Governor Cuomo Highlights Dramatic Increase in Attendance and Refocused Commitment to Local Agriculture at 2014 Great New York State Fair
“The Great New York State Fair brings together the best that New York’s agricultural industry has to offer – ultimately raising the profile of so many farmers, vendors and small business owners from across Upstate,” Governor Cuomo said. “With new leadership, a revitalized infrastructure, home-grown products at every corner, and a renewed emphasis on its natural strengths, this was truly the best Fair yet. This approach mirrors our efforts to grow the Upstate economy and the tremendous attendance at this year’s Fair is one more sign that Upstate is on the move.”
On Saturday, August 30, fueled by a total sellout concert by Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, the Great New York State Fair recorded the largest attendance ever in its 168 year history with 120,617 fairgoers coming through the gates, breaking a record that had stood for 25 years. Fueled by the first ever “Dollar Day” at the Fair, Monday, September 1 brought another 122,870 through the gates to set a new record.
Total attendance for the Fair was 965,147.
The 2014 Fair also brought a return of the Taste NY Wine, Beer, and Spirits Village at the Colonnades, much to the delight of fairgoers. The open-air Taste NY tent, located by the main entrance, featured more than 80 New York State food and beverage producers with long lines from fairgoers eager to sample and buy their products. Taste NY wine and cheese pairing seminars brought standing room only crowds to the Horticulture Building twice a day. The Taste NY trivia trail offered daily prizes for fairgoers interested in learning about New York agriculture. The 2nd Annual Taste NY Wine and Cheese Competition produced a winning pair in a Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2012 Solera Sherry and a Yancey’s Fancy Gouda Cheese.
The New York State Maple Producers Association debuted an interactive display showing fairgoers how maple syrup is made, and the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York brought a new look exhibit with an interactive component for all fairgoers.
Entertainment packed all areas of the fairgrounds, featuring world class performers such as Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood and Kid Rock at the Grandstand; Jason Derulo, Phillip Phillips, Bell Biv DeVoe and the Doobie Brothers on Chevy Court; country legend John Anderson on the Midway Music Series stage; and an array of grounds entertainers that kept fairgoers entertained at every turn. The Grandstand saw an increase in ticket sales of 28 percent compared to 2013 and 43 percent compared to 2012. Average tickets per show increased by 19 percent over 2012 and 44 percent over 2013.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “At the 2014 Great New York State Fair, we crafted a venue with agriculture front and center, and as a result people turned out in droves. I couldn’t be prouder of the work our team did to bring the Fair back to a venue that all New Yorkers can be proud of. I thank Troy Waffner for his tireless work in making this Fair an undeniable success.”
Acting State Fair Director Troy Waffner said, “This was a true team effort by a dedicated staff here in Syracuse in cooperation with a great and supportive team in Albany. This was my fifth Fair. The Fair is something that gets in your blood when you work here. Every day the staff and I live and breathe the Fair and we couldn’t be more proud to do so. We hope that every New Yorker who visited this year went away with a smile, and left with a true appreciation of just how ‘great’ the Great New York State Fair can be. As our theme says, this was the Summer’s Best in Show.”
Other statistics also reflected the rejuvenation of the Fair. The Fair’s signature 25 cent cup of perfectly chilled cold milk was a hot item, selling out on the final day despite an emergency shipment that arrived at midday. At the Heluva Good Cheese Baked Potato Booth, 55,182 potatoes were sold for $1 each, eclipsing last year’s record. The all-new Wade Shows Midway reported sales and ridership numbers well above last year’s levels.
About the Great New York State Fair
The Great New York State Fair is operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and showcases the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment. This year’s tagline, “New Attractions, Old Favorites, Timeless Fun," highlighted the more than two dozen new events and attractions and the expansion or enhancement of several Fairgoer favorites. The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website. Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, and enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/NYSFair. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at StateFairIdeas@agriculture.ny.gov.