The 2007 New York State Fair will highlight the vital industries of its home and their importance in the lives of everyone who walks through the fair's gates.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Lev Saltonstall pulls a cart full of Treleaven wine to their booth at the state fairgrounds Tuesday morning, as his father Peter Saltonstall, the owner of King Ferry Winery, follows behind.
Lev Saltonstall pulls a cart full of Treleaven wine to their booth at the state fairgrounds Tuesday morning, as his father Peter Saltonstall, the owner of King Ferry Winery, follows behind.
Just inside that gate, a Pride of New York display will outline the role agriculture continues to play in the state's economy. Information about the state's agricultural community will be available at a kiosk, where fair-goers can also sample the fruits - and vegetables, and other items - of their labors.
Joe LaGuardia, the fair's public relations and marketing manager, feels the increase in attention to agriculture at the fair is especially important in light of recent changes to the industry.
“What's happened in the last several years is agriculture has moved from a participant industry to a consumer one,” he said. “In the past, farmers were a larger part of the overall population, but that's not the case anymore.”
An exhibit in the fair's horticulture building will also focus on the 59 breweries in the state and their significance to its economy.
A 4-H program in the youth building will educate young eaters on healthy food choices.
And farm animals will be judged in daily competitions open to the public.
Aside from its agricultural offerings, the fair will consist of several attractions for visitors of all ages.
The Grandstand concert series will see a varied lineup over the fair's two weeks, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Counting Crows and Linkin Park. Advance ticket sales have already surpassed $3 million, LaGuardia said.
Fair-going families will find entertainment in the form of the returning Coronas Circus, the Sea Lion Splash! Show and “Jump!” The Ultimate Canine Thrill Show, among other attractions.
The fair's International Horse Show will feature daily equestrian contests at the Coca-Cola Coliseum and Country Max Racing Stables Horse Show Ring for more than $60,000 in prizes.
On the fair's final day, the wrestlers of Total Nonstop Action - including Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle - will grapple in front of a live audience in the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
As special guests and events grace the New York State fair each day, the usual selection of rides, attractions and food will be open to visitors.
WSYR 9's “Bridge Street with Rick and Julie” morning program will once again broadcast live from the Chevrolet Court Stage.
“It's a chance for everyone to see live TV and be a part of it,” LaGuardia said.
The convenience of coming to this year's fair will be improved by the inclusion of E-Z Pass Plus, which will allow users access to its brown and orange lots without having to pay an attendant at the entrance.
LaGuardia hopes the fair's emphasis on New York's agriculture industry will expand into a farmers market on the grounds next year.
But for now, the mission is to make more of the state's residents aware of agriculture's economic impact in New York.
“The necessity is to inform the consumer of how important agriculture is in our daily lives,” LaGuardia said. “The prominence of that is much more visible than ever before.”
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: New York State Fair
When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today through Monday, Sept. 3
Where: 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
Tickets: $10 at the door; younger than 12 admitted free
For details: Call 487-7711 or visit www.nysfair.org
Joe LaGuardia, the fair's public relations and marketing manager, feels the increase in attention to agriculture at the fair is especially important in light of recent changes to the industry.
“What's happened in the last several years is agriculture has moved from a participant industry to a consumer one,” he said. “In the past, farmers were a larger part of the overall population, but that's not the case anymore.”
An exhibit in the fair's horticulture building will also focus on the 59 breweries in the state and their significance to its economy.
A 4-H program in the youth building will educate young eaters on healthy food choices.
And farm animals will be judged in daily competitions open to the public.
Aside from its agricultural offerings, the fair will consist of several attractions for visitors of all ages.
The Grandstand concert series will see a varied lineup over the fair's two weeks, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Counting Crows and Linkin Park. Advance ticket sales have already surpassed $3 million, LaGuardia said.
Fair-going families will find entertainment in the form of the returning Coronas Circus, the Sea Lion Splash! Show and “Jump!” The Ultimate Canine Thrill Show, among other attractions.
The fair's International Horse Show will feature daily equestrian contests at the Coca-Cola Coliseum and Country Max Racing Stables Horse Show Ring for more than $60,000 in prizes.
On the fair's final day, the wrestlers of Total Nonstop Action - including Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle - will grapple in front of a live audience in the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
As special guests and events grace the New York State fair each day, the usual selection of rides, attractions and food will be open to visitors.
WSYR 9's “Bridge Street with Rick and Julie” morning program will once again broadcast live from the Chevrolet Court Stage.
“It's a chance for everyone to see live TV and be a part of it,” LaGuardia said.
The convenience of coming to this year's fair will be improved by the inclusion of E-Z Pass Plus, which will allow users access to its brown and orange lots without having to pay an attendant at the entrance.
LaGuardia hopes the fair's emphasis on New York's agriculture industry will expand into a farmers market on the grounds next year.
But for now, the mission is to make more of the state's residents aware of agriculture's economic impact in New York.
“The necessity is to inform the consumer of how important agriculture is in our daily lives,” LaGuardia said. “The prominence of that is much more visible than ever before.”
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: New York State Fair
When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today through Monday, Sept. 3
Where: 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
Tickets: $10 at the door; younger than 12 admitted free
For details: Call 487-7711 or visit www.nysfair.org
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