GEDDES — If the state legislature gives its approval, the New York State Fair will become an 18-day event this August, up from the current 13 days.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo included $4.9 million in his state budget proposal, issued Jan. 21, to fund the additional days.

If the state legislature OK’s the proposed extension, the State Fair would include an additional weekend and new programming, including a motor show held in the Expo Center and “sensory friendly days.”

Fair director’s view

The governor has made a “tremendous investment” in the State Fairgrounds, says Troy Waffner, director of the State Fair. Crews removed the grandstand, the track, built a new Expo Center, and opened up 63 acres of land. 

He noted that on the last day of the 2019 State Fair, Cuomo challenged Richard Ball, commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, that he had “better make sure this Fair keeps growing.” 

“I think the next logical step is … to add days if you really want to grow the Fair exponentially,” says Waffner, who spoke with CNYBJ on Jan. 23.

Fair attendance is up more than 46 percent since the state began to make more than $120 million in investments, with 1.33 million people attending the Fair in 2019, according to the state Agriculture and Markets Department.

As of now, the data indicates that New York has the ninth-largest fair in the country. Of the top nine, Waffner says, New York’s fair runs 13 days, Minnesota’s fair has 12 days, and others run 16 or more days. 

Waffner knows officials with the Erie County Fair (scheduled for Aug. 12-23) are concerned, along with vendors who participate in both fairs, with the three-day overlap involved now that the New York State Fair is projected to start Aug. 21.

The two fairs are each ranked among the 12 largest fairs in North America. The New York State Fair ranked No. 9 in attendance with 1.33 million in 2019, while the Erie County Fair placed 12th with attendance of 1.24 million last year, according to carnivalwarehouse.com. Both fairs set new attendance records.

“We’re going to work with everybody to really make sure that their animals get in or their food wagons get in, or whatever the case may be, to make sure it works for everybody,” says Waffner, regarding the schedule overlap.

Spending added funding

The $4.9 million in budgeted funding will help pay for additional programming, which could be the additional concerts that the State Fair has to book for Chevy Court and the experience stage, says Waffner.

“This year, we’ll probably hire, with five additional days, between 2,000 and 2,100 people for the 18 days of the Fair… The money will also be used for that,” he adds.

When asked if the State Fair has a revenue projection for the additional five days, Waffner says the work on calculating that figure continues. 

“I’d be happy to share but we’re still working our way through the math on it because … obviously we’re forecasting to some extent. We just want our numbers to be as good as they can be before we start releasing [figures],” says Waffner. 

When asked if it’ll be a problem if a vendor can’t arrive in Geddes until after the first weekend, Waffner replies, “Our goal is to make this work for everybody.” 

Waffner also notes that the State Fair would like to “stabilize” the price of admission at a lower price, so that it won’t need to offer the occasional $1 or $3 admission days.

“It’s tried and true tradition at the State Fair, so yes, Labor Day will still be $1. The other $1 days we’re taking a look at,” says Waffner. 

Even though it remains a proposal, the State Fair started promoting the extra days the same day that they were announced. When asked if he has any concern that state lawmakers won’t approve the expansion and funding, he noted that state legislators representing the region are “very supportive.”

He also acknowledged, “That’s not a part I’m involved in. I’m [focused on] the logistics and operations part of this [event.]”

Sensory-friendly days

This year’s State Fair will also include sensory friendly days. When asked to explain the meaning of those days, Waffner says some adults and children have issues with the surroundings in terms of noise and lights. 

Sensory friendly days will involve shutting off all the music, all the lights on the rides, and the public-address system “for several hours,” so when those affected come in, they’re not “overloaded.”

“The idea is just to let every kid and adult be able to enjoy the Fair,” says Waffner.