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Campus & Community

The New York State Fair: Everything You Need to Know

Wednesday, August 20, 2025, By News Staff
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Late August in Central New York not only means the return of students to the 黑料不打烊 campus, but also the return of the . The fair is a 13-day festival of entertainment, agricultural exhibitions, cultural performances rides, food and fun.

Whether you are a seasoned fairgoer or plan to go for the first time, we have put together a guide that covers everything you need to know.

General Information

The New York State Fair opens Wednesday, Aug. 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. It is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day except for Labor Day, when it closes at 9 p.m.

Student Experience will sponsor a trip to the fair on Saturday, Aug. 30. Tickets, which are $3, will be available in the on Monday, Aug. 25.

Building Hours

Young girl in red shirt and white pants showing a brown swiss cow.

The Brown Swiss competition at the 2024 New York State Fair (Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski/NYS Fair)

Buildings will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with following exceptions: the Daniel Parrish Witter Agriculture Museum will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the Wegmans Art and Home Center will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the Eatery Building will be open until 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and the Dairy Products Building will be open until 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (the Milk Bar closes at 9 p.m.).

Tickets and Parking

Admission to the fair is $8.32 (including fees), and free for those who are 65 years old and older or children 12 years old and younger.

There are three ways to purchase tickets:

  • Online:
  • Over the phone: By calling Etix toll-free at 1.800.514.3849 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday
  • At the gate: Kiosks positioned at all gates will be used for electronic ticket purchases. Large signs featuring QR codes will direct fairgoers to Etix to purchase tickets.

Note: Ticketing is completely cashless. Machines that can convert cash into a usable card will be positioned at the fair鈥檚 main gate. Self-service kiosks will be available at all gates to purchase admission tickets.

Special fair days include the following:

  • Wacky Wednesdays (Wednesdays, Aug. 20 and 27): One day, ride-all day wristbands
    People on a midway ride at the New York State Fair

    Fairgoers take in the thrill rides along the Midway section at the 2024 fair. (Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski/NYS Fair)

    for $30.

  • Student Youth Day (Thursday, Aug. 21): Youth and students aged 18 years old and younger will receive free admission. In some cases, they may be asked for photo identification to verify their birthday.
  • Pride Day (Friday, Aug. 22): A flag-raising ceremony and parade will be held.
  • Family Fishing Day (Fridays, Aug. 22 and 29): Noon to 5 p.m. at the pond in the Experience Area, near Suburban Park. No fishing license is required, and loaner rods are available. All ages and abilities are welcome.
  • New Americans Day (Friday, Aug. 22): A citizenship ceremony for 100 new Americans will be held at 11 a.m. at the Art and Home Center.
  • Law Enforcement Day (Monday, Aug. 25): Active and retired members of police and/or corrections departments will receive free admission with a badge or picture ID from the department from which they are or were employed. The day includes a ceremony for fallen officers and a parade.
  • Fire, Rescue and EMS Day (Tuesday, Aug. 26): Active and retired members of fire, emergency services and EMS agencies will receive free admission with photo identification from that department or organization. A ceremony and parade will be held.
  • Women鈥檚 Day (Wednesday, Aug. 27): The day will include a health and wellness mini-fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chevy Court Pavilion.
  • Sensory Friendly Day (Wednesday, Aug. 27): guests can enjoy a sensory-friendly experience with limited lights and sounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Armed Forces Day (Thursday, Aug. 28): All members of the military鈥攁ctive duty and veteran鈥攚ill receive free admission with proper military identification (Military ID card, form DD-214 or New York State driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID card with a veteran designation).

    Two people perform a Native American Loop Dance

    Cece Young and Darice Sampson of the Seneca Nation perform the Hoop Dance in the Indian Village (Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski/NYS Fair)

  • Native Americans Day (Friday, Aug. 29): All people who identify as Native American will receive free admission. The Indian Village will feature cultural performances and crafts.
  • Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1): A parade led by members of organized labor will be held.

Parking tickets may be purchased for $12.41* (including fees) in several ways, including the following:

  • Online:
  • Over the phone: By calling Etix toll-free at 1.800.514.3849 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday
  • At the lot: Drivers can pay for parking by credit card in each lot.
  • Note: EZPass Plus is no longer an option for parking.

For directions and a parking map, visit this .

Transportation

2024 New York State Fair Butter Sculpture

The butter sculpture at the 2024 New York State Fair (Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski/NYS Fair)

There are , with the downtown Centro hub and Destiny USA being the closest to campus. Those buses will run directly to the fair from 8:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Return service will run from 9 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. (9:15 p.m. on Labor Day). The fee to ride the shuttle one way is $1 for adults and $.50 for senior citizens, children 6 to 9 years old and those living with disabilities. Children under 6 are free.

Visit the University鈥檚 for information on Centro buses that stop at the Centro hub and Destiny USA.

Midway Hours

The Midway will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, except on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, when it closes at 9 p.m. For details about ride tickets, visit the .

Food

Two young women in blue shirts eating baked potatoes

Fairgoers enjoy treats from the baked potato booth at the 2024 fair (Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski/NYS Fair)

One of the biggest attractions at the fair is the food! From sausage sandwiches to barbecue, apples to deep fried treats, there is something to please every appetite. Two perennial fair favorites鈥攖he 25-cent cup of milk, located in the Dairy Products Building, and the $1 baked potato, located in the Horticulture Building鈥攚ill 聽be back.

Select vendors will offer discounted samples as part of 鈥淭asty Tuesday鈥 on Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Samples will be available for $3 to $5 each. To plan out your meals, and search the Fair Finder section.

Live Entertainment and Attractions

Included with your admission is access to many different forms of live entertainment and attractions. The Latino Village, Pan-African Village, Indian Village and Asian Village are brimming with cultural offerings. You can plan your trip in advance with the .

Performer on stage holding a guitar with white and green lights in the background

The Dropkick Murphys performs at the Suburban Park Stage at the 2024 fair (Photo by Warren Linhart/NYS Fair)

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