GEDDES, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — With less than a month to go, crews are already hard at work, preparing for gates to open for The Great New York State Fair! Over the next few weeks, the fairgrounds will transform into a bustling destination for hundreds of thousands to enjoy for 13 days.
The state’s fair director, Julie LaFave, said their maintenance team will roll out all the picnic tables across the grounds, wash out the trash cans, and handle a host of behind-the-scenes tasks before visitors arrive, “doing all the things that you don’t even realize have to take place in order for this fair to exist.”
“It’s all the things you don’t even realize have to take place in order for this fair to exist,” LaFave said.
But the work doesn’t stop there. Trade crews are painting and checking the electrical and sewers, making sure that when vendors move in, they can successfully hook up with no issues.
The fair’s concessions team will also be getting all the last-minute fun food items to advertise for this year’s offerings.
Another project is also taking shape quickly ahead of opening day.
Next to the Beef Barn, the fair’s new Future Farmers of America building is quickly coming together. The building will provide a place for students from across New York to showcase agriculture, technology and arts projects during the fair.
While the new building is one of this year’s newest additions, LaFave said the fair’s mission remains the same.
“People need to remember that we are agriculture at our base,” she said. “It’s the animals here, it’s the exhibits, it’s the chance to touch a cow, a chance to talk to the future of agriculture, those kids.”
The Great New York State Fair opens August 26. For a full schedule of feature days, entertainment, and events, you can head over to their website, nysfair.ny.gov.
Latest Stories Latest Stories NYSTAR programs drive $1.8 billion economic impact Cow kissing fundraiser raises $11,779 for Lewis County NYS health commissioner visits Syracuse, talks about WIC, vaccinations and cyclosporiasis Wet midweek for CNY, how much rain could fall? 10 people displaced by Elk Street apartment complex fire in Syracuse; blaze believed to be accidental
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.