The Great New York State Fair is a 12-day showcase of agriculture, entertainment, education and technology. With midway rides, concessionaires, exhibits and concerts, it has become New York's largest annual event and an end-of-summer tradition for hundreds of thousands of families from all corners of the state. The first fair took place in Syracuse in 1841 and took permanent residence there in 1890. It is the oldest and one of the largest state fairs in the United States, with nearly one million visitors annually.The Great New York State Fair begins on the third or fourth Thursday in August and runs for 12 days, ending on Labor Day. The 2016 fair ran from August 25 – September 5.It is held at the 375acre Empire Expo Center on the western border of Syracuse, in the town of Geddes.HistoryIn February 1832, The New York State Agricultural Society was founded in Albany by a group of farmers, legislators, and others to promote agricultural improvement and local fairs. The nation's first state fair was later held in Syracuse from September 29–30, 1841. Attendance was estimated at 10,000-15,000; features included speeches, animal exhibits, a plowing contest, and samples of manufactured farm and home goods. The second New York State Fair was held in Albany in 1842. Between 1842 and 1889, the fair traveled among 11 different cities: Albany, Auburn, Buffalo, Elmira, New York City, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown.
Pet owners and animal lovers alike can flock to the Hall of Veterinary Health - a one-stop resource for fairgoers on the many aspects of veterinary medicine. The HVH features: • Live daily animal presentations; • A comparative anatomy area with animal skulls • Dress Like and Surgeon and Teddy Bear ER • Journey Through Imaging • Learn about nutrition, parasites and vaccines • And much, much more. The Hall is staffed daily by practicing veterinarians from across New York State who donate their time to be on-hand and help educate fairgoers in animal care.