Gov. Kathy Hochul announced New York State Fair return to 13 days next year

Syracuse, New York – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that next year the fair will return to its normal 13 days.

“The Great New York State Fair is a celebration of this exciting place we all call home, and this year’s Fair was no different, delivering a safe and fun event for all,” Governor Hochul said in a news release Thursday. “Returning to a 13-day schedule next year ensures that fairgoers can once again experience all of their favorite shows, exhibits, vendors, and attractions around the New York State Fair while also supporting greater coordination with our county and youth fairs.”

While the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic, in 2021’s 18-day fair, 798,095 people attended compared to a record-breaking 1,329,275 in 2019.

According to a fair Director Troy Waffner, the 18 days was just too long and was challenging for vendors to staff for. He thinks the change back to 13 is the right move for fairgoers, vendors, Fairground employees, and everyone else.

“It’s just a long haul for vendors and staff who end up working 30, 35 days straight,” he said. “Our kid numbers were way down and I think part of that is parents making the right decision that they want their kids to go to school instead of going to the Fair without any risk.”

Co-owner of Strong Hearts Café, Joel Capolongo, has been going to the Fair for six years. He says attendance was disappointing and sales reflected that, and the shorter fair is welcomed.

“It was a challenging year no doubt. 18 days is a long haul. It’s hard to staff and event that long especially as a small business,” he said. “We’re hopeful with a shorter event attendance picks back up.”

The shorter dates will also help not conflict with other fairs in the state and how that may impact vendors and exhibits doing both, Waffner said.

The state will also review the smoking policy at the Fair as this was the first year with the legalization of marijuana in certain areas of the Fairgrounds.

“Whether we go to designated smoking areas or are you ban it altogether, those are kind of the options or you leave it the way it is which I don’t think is a realistic option,” he said.

Next year The New York State Fair will run from Wednesday, August 24 to Labor Day, Monday, September 5.