SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Great New York State Fair broke its all-time record for daily attendance, with 123,206 people coming to the Fair. The previous record, 122,870, was set on the final day of the 2014 Fair. Of the 65 days with attendance of more than 100,000 since World War II, only three have occurred on the first Sunday of the Fair.
“The Great New York State Fair is one of our state’s best attractions, and this new record shows that our investments to attract even more people to the fair are paying off,” Governor Cuomo said. “With new facilities, attractions and excitement underway, we will continue to work to bring more people to the fairgrounds and support the Central New York economy.”
More than 430,000 people have come to the Fair in the first five days of the 2017 season, a season that is one day longer than before. Each day has featured strong attendance and the Fair is pacing more than 18,000 people ahead of last year’s first five days. The 2016 Fair set the all-time attendance record of 1.12 million people along with three daily attendance records.
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, “Days like today are proof that we can work together to create economic success for the region. I congratulate Governor Cuomo for his vision for the future of the Fair and fairgrounds, a vision that is coming to life right before our eyes.”
New York State Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball said, “The Fair’s mission to promote agriculture is part and parcel of Governor Cuomo’s vision to grow our economy. We are proud to have begun a second year of signature achievements at the Fair.”
State Fair Acting Director Troy Waffner said, “It’s clear that New Yorkers are pleased with the direction we’re going. We’re excited to set a record as it validates the hard work we’ve put in for the last year. But tomorrow morning, we’ll be right back at work to try to break that record again.”
Governor Cuomo’s $50 million first phase plan to revitalize the Fair resulted in a larger, more comfortable and profitable Midway, a beautiful new Main Gate, a new home for the popular New York State Police exhibit, a new signature Midway skyride, the Broadway Skyliner, and the rebuilding of the Turtle Mound in the Indian Village. A $70 million second phase will begin after the Fair, resulting in a 133,000-square foot flexible Exposition Center and major reconstruction of the Fair’s largest parking lot.
Accelerating Central NY Rising
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 23 to September 4, 2017. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “FIND YOUR GREAT,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.
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, on Snapchat at nysfair 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.
—NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
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