New York State Fair

Seen at the New York State Fair
By NewsHouse Staff
September 3, 2015 - 11:20am
Photographers explore the the New York State Fairgrounds in search of moments and images that capture the annual event.

Midway rides. Fried foods. Animal exhibits. Live music.

For nearly two weeks at the close of every summer, the New York State Fair serves up these in hopes of generating memories for hundreds of thousands of people.

With a wide array or entertainment, exhibits and foods, the opportunities seem endless for nearly 1 million visitors expected during the 12-day event.

First day feelings
By Maggie Gilroy
August 31, 2015 - 1:51pm
Students on the quad shared their feelings as the first day of classes for the 2015-16 academic year kicked off.

Feelings ranged from “caffeine deprived” to “buzzing” as both new and returning students climbed back up the hill to begin the 2015-16 academic year at Syracuse University.

The Great New York State Fair-well to Summer
By Seamus Kirst
September 2, 2014 - 3:57pm
The fair ran for 12 days and captured an array of the Empire State's culture from livestock, to Native American Heritage, to fried tasty treats.

The Great New York State Fair is a buzzing, wonderfully chaotic place, where hundreds of thousands of people from all across the Empire State gather to celebrate all that this glorious state has to offer. Whether you’re a city-dweller or making your way in from the country, whether you’ve come to claim a blue ribbon for your prized cattle or come to eat deep-fried Oreos and ride the tilt-a-whirl until you hurl, the fair has something for everyone.

The Bacon Brothers bring on the cheese to rock state fair crowd
By Kate Drozynski
August 27, 2014 - 1:08pm
Review: Movie and television star Kevin Bacon brought his Hollywood swagger to the New York State Fair with his band, The Bacon Brothers, on Aug. 23.

The New York State Fair is all about fried delights and guilty pleasures, but it was an entirely different kind of bacon that drew a crowd at the Chevy Court stage on Saturday night. 

Actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael performed as The Bacon Brothers, doling outbursts of wisdom and life lessons during their hour-and-a-half-long set.

CNY Brewfest spreads good beer and good cheer in Syracuse
By DJ Summers
February 10, 2014 - 5:40pm
This year's CNY Brewfest brought 1,500 drinkers and 103 breweries together under one roof at The State Fair Exhibit Center.

The 18th annual CNY Brewfest, held Saturday at the New York State Fairgrounds, takes a loose approach to commerce that ties into attendee David Brennon’s goal. Brewfest is less about making money than spreading good beer and good cheer.

Fair's Dairy Birthing Center offers unique learning experience
By Will Norris
September 3, 2013 - 5:41pm
The newly-installed Dairy Birthing Center at the New York State Fair saw a crowd of over 5,000 people on its busiest day.

The chance to see a cow give birth drew thousands of spectators to the New York State Fair Dairy Birthing Center this past week. Organizers estimate that some of the fair’s busiest days saw over 5,000 people lining fences and sitting on metal bleachers with the hopes of seeing a calf delivered. 

Every day, three to four cows – only hours away from giving birth – were brought into the fair from local farms, according to herd manager and host of the birthing center Jason Fetzer.

Lions, Tigers and Circuses--Oh My!
By Matthew Ehalt
April 6, 2010 - 1:53pm
Vincent Von Duke is a sixth-generation animal trainer, who performed at the New York State Fairgrounds with the Tigris Shrine Circus.

For Vincent Von Duke, training lions and tigers is a family business. His family came to America from Europe in the 1920s and started training the large felines. Von Duke is continuing the tradition today as a sixth-generation trainer with his two lions and three tigers: a male lion, a female lion, a white tiger, red Siberian tiger and orange Bengal tiger.