2010 State Fair FAQs
Quick 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. Click here for more info! - Do children get in free?
Children 12 and under are free everyday of the Fair, children 16 and under are free on Friday, September 3 only. - When are Senior Days?
Monday and Tuesday, August 30 & 31 are Senior Citizen's Days, all seniors 60 years and older are admitted free on these days. - 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. - What days are The Strates Midway Ride-All-Day program offered?
The Strates Midway Ride-All-Day program lets visitors buy $25 wristbands that give them full access to the Midway rides for the entire day on the following dates... Thursday, Aug. 26; Friday, Aug. 27; Monday, Aug. 30; Tuesday, Aug. 31; Wednesday, Sept. 1; and Thursday, Sept. 2. Wristbands available at any Strates ticket booth on these days. - How do I get to the Fairgrounds?
Get driving directions in our Visitor Center, view the Centro Park-N-Ride bus service 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 TTY phones?
- Are there jobs available for the 2010 State Fair?
Q. When is the Fair?
A. Thursday, August 26 through Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2010.
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 30 & 31. Students 16 and under are admitted free on Friday, September 3. 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. Smoking is not allowed in the State Fair Grandstand (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 State Fair Grandstand where food, 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 (trams are free on Senior Days, August 30 & 31). 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 Park-N-Ride bus service will be available from locations throughout Central New York to the Fair. Click here for locations and schedules. For more details, please contact the Centro InfoLine in Syracuse at 315-442-3400, Centro in Auburn at 315-253-5765 or Centro in Oswego at 315-342-4400.
Q. Is there Amtrak train service?
A. Amtrak will once again provide this summer 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 (routes and rates have yet to be determined). 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.
| 2010 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 four Guest Relations facilities. The first two Guest Relations centers are 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 Stae Fair 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). The Strates Midway Ride-All-Day program lets visitors buy $25 wristbands that give them full access to the Midway rides for the entire day on the following dates... Thursday, Aug. 26; Friday, Aug. 27; Monday, Aug. 30; Tuesday, Aug. 31; Wednesday, Sept. 1; and Thursday, Sept. 2. Wristbands available at any Strates ticket booth on these days.
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 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 2010 State Fair?
A. All positions for the 2010 New York State Fair have been filled and we are no longer accepting applications. If you missed your opportunity to apply this year, make sure to do so earlier in April 2011 when applications will be available again.
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.