Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that advance ticket sales for the 2016 Great New York State Fair are available online and in stores statewide. Advance sale tickets, which remain among the lowest of any state fair in the nation at just $6, will offer fairgoers 40 percent savings on admission prices during any of the 12 days of the Fair and additional discounted prices for Wade Shows Midway rides.

“There will never be another fair like the 2016 Great New York State Fair, with a transformed facility that will enhance our fairgoers experience and mark the beginning of a new era for the Fair,” said Governor Cuomo. “The Fairgrounds have not undergone a major revitalization in more than a century, and with so many exciting attractions, new additions and plenty of tradition, this will be a fair you won’t want to miss.”

Advance admission tickets are available here or at hundreds of Wegmans, Price Chopper, Tops or Express Mart outlets in New York State. Tickets are also available at participating retail outlets, with the full list available here.

New this year, Fair admission is included in the purchase of a Destiny USA Summer Fun Day Pass, available here.

Midway Discounts
Money-saving vouchers for rides on the spectacular Wade Shows Midway are also on sale online here and in some retail outlets beginning Friday. A voucher good for a ride-all-day wristband for the Wade Shows Midway is $20 and is good Monday through Friday only, while the $25 wristband is good for weekends. The $70 Mega Pass allows fairgoers to access Midway rides all day, every day of the Fair. Those who purchase wristbands or Mega Passes online will receive vouchers that can be redeemed at the Wade Shows Midway during the Fair.

Wade Shows offers another special promotion on Wednesday, Aug. 31 with wristbands good for 10 rides available for $10. Wade Shows recommends parents view height requirements and restrictions online here before purchasing a wristband or tickets for children.

Discount Admission Days
Designated special days and additional promotions make the Fair even more affordable. Admission on the two Thursdays of the Fair is just $3, and the final day, Labor Day, honors working men and women with the best deal at any fair in America -- $1 admission and $1 Midway rides all day, topped with a concert by the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame band Chicago and fireworks. Online tickets for Three Dollar Thursdays and Dollar Day on Labor Day will be available online later this summer, or fairgoers can also pay cash at the gate. Admission for children 12 and under is free.

Regular advance sale tickets may also be used on those days, but no refund for the difference can be given. Many special days offer free admission to the Fair for certain groups, including Law Enforcement Day (Aug. 26), Senior Citizens’ Days (Aug. 29 and 30), Fire and Rescue Day (Aug. 30), Armed Forces Day (Sept. 1), and Six Nations Day and Students Day (Sept. 2). Details on special days can be found at http://nysfair.ny.gov/your-visit/special-fair-days/.

The advance ticket sale and the Fair’s transformation will be promoted through the Fair’s new marketing campaign this year, “Find Your Great.” The campaign was created by the Fair and its advertising agency, Dixon Schwabl of Rochester. Research on fairgoers indicates that people do many of the same things from year to year and may not take advantage of the opportunities to experience something new and exciting at the Fair. The campaign encourages fairgoers to discover what’s great about the Fair for them, and also highlights the emotional connection people have to the Fair as a place to have a close family outing, a great date or a fun visit with friends.

The New York State Fairgrounds is undergoing the most significant transformation since it first opened its gates in 1890. The $50 million plan, announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, revitalizes the grounds in many ways, improving the quality of the fairgoer’s experience and providing greater economic benefits for the region. Improvements include the dramatic new Main Gate— the arches of which recall the carriage gate that greeted fairgoers in 1900, a larger Wade Shows Midway that will hold more rides than ever, and the brand new Empire RV Park with underground water, sewer and electrical service.

The historic quad of the Fairgrounds will also be more open, with most vendors moved into new programming areas. This will provide more seating, with a new plaza adjacent to the Science and Industry Building set aside for tables with umbrellas. The larger Midway will offer wider, more spacious aisles with electrical service installed underground, making it easier for fairgoers to move around. There will also be more misting stations and areas to catch some relief from the late summer heat.

Though some elements may be in new places, the Great New York State Fair traditions of food, music and agriculture remain unchanged. From the $1 baked potato with all the fixings and the more than 500 free musical performances around the Fairgrounds to the live animal exhibits, such as the Dairy Cattle Birthing Exhibit, the Fair favorites will return. Several new options for entertainment, interactive animal exhibits and an even wider diversity in food offerings will be announced soon.

Today's announcement complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested nearly $3 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 25 to September 5, 2016. The Fair’s mission is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.

In addition to the annual New York State Fair, the Fairgrounds host dozens of agricultural events throughout the year, including some of the Northeast’s most prestigious horse and livestock shows.

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.