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“We’re proud of the growth that has happened here, between Governor Cuomo’s investments in our facilities and our non-stop efforts to keep our programming exciting and new. We’re building something special here and we’re making the Great New York State Fair greater year after year,” said Troy Waffner, Fair Director.

The Great New York State Fair is third behind only Texas and Minnesota for total attendance among state fairs, with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Eastern States Exposition (a private, multi-state fair), the Canadian National Exposition and the county fairs of Orange and San Diego counties of California coming in above the Fair overall. Two other New York State fairs made the rankings: the Erie County Fair, in 13th place and the Dutchess County Fair, in 49th place.

The Fair has seen record investments and significant improvements over the last few years, leading to the increase in attendance. Programming innovation began in 2014 with the appointment of Waffner as Acting Director. Massive facilities changes began after the 2015 Fair with the first infusion of more than $120 million from New York State that allowed the removal of non-performing facilities and the construction of areas and structures that improved revenue and attendance, such as the brand new, state of the art Exposition Center. Attendance at the Fair has grown more than 40% in the three years since the renovations, programming and marketing improvements began.

Accelerating CNY Rising
Today's announcement complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $5.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.

Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair is America’s third largest state fair. The fair showcases the best of New York agriculture and provides top-quality entertainment. The 2019 Fair runs from August 21 to September 2. Information about the Fair can be found here.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available here. Find the Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, on Snapchat at nysfair and enjoy photos from the Fair on Flickr. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.

Media Contacts:
Jola Szubielski
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
518-457-0752

Dave Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377