmon lettuce wraps and chopped salads as well as kosher dishes given a Fair twist-deep-fried apple blintzes coated with cinnamon and brown sugar, deep-fried cheese blintzes served with sour cream and fried matzo balls.
“We are ecstatic to bring our one-of-a-kind menu to the Fair. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy these tasty delights. We had a taste panel with people who ate strictly kosher and people who did not; both groups absolutely loved them,” said The Oaks Catering General Manager, Jarrod Charsky.
Catering by The Oaks and all other vendors on the fairgrounds can be located by downloading the Fair Food Finder application for smartphones and using the app’s interactive map of the Fair. For fairgoers without smartphones, the application may also be found on the Fair’s website, here.
In recent years, the New York State Fair has increased its diversity of food offerings. In 2015, the first ever vegan vendor, Strong Hearts Café, was introduced and plans to return in 2016.
The New York State Fair,operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 25 to September 5, 2016. 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 375-acre New York State Fairgrounds is undergoing the most significant transformation since it first opened its gates in 1890. The $50 million plan, announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, revitalizes the grounds in many ways, improving the quality of the fairgoer’s experience and providing greater economic benefits for the region. Improvements include the dramatic new Main Gate- the arches of which recall the carriage gate that greeted fairgoers in 1900, a larger, 15-acre Wade Shows Midway that will hold more rides than ever, and the brand new 315-site Empire RV Park with underground water, sewer and electrical service. The plan will better position the New York State Fairgrounds as a premier year-round, multi-use facility that can attract more events and visitors from across the nation. More information on the revitalization is available here and renderings can be viewed here.