The Great New York State Fair, Syracuse
The Great New York State Fair
The glittering lights, the thrilling coasters, and the promise of new memories are just a few reasons that thousands are attracted to the State Fair in Syracuse each summer. Whatever your reason, there's a lot of fun in store. What started as a nod to the agricultural community in the 1800s has evolved into a colorful 13-day celebration of New York's outstanding food, entertainment, and technology. So whether you're here for a cultural awakening or to eat fried Oreos by the handful, the Great New York State Fair will take you on a journey. Buy your tickets now!
Find out what's new at the Great New York State Fair for 2018!
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3 Attractions You Can't Miss
The Brand-New Expo Center: Be sure to visit the new-for-2018 Expo Center where you'll find a temporary ice rink, an interactive tourism exhibit from I LOVE NY, and more great events and activities.
Sculptures Galore: The State Fair offers sculptures in unique mediums, some carved before your very eyes. Whether you prefer sculptures made from 800 pounds of butter, New York State cheese, or 180 tons of sand, you are guaranteed to be impressed by the artistry on display.
Taste NY Events and Samples: Farm-to-fork cuisine is at the heart of Taste NY where free samples of food and beverage products are available daily in the Horticulture Building. Like what you taste? Products will also be available for sale. Meet the people behind the products and learn from the experts with daily cooking demos. Find the full cooking schedule and event list here. The Taste NY Food Truck Competition has been extended to two days and will be held September 1–2. 23 different trucks will sell $3 samples of their offerings and you can text the name of your favorite truck to a special number to cast your vote. For a sample of NY's best wines, spirits, craft beers, and ciders, head on over to the Village at the Colonnades.
Day-by-Day Guide
Day 1 - Wednesday 8/22: Governor's Day | Opening Day
Admission is just $1 for the opening day ceremonies and a musical performance by Blondie, headlined by legend Debbie Harry. Find the full Chevy Court music line up here!
Day 2 - Thursday 8/23: Agriculture Career Day | Family Fishing Day | $3 Thursdays | College Student Discount Day
All day admission for only $3, that's a pretty sweet deal, right? Thanks to the Fair's $3 Thursday special, you'll enjoy attractions and live musicians without breaking the bank! College Students get an even bigger discount, paying just $1 a day for the next 10 days. If you're able to show a valid NYS hunting or fishing license, you get in for free for Family Fishing Day, which also includes free fishing clinics in the pond in the New York Experience festival grounds. For Agriculture Career Day, the many careers in agriculture will be highlighted to get young people excited about working in the industry one day. Dave Mason and Steve Cropper perform.
Day 3 - Friday 8/24: Pride Day | Canadian Friendship Day | College Student Discount Day
New Yorkers have a lot to be proud of. New York was the first State Fair in the United States to host its own Pride Day. Friday is filled with annual, all-day events including the flag-raising ceremony, performances in the afternoon, and a parade. On this day and the next two, any visitor from Canada gets free admission with legal identification. Chevy Court performances are Ravyn Lenae (2 pm) and Ludacris (8 pm). Latino Village Weekend begins.
Day 4 - Saturday 8/25: Canadian Friendship Day | College Student Discount Day
Use this weekend to explore all of the State Fair and be sure to catch some must-see attractions from the Dairy Cow Live Birthing Center to the Birds of Prey exhibit with 15 birds and three daily flying shows. Performances are +LIVE+ at 2 pm and Counting Crows at 8 pm.
Day 5 - Sunday 8/26: Family Fishing Day | Canadian Friendship Days | College Student Discount Days
Discounts continue for Canadian citizens and college students. If you're able to show a valid NYS hunting or fishing license, you get in for free for Family Fishing Day, which also includes free fishing clinics in the pond in the New York Experience festival grounds. Performances at Chevy Court are Jackyl at 2 pm and Hunter Hayes at 8 pm.
Day 6 - Monday 8/27: Law Enforcement Day | Maple Day | Senior Citizen's Day | Wade Shows Midway Monday | College Student Discount Day
Midway Monday is the day for deals when you purchase a special wristband that gives you 10 rides for only $10! In honor of those in public service, Law Enforcement Day allows free admission to active and retired law enforcement personnel. There will be special ceremonies and a parade. Plus, any visitor age 60 and up will enjoy free admission with an ID that shows your birth date. Enjoy the rides and when you’re ready, head to Chevy Court for Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone at 2 pm and a live performance by Smokey Robinson at 8 pm.
Day 7 - Tuesday 8/28: Fire & Rescue Day | Beef Day | Senior Citizen’s Day | College Student Discount Day
Celebrating New York's beef industry and farmers, Beef Day, will include some fun events at the Chevy Court Pavilion. In honor of active and retired fire department members, this day will allow free admission with a valid department ID and commemorate those involved with a special ceremony in front of the Horticulture Building at 11 am. In addition, those age 60 and up will enjoy free admission to the fair. Come for the events, the food, and live performances, including the Temptations at 2 pm and Dickey Betts at 8 pm.
Day 8 - Wednesday 8/29: Women’s Day | College Student Discount Day
101 years ago, women earned the right to vote in New York State. Special programs and a Women's Day Luncheon (reservations required) will be offered throughout the day. A mini-fair will be held from 10 am to 4 pm featuring many advocacy groups for women. In the evening, rapper Lil Yachty will take the stage at Chevy Court.
Day 9 - Thursday 8/30: Armed Forces 
Day | Dairy Day | $3 Thursday | College Student Discount Day
Chocolate milk and thick shakes are, to any dairy-lover, the crème de la crème of beverages. As the state's official drink, "Milk" is center stage on Dairy Day, as is the official state snack, "Yogurt". It's a good day to visit the famous butter sculpture. Whether you’re a milk lover or not, this day is full of deals including $3 Thursday admission as well as free admission for active duty or military veteran personnel with a valid ID. Join the community in honoring our armed forces with ceremonies at the Veterans Memorial at 11 am and the Special Day Parade at 6 pm. Hanson performs in the evening at Chevy Court.
Day 10 - Friday 8/31: Six Nations Day | New American Day | Students' Day | SU Football Day | College Student Discount Day
In addition to a Special Day Parade in honor of Six Nations Day, all Native Americans will receive free admission to the Fair. ID is not required, but the Fair kindly requests that attendees enter through Gate 4 
on this day. Be witness to a touching ceremony at the Empire Room restaurant in the Art & Home Center where 100 people from around the world will become new American citizens. Anyone wearing Syracuse University apparel can pay just $1 for entrance in celebration of the opening day of the football season. Plus, students age 18 and under receive free admission—an ID with date of birth may be requested at the gate. Friday will be the first day of the new-for-2018 Storytelling Competition. The evening performers at Chevy Court will be Big & Rich (8 pm).
Day 11 - Saturday 9/1: Grange Day | College Student Discount Day
Grange Day celebrates rural communities and agriculture across NY State so enjoy special events throughout the day. Day 1 of the Food Truck Competition kicks off with $3 samples from more than 20 different food trucks. The second day of the Storytelling Competition will be held. Collective Soul performs during the day at 2 pm with ZZ Top bringing down the house at 8 pm.
Day 12 - Sunday 9/2: College Student Discount Day
Tasty BBQ, grilled PB&J, and specialty treats—if you haven't experienced the Taste NY Food Truck Competition, do your taste buds a favor and go this year. Sunday marks the second day of the annual event where more than 20 food trucks will bring snacks, samples, and more to the State Fair. Dance off those tasty treats with live music by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie in the evening at Chevy Court.
Day 13 - Monday 9/3: Labor Day | Summer Send-Off “Dollar Day”
Happy Labor Day! The Summer Send-Off "Dollar Day" makes the holiday that much sweeter with $1 adult admission all day. If you haven't yet had your dose of adrenaline, head to Wade Shows Midway jump on any ride (aside from Broadway Skyliner) for just $1. If you're looking for bursts of color and music that night, you've come to the right place as the closing firework show and live musical performances (by Maren Morris at 2 pm and Niall Horan at 8 pm) will be the perfect send-off to summer.
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*Sweepstakes open to residents of the continental United States. For a full copy of the official rules, click here.