The Great New York State Fair: Unbeatable Value, Unforgettable Fun

The Most Affordable State Fair Offers Discounts and Everyday Deals

The Great New York State Fair, the most affordable state fair in the United States, is offering an array of budget-friendly options and special deals to ensure fairgoers have an enjoyable experience without breaking the bank. With a focus on value and accessibility, the Fair provides a variety of free admission days, discounted food and Midway deals, and convenient transportation options throughout its run from Opening Day, Wednesday, August 20, through Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

"We want everyone to experience the joy of the Fair without worrying about the cost," said Fair Director Julie LaFave. "We work closely with our partners to offer the most affordable prices and a variety of free entry days, making it easier than ever for families and individuals to enjoy all the fun, food, and entertainment our Fair has to offer."

VALUE AT THE GATE

Admission prices to the Great New York State Fair are the lowest in the country, with general tickets priced just $8 each and a Frequent Fairgoer ticket, which includes admission for all 13 days of the Fair, at $25.70 each - online only.

People 65 years old and older, and children 12 years old and under are admitted free every day of The Fair.

Additionally, during Special Fair Days, select groups can gain entry to The Fair for free with ID where applicable, including Student Youth Day for students 18 and under (August 21), Law Enforcement (August 25), State Parks Day (August 25), Fire, Rescue & EMS (August 26), Armed Forces Day (August 28), and Native Americans Day (August 29).

For more admissions information, visit our site.

ENTERTAINMENT: NOT SOLD SEPARATELY

Packed with value, a single admission ticket to The Fair grants you access to more than a dozen grounds entertainment acts-everything from live performances and thrilling shows to family-friendly activities featuring animals, agriculture, art, and more. Catch live demonstrations, competitions, cultural performances, athletic matchups, parades and ceremonies. Plus, enjoy our exciting concert lineup featuring top artists and local favorites, all included at no extra cost. It's a full day of fun and entertainment, all with one affordable ticket!

For a list of daily events included with admission, visit our site.

DELICIOUS DEALS AND TASTY SAVINGS

If you're a fairgoer, you may be familiar with two perennial Fair favorites: the 25-cent cup of milk, located in the Dairy Products Building, and the $1 baked potato, located in the Horticulture Building. The lines for these items speak for themselves!

To provide another pocketbook-friendly option, select vendors will be offering discounted samples of their most popular dishes as part of "Tasty Tuesday" on Tuesday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Samples will be available for $3-5 each.

To keep prices consistent across the Fairgrounds, bottled water is priced at a maximum of $3, and there are refillable water stations available in most buildings. Guests are encouraged to stay hydrated.

To plan out your meals, visit our map page and search the Fair Finder section (coming soon!).

MIDWAY RIDES AT SPECIAL PRICES

Missed the Midway Flash Sale last month? There's still plenty of time to score a discount to this year's rides and games.

"Ride All Day" Wristbands, which grant fairgoers the ability to enjoy all rides throughout a single day (of their choosing) at The Fair, can be purchased online until Tuesday, August 19 at midnight, for a discounted rate of $28 plus applicable fees. After The Fair starts, wristbands will be sold at The Fair for $37 on weekdays and $47 on weekends, plus any applicable fees.

A "Mega Pass" option, which grants fairgoers unlimited rides all day, every day, is also available for pre-sale online - and will only be available in advance online until Tuesday, August 19 at midnight. To avoid time waiting and enjoy more time riding, customers who purchase the Mega Pass may pick up passes in person at the Wade Shows Guest Relations trailer located by Gate 4 at the Fairgrounds beginning Saturday, August 16 through Tuesday, August 19 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

With fees, the total cost to patrons who purchase ride tickets as part of the advance sales will be:

• Flash Sale "Ride All Day" Wristbands: $26.01 per pass ($24 pass, $1.25 e-ticket convenience fee, and 3 percent credit card fee)
• "Ride All Day" Wristbands: $30.13 per pass ($28 pass, $1.25 e-ticket convenience fee, and 3 percent credit card fee)
• Mega Pass: $101.20 per pass ($97 pass, $1.25 for e-ticket convenience fee, 3 percent credit card fee)

To kick off the Fair, "Wacky Wednesday" single-day wristbands will be available for $30 on both Opening Day, August 20 and Wednesday, August 27 - a $7 weekday savings.

Discounted rides and Midway foods will also be featured as part of Tasty Tuesday on August 26.

Advance tickets to the Midway can be purchased by visiting The Great New York State Fair's website.

CONVENIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION

In addition to the 23,000 parking spaces available at the Fairgrounds, the Fair offerings several convenient, cost-saving, and eco-friendly transportation options.

Amtrak Train Service: Amtrak has continued its partnership with the New York State Fair to provide direct train service for customers traveling as a more convenient, cost-effective, family friendly and comfortable way to travel. By taking the train, visitors will save on traffic, parking fees, and gas by arriving steps from the Fairgrounds via select Empire Service and Maple Leaf trains, which will make daily stops at the State Fair (in between stops at Rochester and Syracuse stations). Visit Amtrak for details.

Centro Park-N-Ride Shuttles: For 2025, Centro will provide its popular Park-N-Ride direct shuttle service each day of the 13-day Fair from these locations:

• Centro Transit Hub in Downtown Syracuse
• Long Branch Park in Liverpool
• Destiny USA

Service to The Fair begins at 8:45 a.m. and continues until 8:45 p.m. Return service runs from 9:00 am and continues until 11:15 pm (9:15 pm on Labor Day). To ride the shuttle one way, the fee is $1.00 for adults, and $.50 for senior citizens, children 6 to 9 years old, and those who are living with disabilities. Children under 6 are free. Parking at Park-N-Ride locations is free.

Oswego County Public Transit: The Oswego County Department of Mobility Management will again offer free park-n-ride transportation from locations in Oswego, Fulton, Central Square, and Phoenix. Check our website for details.

Guests who chose to ride bicycles to the Fair can rack at Gates 1, 3, and 10, at no cost.

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission. Tickets are on sale now at The Fair's website, nysfair.ny.gov. Packed with value, a single admission ticket costs $8 and includes access to all grounds entertainment and the Chevrolet Music Series. In addition, a Frequent Fairgoer ticket option is available for $25.

The Fair continues to be one of the most affordable fairs in the nation, with admission remaining free for those aged 65 and older along with children 12 years old and under.

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state's CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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