FAQs

Quick 2009 State Fair Info

• How much does daily admission cost?
  Daily admission tickets are $10.00 each and are available at any State Fair gate when you arrive. Advance sale tickets are no longer available.
• Do children get in free?
  Children 12 and under are free everyday of the Fair, children 16 and under are free on September 4 only.
• When are Senior Days?
  Monday, August 31 & Tuesday, September 1 are Senior Citizen's Days, all seniors 60 years and older are admitted free on these days.
• When is the Midway Ride-All-Day offer available?
  On six of the Fair's 12 days, visitors can buy $25 wristbands when they arrive that gives them full access to the Strates Midway rides for the entire day. The price goes down to $20 on Thursday, Aug. 27 with a Coca-Cola coupon available at participating Fastrac Markets and on Friday, Aug. 28 with a Pepsi coupon available at participating Tully's restaurants. $25 Ride-all-day wristbands will also be available for each day Monday, Aug. 31 through Thursday, Sept. 3.
• Does your grandstand ticket include your admission to the Fair?
  Tickets purchased for any grandstand concert/show allows for free admission the day of that show for the ticket holder.
• How do I get to the Fairgrounds?
  Check out our Visitor Center for driving directions, our Centro Bus Schedule, or you can contact Amtrak for information about train service.
• What are the hours of the Fair?
  Gates open at 8:00 am. Exhibit buildings are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, with the exception of Labor Day when they close at 9:00pm. The Midway is open until midnight (closing time subject to change without notice).
• Are pets allowed, even if they are leashed?
  No, unless they are working dogs, canine companions or in a competition.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the Fair?
• Where is the Fair?
• What are the hours of the Fair?
• What are admission prices?
• What about parking?
• What is the smoking policy at the Fair?
• What do I have to wear at the Fair?
• Can I bring food & beverages to the Fair?
• Is there tram service?
• Is there Centro bus service?
• Is there Amtrak train service?
• Are there stroller, wagon or wheelchair rentals?
• Where do you find general info during the Fair?
• Who is performing at the Grandstand & Court?
• What special days are there at the Fair?
• What attractions & events will be at the Fair?
• What about the Midway by the Strates Shows?
• What if someone gets lost?
• Where is first aid available?
• Where are ATM services?
• Where are TTY phones?
• Are there jobs available for the 2009 Fair?

Q. When is the Fair?

A. Thursday, August 27 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009.

Q. Where is the Fair?

A. The New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y. are adjacent to Route 690 West. The Fairgrounds are accessible from the New York State Thruway, exit 39 (from the West) and 34A (from the East), and Route 81 from the North and South.

Q. What are the hours of the Fair?

A. Gates open at 8:00 am daily. Exhibit buildings are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, with the exception of Labor Day when they close at 9:00pm. The Midway is open until midnight every night of the Fair (closing time subject to change without notice).

Q. What are admission prices?

A. Daily admission tickets are $10.00 each and are available at any State Fair gate when you arrive. Children 12 and under are admitted free every day of the Fair. Seniors 60 and over are admitted free on Monday and Tuesday, August 31 and September 1. Students 16 and under are admitted free on Friday, September 4. Tickets purchased for any grandstand concert/show allows for free admission the day of that show for the ticket holder.

Q. What about parking?

A. Ample parking is available in designated lots around the Fair. Follow signs from 690 west. Cost is $5 per vehicle. A free shuttle bus service is provided from the upper lots to the Main Gate. E-Z Pass Plus will be accepted in the Brown and Orange lots. Follow the Purple E-ZPass Plus signs for quick, cashless access. Click here for information about our Temporary RV Parking.

Q. What is the smoking policy at the Fair?

A. Smoking is allowed on the Fairgrounds in general areas that are permitted by New York State Law. In the Mohegan Sun Grandstand smoking is not allowed (ticket holders who wish to smoke will have to use a designated area away from the concert seats). Tobacco products will not be sold anywhere on the Fairgrounds.

Q. What do I have to wear at the fair?

A. Each visitor to the New York State Fair will be required to wear a shirt and footwear.

Q. Can I bring food & beverages to the fair?

A. While Fairgoers can and are encouraged to bring coolers with food and drink, they will not be allowed to carry any alcoholic beverages through the gates. Additionally, all liquids must be in plastic or cans. No glass bottles or containers will be allowed. The only exception at the Fairgrounds is the Mohegan Sun Grandstand where coolers, bottles, cans and glass are not allowed.

Q. Is there tram service?

A. Fairgoers are able to make use of the Fair’s internal tram network for a set rate of $2 a day. The trams travel around the perimeter road, stopping at 11 scheduled stops. Service runs 9:00am-8:00pm.

Q. Is there Centro Bus service?

A. Centro Bus service will be available from hundreds of locations throughout Central New York to the Fair. Click here for a full Centro bus schedule (schedule subject to change). For more information, please contact the Centro InfoLine in Syracuse at 315-442-3400, Centro in Auburn at 315-685-7075 or Centro in Oswego at 315-342-4400.

Q. Is there Amtrak train service?

A. Amtrak this summer will once again provide service directly to the New York State Fair, offering families a convenient and affordable way to travel to the state's largest annual event this summer.

For families traveling to the fair, Amtrak is offering a special New York State Fair Kids Ride Free promotion. With Kids Ride Free, children and youths ages 2 through 15 may travel for free with the purchase of a qualifying adult ticket. The New York State Fair Kids Ride Free promotion is only available on travel to and from the New York State Fair on specific trains. To obtain the discount, refer to code V112 when making a reservation.  It may not be combined with any other promotion. Tickets must be purchased a minimum of three days prior to travel and will be available for purchase Aug. 1 through Sept. 4, 2009.

Eastbound trains from Rochester, Buffalo and other points west will discharge passengers at a temporary stop near Gate 10 at 9:45 a.m. (Train 284) and 3:30 p.m. (Train 64), Mondays through Saturdays; and at 9:45 a.m. (Train 284), 3:30 p.m. (Train 64) and 5:55 p.m. (Train 288) Sundays and on Labor Day, during the Fair. Westbound trains will leave from the Fair at 12:53 (Train 63), 4:06 (Train 281) and 6:57 p.m. (Train 283) daily.

Families from Albany and other points east of Syracuse can also use the train for an afternoon at the Fair on Sundays and on Labor Day. They can arrive at 12:53 p.m. (Train 63) and leave at 5:55 p.m. (Train 288) on Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and Sept. 7,

For more information on Amtrak's direct service to this year's New York State Fair and for more information on traveling with Amtrak,, visit Amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL to speak with an Amtrak reservations agent.

Q. Are there stroller, wagon or wheelchair rentals?

A. For those who have trouble doing the Fair by foot and for the little ones who will tire out, the Fair offers strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and electric scooters. Vista Mobility Specialists provides strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and electric carts for public rental. Supplies are limited. Information subject to change.

2009 Daily Rental Rates
Equipment	Rate	Deposit
Strollers	$9.00	Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card
Wagons	$13.00	Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card
Wheelchairs	$15.00	Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card
Electric Carts	$50.00	Drivers License/State ID/ Resident Alien Card/Major Credit Card
Special Electric Cart "twilight" rental rate of $30.00 after 6:00pm
Rental locations: outside Main Gate, inside Gate 4 & outside Gate 10

Note: Rentals are on a first-come, first service basis. Vista's policy is to rent electric carts only to individuals who have medical or physical needs. Vista does not rent to children or young adults. In addition, a Vista representative will "wrist band" the renter, in order to visibly identify the only "authorized" operator of the electric cart.

Q. Where do I find general information during the fair?

A. Fairgoers can use any of our three Guest Relations facilities. The first Guest Relations center is located just inside the Main Gate (Gate 1), the second is located just inside Gate 4, the third at Gate 10. These facilities provide information on all aspects of the Fair and surrounding Syracuse area. Fairgoers can stop by one of these locations from 9:00am to 9:00pm daily.

Q. Who is performing at the Grandstand & Court?

A. Click on one of the following:

Schedule of Mohegan Sun Grandstand performers

Schedule of Chevy Court performers

Q. What Special Days are there at the fair?

A. See a list on our Special Days page.

Q. What Attractions & Events will be at the fair?

A. See a list on our Fair Attractions & Events page.

Q. What about the Strates Midway at the fair?

A. The energy, excitement and pulse-pounding thrill of America's last-remaining railroad carnival is back, with all of your traditional favorites. Hit the Midway for the best rides and games plus lots of fun every day of the Fair until midnight (Midway closing time subject to change without notice). On six of the Fair's 12 days, visitors can buy $25 wristbands that give them full access to the Midway rides for the entire day. The price goes down to $20 on Thursday, August 27 with a Coca-Cola coupon available at participating Fastrac Markets and on Friday, August 28 with a Pepsi coupon available at participating Tully's restaurants. $25 Ride-all-day passes will also be available for each day Monday, August 31 through Thursday, September 3.

Q. What if someone gets lost?

A. Once again, Wegmans’ “Lost Kid” Tags provide quick identification for those who become separated from their group. Tags are available at all gates and from all New York State Troopers or at Guest Relations Centers. Lost persons will be brought to the Lost Persons Center located between the Main Gate and Gate 12.

Q. Where is first aid available?

A. There are two First-Aid stations at the Fair. The main infirmary facility is located directly behind the Horticulture Building and another is within the Fire Station near the Youth Activity Center.

Q. Where are the ATM services?

A. Solvay Bank provides ATM services throughout the Fairgrounds. The sites are as follows: Inside and outside the Main Gate (Gate 1); inside Gate 3; at Tram Stop 10 near Gate 4; inside Gate 10; across from The Shamrock and Gianelli’s Restaurants near the DEC Log Cabin; in the lobby of the Americraft Center of Progress Building; at the State Park entrance to the Pepsi International Pavilion; behind the DEC Aquarium building; under the Grandstand; at the Midway restrooms; Rest & Eat at end of Restaurant Row near the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

Q. Where are the TTY phones?

A. The TTY phone is located at the Administration Building located next to the Main Gate (Gate 1).

Q. Are there jobs available for the 2009 Fair?

A. Applications are no longer being accepted for summer, Fairtime or Parking Department employment.

PLEASE NOTE – The New York State Fair does not hire for any of the food vendors or concessionaires. If you are interested in a job with a food vendor or concessionaire you must apply with them directly.