ALBANY, N.Y. — Winter Fair will bring back the fun of a fair indoors for a second year in the Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds. More than 25,000 people attended the inaugural event last year, which returns February 7 to 9, 2020 with a throwback to the end-of-summer State Fair to warm the mid-winter days. Advance tickets go on sale Thursday, November 7 at the Winter Fair website. Advance sale admission is $5 for adults and $3 for teens/pre-teens and seniors. At the door, admission is $7 for adults and $5 for teens/pre-teens and seniors. Children 10 and under will be admitted free of charge.
“Everyone loves the New York State Fair! We wanted to give families a chance to experience elements of the Fair during the winter and this party will definitely chase away the winter doldrums. The New York State Fairgrounds has great year-round events and we want Winter Fair to become a new tradition in making memories,” said Steve Becker of Premier Promotions, the promoter of Winter Fair.
“We’re very excited to have Winter Fair back among the dozens of events that call the New York State Fairgrounds home. It’s a great way to brighten a Central New York winter and we wish Winter Fair a strong and successful second year,” said Troy Waffner, State Fair Director.
Winter Fair 2020 will fill the Expo Center with a variety of food vendors, crafters, businesses, and non-profit organizations along with entertainment, special features and indoor midway rides. The Mini-Midway will be back, larger than before. “For Winter Fair 2020, we are expanding the Mini-Midway. The big ride attraction last year was the Ferris Wheel. So, for Winter Fair 2020, we will have two Ferris Wheels! We are also adding the Avengers ride and we’ll have at least 15 rides in the Mini-Midway. There will be games, amusements and carnival food, too,” said Kevin Jankowicz, an owner of Main Events Amusements.
New for 2020 is a fireworks display, taking place Friday and Saturday evenings at 9:30 p.m. Ice Sculptures, sponsored by Bath Fitter, will return to line the sidewalk to the Expo Center. Entertainment includes cultural dancers from the Six Nations tribes, Fair favorite Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, Irish dancers, a karate demonstration and more.
Fair food favorites such as the signature Villa Pizze Fritte will be available as well as food from Henry’s Hen House, Kiki’s Authentic Greek Food, Limp Lizard BBQ, Baked Potato Express and Glazed and Confused Donuts, and many others.
Among the bands scheduled to perform are The Barndogs with Miss E, Atlas, Just Joe, The Brownskin Band with Joe Driscoll, Hard Promises and Country Swagg. There will also be a performance from the winner of the Jewish Community Center Battle of the Bands and a 90-minute Gospel Sunday program under the direction of Dr. Joan Hillsman, presented by the NAACP.
Complete lists of food and merchandise vendors, rides, and entertainment performances will be posted in January on the Winter Fair website.
Local organizations will also benefit again this year. The NAACP will staff the coat check, which earned the organization $1,000 from Winter Fair last year. The Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse returns to manage the Winter Fair Hoops game. Last year, the group earned $3,600 through the Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation for its efforts. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse is grateful for the funds raised during Winter Fair 2019, as it was able to provide support for our daily programming efforts. We are excited to see our community again at this year’s event,” said Jeff Eysaman, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse. Price Chopper/Market32 sponsors Winter Fair Hoops.
Winter Fair 2020 is not affiliated with the Great New York State Fair.
The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available here. Find the Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, and enjoy photos from the Fair on Flickr.
–Jola Szubielski, NYS Ag and Markets
