Quick State Fair Info
- Do children get in free?
Children 12 and under are free everyday, children 16 and under are free on August 29 only. - How much does daily admission cost?
A daily admission ticket is $10.00 at the gate. - Does your concert ticket include your admission to the Fair?
Tickets purchased before the day of any concert allows free admission the day of that show. - How do I get to the Fairgrounds?
Check out our Visitor Information Center for directions, our Centro Bus Schedule, or information about Amtrak train service. - How do I prove I'm a veteran on Veterans Day?
Provide a veteran's ID or discharge papers at the gate and receive free admission. - Are pets allowed, even if they are leashed?
No, unless they are in a competition or are working dogs or canine companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Fair?
- Where is the Fair?
- What are the hours of the Fair?
- What are admission prices?
- What about parking?
- What is the smoking policy at the Fair?
- What do I have to wear at the Fair?
- Can I bring food & beverages to the Fair?
- Is there tram service?
- Is there Centro bus service?
- Is there Amtrak train service?
- Are there stroller, wagon or wheelchair rentals?
- Where do you find general info during the Fair?
- Who is performing at the Grandstand & Court?
- What special days are there at the Fair?
- What attractions & events will be at the Fair?
- What about the Midway by the Strates Shows?
- What if someone gets lost?
- Where is first aid available?
- Where are the ATM services?
- Where are the TTY phones?
- Are there jobs available for the 2008 Fair?
Q. When is the Fair?
A. Thursday, August 21 through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2008.
Q. Where is the Fair?
A. The New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y. are adjacent to Route 690 West. The Fairgrounds are accessible from the New York State Thruway, exit 39 (from the West) and 34A (from the East), and Route 81 from the North and South.
Q. What are the hours of the Fair?
A. Gates open at 8:00 am daily. Exhibit buildings are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, with the exception of Labor Day when they close at 9:00pm. The Midway is open until midnight every night of the Fair (closing time subject to change without notice).
Q. What are admission prices?
A. Admission to the Fair is $10 at any gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free every day of the Fair. Seniors 60 and over are admitted free on Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26. Students 16 and under are admitted free on Friday, August 29.
Q. What about parking?
A. Ample parking is available in designated lots around the Fair. Follow signs from 690 west. Cost is $5 per vehicle. A free shuttle bus service is provided from the upper lots to the Main Gate. E-Z Pass Plus will be accepted in the Brown and Orange lots. Follow the Purple E-ZPass Plus signs for quick, cashless access. Click here for information about our Temporary RV Parking.
Q. What is the smoking policy at the Fair?
A. Smoking is allowed on the Fairgrounds in general areas that are permitted by New York State Law. In the Mohegan Sun Grandstand smoking is not allowed (ticket holders who wish to smoke will have to use a designated area away from the concert seats). Tobacco products will not be sold anywhere on the Fairgrounds.
Q. What do I have to wear at the fair?
A. Each visitor to the New York State Fair will be required to wear a shirt and footwear.
Q. Can I bring food & beverages to the fair?
A. While Fairgoers can and are encouraged to bring coolers with food and drink, they will not be allowed to carry any alcoholic beverages through the gates. Additionally, all liquids must be in plastic or cans. No glass bottles or containers will be allowed. The only exception at the Fairgrounds is the Mohegan Sun Grandstand where coolers, bottles, cans and glass are not allowed.
Q. Is there tram service?
A. Fairgoers are able to make use of the Fair’s internal tram network for a set rate of $2 a day. The trams travel around the perimeter road, stopping at 11 scheduled stops. Service runs 9:00am-8:00pm.
Q. Is there Centro Bus service?
A. Centro Bus service will be available from hundreds of locations throughout Central New York to the Fair. Click here for a full Centro bus schedule (schedule subject to change). For more information, please contact the Centro InfoLine in Syracuse at 315-442-3400, Centro in Auburn at 315-685-7075 or Centro in Oswego at 315-342-4400.
Q. Is there Amtrak train service?
A. From New York City to Niagara Falls, and all stops in between, Amtrak will provide door-to-door transportation to the Fairgrounds throughout the entire run of this year's Fair, August 21 through September 1.
Q. Are there stroller, wagon or wheelchair rentals?
A. For those who have trouble doing the Fair by foot and for the little ones who will tire out, the Fair offers strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and electric scooters. Vista Mobility Specialists provides strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and electric carts for rent. Supplies are limited. Vista is now accepting online reservations for electric carts ONLY. Click here to find out more about this option.
| Daily Rental Rates | ||
| Equipment | Rate | Deposit |
| Strollers | $9.00 | Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card |
| Wagons | $13.00 | Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card |
| Wheelchairs | $15.00 | Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card |
| Electric Carts | $45.00 | Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card |
| Special Electric Cart "twilight" rental rate of $30.00 after 6:00pm | ||
| Rental locations: outside Main Gate, inside Gate 4 & outside Gate 1 | ||
Note: Rentals are on a first-come, first service
basis. Vista's policy is to rent electric carts only to individuals
who have medical or physical needs. Vista does not rent to children
or young adults. In addition, a Vista representative will "wrist
band" the renter, in order to visibly identify the only "authorized" operator
of the electric cart.
Q. Where do I find general information during the fair?
A. Fairgoers can use any of our three Guest Relations facilities sponsored by JetBlue. The first Guest Relations center is located just inside the Main Gate (Gate 1), the second is located just inside Gate 4, the third at Gate 10. These facilities provide information on all aspects of the Fair and surrounding Syracuse area. Fairgoers can stop by one of these locations from 9:00am to 9:00pm daily.
Q. Who is performing at the Grandstand & Court?
A. Click
here for a schedule of Grandstand performers.
Click here for
a schedule of Court performers.
Q. What Special Days are there at the fair?
A. See a list on our Special Days page.
Q. What Attractions & Events will be at the fair?
A. See a list on our Fair Attractions & Events page.
Q. What about the Strates Midway at the fair?
A. The Strates Shows Midway, the only railroad carnival in the United States, provides the best rides and games for the New York State Fair. Hit the Midway for lots of fun every day of the Fair until midnight. Ride all day for $25.00 each day on Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22 or Monday, August 25 through Thursday, August 28. $5.00 Off coupons available from Pepsi/Tully's for August 21, Coke/Fastrac for August 22 and Fuccillo's for August 25-28.
Q. What if someone gets lost?
A. Once again, Wegmans’ “Lost Kid” Tags provide quick identification for those who become separated from their group. Tags are available at all gates and from all New York State Troopers or at Guest Relations Centers. Lost persons will be brought to the Lost Persons Center located between the Main Gate and Gate 12.
Q. Where is first aid available?
A. There are two First-Aid stations at the Fair. The main infirmary facility is located directly behind the Horticulture Building and another is within the Fire Station near the Youth Activity Center.
Q. Where are the ATM services?
A. Solvay Bank provides ATM services throughout the Fairgrounds. The sites are as follows: Inside and outside the Main Gate (Gate 1); inside Gate 3; at Tram Stop 10 near Gate 4; inside Gate 10; across from The Shamrock and Gianelli’s Restaurants near the DEC Log Cabin; in the lobby of the Americraft Center of Progress Building; at the State Park entrance to the Pepsi International Pavilion; behind the DEC Aquarium building; under the Grandstand; at the Midway restrooms; Rest & Eat at end of Restaurant Row near the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Q. Where are the TTY phones?
A. The TTY phone is located at the Administration Building located next to the Main Gate (Gate 1).
Q. Are there jobs available for the 2008 fair?
A. The only jobs available are through Extreme Clean USA, the trash removal company for the Fair this year. You will need to fill out an application on Sunday, August 17th at 10:00am at Gate 7. You will need to bring a state ID or drivers licenses as well as a social security card or birth certificate. As of August 9, 2008 there are no longer any other positions available through the New York State Fair.
The New York State Fair does not hire for any of the food vendors or concessionaires. In addition, the New York State Fair will not forward any applications to food vendors or concessionaires. If you are interested in a job with a food vendor or concessionaire, you must apply with them directly.
