GEDDES, N.Y. — The New York State Fairgrounds is closing early on Wednesday due to impending severe weather.
Thunderstorms, some severe, are expected to roll over Central New York around sunset. Heavy rain, strong winds, hail and potential tornadoes are listed as hazards that could come with any severe storm.
Fair organizers said they expect the storms Wednesday evening to be stronger than the storms that passed through in the morning. A letter from the fair’s concessions manager noted that any vendor who closes early will not be penalized.
Fair Director Julie LaFave is urging people to sign up for the Great New York State Fair text alert system. In the event of an emergency, fairgoers will receive a text alerting them. People can sign up for alerts by texting NYSF to 888777.
LaFave said on Wednesday afternoon the system is underutilized by fairgoers.
The fairgrounds temporarily barred entry to fairgoers around 11:30 a.m. as an initial line of storms moved through. The gates reopened around 12:30 p.m. At that time, the weather was sunny.
Fair organizers said additional information about the early closure will be announced “as soon as possible.”