State Fair will
reopen for 2021

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday, April 26, that the New York State Fair will take place in 2021, after being canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Tickets will be sold for each of the outdoor areas, so families can decide which areas they want to visit and plan their day accordingly. To ensure capacity limits and social distancing, attendance at concerts and other live performances will be limited.

The New York State Fair, which is held in Syracuse, will take place from Friday, Aug. 20 through Monday, Sept. 6.

Cuomo said there will be 50% capacity allowed at the fair and there will be no vaccination requirements to attend. Other state and federal pandemic restrictions may apply, but Wednesday, April 28, the Center for Disease Control said it would be relaxing guidelines for mask wearing outside and for people who are full vaccinated.

“The New York State Fair is one of our biggest and most exciting tourist attractions that celebrates the spirit of New York and generates economic growth for the region and the entire state,” Cuomo said in a media release. “I’ve said time and again that no one wants to open the Fair this year more than I do – and we are finally making it happen in a safe, responsible way with the 2021 Reimagined New York State Fair. This celebration is a unique reward for New Yorkers who have made so many sacrifices during this pandemic and will allow visitors from across the state and the country to enjoy some of the best attractions the Fair has to offer with all necessary safety guidelines in place. This is an important step towards the full return of New York’s largest events as we continue to reopen and reimagine our state’s economy.”

According to the media release: Capacity limits will be reexamined and adjusted if necessary to comply with health and safety guidelines. The fairground’s buildings will not be open to the public, except for bathrooms. Attendees will be required to observe social distancing and wear masks, except when eating or drinking. People buying food and drinks will be asked to sit while they eat and drink, and ample tables and dining spaces will be available. Midway rides, games and attractions, as well as all surfaces of frequent customer contact will be rigorously and frequently cleaned and sanitized.

The 2021 reimagined New York State Fair will take place in four outdoor areas across the fairgrounds, one representing each of the major elements of the fair:

• An array of food and beverage including some of the fair’s most iconic culinary experiences, such as the Pizze Fritte, sausage sandwiches and wine slushies;
• Daily concerts from national touring performers in the scenic, spacious New York Experience festival grounds;
• Amusement rides, games and attractions for all ages on the Midway;
• Farm animals on display to introduce the young and young-at-heart to New York’s agriculture.

Among the acts who will be performing are REO Speedwagon, Dropkick Murphys, Sheena Easton, Great White, Vixen and the Oak Ridge Boys.

“We’ve been honored to have served the state as one of the nation’s largest vaccination centers and are happy that our facilities have been used for blood drives, testing and other aspects of the fight against COVID-19,” State Fair Director Troy Waffner said in a media release. So it will be a special treat to welcome people back to the Fairgrounds so we can do what we do best – show New Yorkers a great time.”