The Great New York State Fair is wrapping up the summer with another two weeks of entertainment, exhibits and plenty to eat.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
On the cover: The flags and welcome sign outside of the main entrance to the New York State Fair wave on a sunny day.
On the cover: The flags and welcome sign outside of the main entrance to the New York State Fair wave on a sunny day.
Beginning today, the fair opens up at the fairgrounds in Geddes. While the tighter budgets and general state fiscal troubles are leading to a smaller amount of programs and attractions, fair officials say there will still be plenty to do for attendees.
There will still be plenty of music at the grandstand, with Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, The Fray, Kid Rock and Motley Crue performing.
But fair spokesman Fred Pierce also said organizers decided this year to cut back on the grandstand shows, which require an additional ticket, and add to the shows at the second stage.
The free concerts on the Chevy Court feature a variety of genres and sounds, including Boyz II Men, Grand Funk Railroad, Shinedown and Sara Evans.
“We're able to get a lot more diversity (on the Chevy Court),” said Pierce.
Many of the fair's popular mainstays are returning. Professional chefs will cook delectable dishes using food grown entirely in New York at the Pride of New York Kitchen, and the Pride of New York Marketplace will feature food and items from around the state.
The Pirates of the Sky show will feature Swiss swashbucklers swinging from a 90-foot pole. Butter and cheese sculptures show that our dairy products can be as artistic as they are delicious.
But Pierce said there will also be some new faces and attractions this year. For the first time in fair history there will be a professional boxing event on Sept. 2, with women's boxing legend Christy Martin, Olympic heavyweight James McGirt Jr. and others at the grandstand,
The fair will also bring back the once-popular tractor pull, which will return after almost 20 years on Sept. 6.
The state's tourism markets will be on display at the I Love N.Y. exhibit in the Americraft Center of Progress Building. The exhibit explores the 11 regions in the state that boast diverse tourism opportunities.
Pierce said the new exhibit is just another example of one of the fair's main missions - to show off what the Empire State has to offer.
“We believe in New York state there is a lot that people have to be proud of,” he said. “The state fair gives us an opportunity to really showcase and shine a light on a lot of the different wonderful things that are going on here.”
Whether it's a new experience or an old favorite, Pierce said there are plenty of reasons to get out of the house and hit the midway. There are plenty of indoor attractions if the weather turns south, he said.
“Even if it rains, there is still a great day at the fair,” Pierce said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: New York State Fair
When: Today through Sept. 7
Where: State Fair Boulevard, Geddes
More information on the Web: www.nysfair.org
Kickoff events: Governor's Day, Kelly Clarkson with special guest Gavin DeGraw at 7:30 p.m. at the grandstand, Chuck Wicks at 2 p.m and Sarah Evans at 8 p.m. at Chevy Court.
There will still be plenty of music at the grandstand, with Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, The Fray, Kid Rock and Motley Crue performing.
But fair spokesman Fred Pierce also said organizers decided this year to cut back on the grandstand shows, which require an additional ticket, and add to the shows at the second stage.
The free concerts on the Chevy Court feature a variety of genres and sounds, including Boyz II Men, Grand Funk Railroad, Shinedown and Sara Evans.
“We're able to get a lot more diversity (on the Chevy Court),” said Pierce.
Many of the fair's popular mainstays are returning. Professional chefs will cook delectable dishes using food grown entirely in New York at the Pride of New York Kitchen, and the Pride of New York Marketplace will feature food and items from around the state.
The Pirates of the Sky show will feature Swiss swashbucklers swinging from a 90-foot pole. Butter and cheese sculptures show that our dairy products can be as artistic as they are delicious.
But Pierce said there will also be some new faces and attractions this year. For the first time in fair history there will be a professional boxing event on Sept. 2, with women's boxing legend Christy Martin, Olympic heavyweight James McGirt Jr. and others at the grandstand,
The fair will also bring back the once-popular tractor pull, which will return after almost 20 years on Sept. 6.
The state's tourism markets will be on display at the I Love N.Y. exhibit in the Americraft Center of Progress Building. The exhibit explores the 11 regions in the state that boast diverse tourism opportunities.
Pierce said the new exhibit is just another example of one of the fair's main missions - to show off what the Empire State has to offer.
“We believe in New York state there is a lot that people have to be proud of,” he said. “The state fair gives us an opportunity to really showcase and shine a light on a lot of the different wonderful things that are going on here.”
Whether it's a new experience or an old favorite, Pierce said there are plenty of reasons to get out of the house and hit the midway. There are plenty of indoor attractions if the weather turns south, he said.
“Even if it rains, there is still a great day at the fair,” Pierce said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: New York State Fair
When: Today through Sept. 7
Where: State Fair Boulevard, Geddes
More information on the Web: www.nysfair.org
Kickoff events: Governor's Day, Kelly Clarkson with special guest Gavin DeGraw at 7:30 p.m. at the grandstand, Chuck Wicks at 2 p.m and Sarah Evans at 8 p.m. at Chevy Court.
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