The fair has evolved quite a bit since it was first started in 1841 with $8,000 from the New York State Legislature to promote "agriculture and household manufacturers in the State." About 10,000 people showed up the first year.
At today's fair, which draws more than 1 million people, you can find amusement park rides, musical acts, antiques, dancing, basketball tournaments, Guitar Hero contests, and even trained bear acts. Of course, there are still plenty of food and agriculture events too.
Here's a sampling, from the events website:
Bobby Flay, Food Network star chef, will prepare several dishes on the Chevy Court stage at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, and host a book signing.
Women's Day Luncheon at the Art & Home Center on Women's Day, Wednesday, September 2 will feature "A Ticket to Sustainability at Home" with guest speaker Prof. Elet Callahan from the S.U. Whitman School of Management, 11:00am at The Empire Room. Cost is $20.00 per person and includes Fair admission & parking. You can also vist the Women's Informational Mini-Fair in the Chevy Court Pavilion from 10:00am-4:00pm, enjoy demonstrations, exhibits & competitions in the Art & Home Center all day long. Call 315-487-7711 ext. 1265 for more info.
A collection of antique farm tractors and other historic and unique farm implements, produced before 1960, runs every day of the State Fair at two locations: next to the Agriculture Museum and inside Gate 10.
Butter & Cheese Sculptures will be at the Dairy Products Building, including a hands-on clay model of the butter sculpture at the Dairy Princess Booth and actual carving in process.
Culinary Competitions, including the state's best pies, cakes, jams, breads and other homemade goodies vie for ribbons in this traditional, county fair competition. Less traditional contests include chicken wings, chili, Spam dishes and fried food on a stick. Located in the McNeil & Co. Art & Home Center.
Milking Parlor: Twice a day, in the Toyota Dairy Cattle Center's Milking Parlor, cows at the Fair are milked. Then the milk is picked up and processed and returned to the Rainbow Milk Bar in the Dairy Products Center, where it is served to Fairgoers. Do you prefer white or chocolate?
Moo Country, in the Toyota Dairy Cattle Center, offers a chance for young and old to learn just about everything there is to know about New York's dairy breeds. Kids can come by and help feed calves their milk at 9:00am, 1:00pm, 5:00pm and 9:00pm. There are calves to pet and a "farming for kids" video and "birthing a calf" video to watch. Information booths showing many interesting topics and fun for the whole family await you there.
New York Maple Center, in the Horticulture Building, offers cooking-with-maple programs at 12 noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. every day of the Fair. Learn about the history of maple production in New York State. Taste samples of new products like maple barbeque sauce, maple flavored coffee, and spicy maple seasoning. Shop for traditional favorites - maple syrup, maple cream, and maple granulated sugar. Watch authentic maple sugar candy being made or try maple ice cream.
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