New York State Fair Syracuse

White background with black text and purple and red ribbons attached to the bottom. In the center is a black and white photograph of a horse.

The New York State Fair in Syracuse is a 13-day celebration featuring a wide variety of attractions including concerts, amusement rides, exhibitions and events, food and drinks, and competitions. The fair occurs every year from late August until Labor Day. It is the oldest state fair in the United States, having first taken place in 1841. It is also one of the largest, drawing over one million visitors annually.

The fair’s largest attractions are its animal, horticulture, and agricultural displays. Thousands of animals are exhibited including dairy cattle, pigs, goats, rabbits, and horses. A large collection of antique tractors celebrates New York’s agricultural heritage. The fair even hosts an annual Butter Sculpture, in which hundreds of pounds of butter are transformed into art. A main goal of the fair is to promote the importance of New York’s agriculture and home-grown products and foods.