New York State Fairgrounds and Expo Center

 fairground  Add category

 Upload a photo

581 State Fair Boulevard
Syracuse, NY 13209
(315) 487-7711
nysfair.ny.gov/

At the crossroads of New York State, near the intersection of the primary east-west and north-south highways, lies the New York State Fairgrounds and Empire Expo Center, home of the New York State Fair.

The grounds contain 107 structures and 21 permanent buildings on 375 acres of land adjacent to the Interstate Highway System. There is a a mainline railroad spur and on-site parking for 24,000 vehicles. This is the largest and most accessible event site in the state.

In 1841, the New York State Legislature appropriated $8,000 for the "promotion of agriculture and household manufacturers in the State" through an annual fair, the first of its kind in the nation. The Village of Syracuse, the center of farming interests in New York as well as the central point on the Erie Canal and a way-station on the developing railroad lines from Albany, on the Hudson River in the east, to Buffalo, the State's western outpost, was selected for the two-day event.

In 1890, thanks to the efforts of a prominent group of Syracusans led by James Geddes, the Fair moved to Syracuse, permanently. The Geddes group convinced the Agricultural Society and State political leaders that Syracuse was the best permanent site for many reasons, including its previous success, its geographic location and railroad facilities. Land was purchased by Geddes and his group and given to the State Agricultural Society with the understanding that the land could be used by the State only as long as the Fair remained on the land. The State and the Society made good on that commitment by declaring Syracuse the permanent site for an annual New York State Fair. Livestock buildings were constructed and a half-mile track was laid out.

Since then, the 125-acre tract of pastureland purchased by James Geddes and Syracuse Associates for $30,000 has more than tripled in acreage and the land and buildings more recently were valued at more than $115 million.

In the early days of the 20th Century, following the Fair's permanent assignment to Syracuse, plans were drawn for a physical plant on a grand scale. Those plans included a number of huge buildings, elaborately decorated in a Greek classical mode, surrounding a central, park-like open area. Construction was begun and several of the structures were erected and remain as the multiple centerpieces of the Fairgrounds today.

Over the years, the Empire Expo Center has been expanded, buildings and grounds have been rejuvenated and revitalized, the race track was lengthened to a full mile oval for the 1901 Fair, and the Fair has continued to grow. In more recent years, buildings designed for summer use only have been winterized to accommodate the sometimes daunting winter climate of Central New York.

Today, nearly 350,000 square feet of warm, indoor space is available at the Empire Expo Center for winter events such as boat shows, giant farm machinery expositions, recreational vehicle shows, outdoor sports shows, automobile shows and more.

In addition, power lines that once laced the grounds now are underground; buildings have been made accessible to fairgoers with handicapping conditions; and pavement has replaced dirt walkways.