Great New York State Fair - Timeline

Timeline

  • February 1832 – The New York State Agricultural Society was founded in Albany by a group of farmers, legislators, and others to promote agricultural improvement and local fairs.
  • September 29–30, 1841 – The nation’s first state fair is held in Syracuse, New York. There an assembled 10,000-15,000 people heard speeches by notables and viewed animal exhibits, a plowing contest, and samples of manufactured goods for the farm and home.
  • 1842 – The second New York State Fair is held in Albany, and ushered in an era of growth and travel for the institution.
  • 1842-1889 – The fair traveled among 11 different cities—Albany, Auburn, Buffalo, Elmira, New York City, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown.
  • February 1889-September 1890 – Syracuse Land Co donated to the Agricultural Society a 100-acre (40 ha) tract of land in Geddes (Onondaga Co) crossed by railways that facilitated exhibit transport. This parcel has served as the fair's permanent home since.
  • Late 1890s – Burdened with debt from constructing permanent buildings on the site, the Agricultural Society turned to state government for relief. New York State purchased the grounds in 1899 and took over management of the fair the next year, creating the 11-member State Fair Commission appointed by the governor.
  • 1908 – The first structure in a $2 million long-term building plan was erected, with subsequent buildings completed at intervals over the next two decades. The most notable building being the Manufacturers and Liberal Arts Building, now the Center of Progress Building.
  • 1910 - The Dairy Products Building and Grange Building (now the Science & Industry Building) are added to the Fairgrounds.
  • 1923 - The Coliseum opens and hosts the World's Dairy Congress.
  • 1928 – The opening of an Iroquois village exhibit and an agricultural museum addressed a growing and nostalgic public interest in local history.
  • 1938 – The fair acquired a new name—New York State Agricultural and Industrial Exposition—reflecting closer ties to industry, while extended to a 14-day schedule featuring popular entertainment acts increased attendance.
  • 1942-1947 – No fair was held, as the fairgrounds became a military base during World War II.
  • 1948 – A six-day, full-scale exposition returned to large crowds.
  • 1950s-1960s – The fair expanded to nine days and gained an attendance of over 500,000 by the end of the 1950s. The James E. Strates Midway is added to the fair along with nationally known entertainers both of which attracted families and teenagers.
  • 1962-1966 – The fair temporarily changes its name to New York State Exposition.
  • 1967 – The New York State Exposition is renamed to the New York State Fair.
  • 1972 – Sonny and Cher perform at the fair’s Empire Court, breaking the fair’s concert attendance records.
  • 1978 – The fair expands to 10 days and the buildings at the fairgrounds begin to be rented during the off-season.
  • 1980s-1990s – Fair officials respond to criticism noting slim minority presence by adding gospel festivals and a Pan-African village display. The event also added sign language interpreters and made its grounds accessible to people with disabilities.
  • 1990 – The fair expands from 11 to 12 days; the format continues to be used to this day.
  • September 7, 1998 – The state fair closes one day early for the first time due to the Syracuse Labor Day Derecho. The storm resulted in two casualties on the fairgrounds.
  • 2001 – Over 1 million fairgoers attend the 12 day fair for the first time. With 1,011,248 attendees, this year still holds the overall attendance record.
  • 2008 – Fair administration focuses more on agriculture with exhibits showcasing products made in New York State such as the Pride of New York Marketplace and a permanent maple exhibit.
  • 2009 – The fair changes its Chevy Court format to include two different performers each day. Popular rock act, Shinedown performs for an estimated 15,000 people, breaking the previous record set in 1972.
  • 2010 – Country trio Lady Antebellum’s performance on Chevy Court breaks 2009’s record with an estimated 30,000 attendees. A record of 206,000 fairgoers attends Chevy Court concerts during the 12 day run. Paid attendance at the fair hits an all-time high, while the total attendance was the third highest in history at 999,845.
  • August 31, 2011 – Bruno Mars breaks the Chevy Court attendance record yet again with an estimated 35,000 in attendance.

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