If you're planning to attend this year's New York State Fair, you'll notice a lot of changes. Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the $50 million upgrades that include a 15-acre Midway with new rides, RV park, parking lots and new main gate.

"Each year we strive to make the New York State Fair better than before, and with this investment we are reimagining the fair to ensure it remains a major economic engine for generations to come," Governor Cuomo said during a tour of the fairgrounds Wednesday May, 25th.

New Main Gate

You'll enter the 2016 Fair through a brand new gate built to honor the arched carriage gateway used a century ago. The new design, along with the electronic ticketing will allow for faster admission. Once inside, you'll see a new entrance plaza with a large video board to help find your way around the rebuilt grounds.

Governor Cuomo Office
Governor Cuomo Office
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Date Stones

Date stones will be embedded in the new arched Main Entry Gate to honor the history of New York's first state fair. The stones date back to 1840 – the date on the original carriage entrance arch.

Governor Cuomo Office
Governor Cuomo Office
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Expanded Wade Shows Midway

Walkways in the midway will be more open, with more seating and shade available. A new Kiddieland area of rides for smaller children will be next to the main Midway.

Governor Cuomo Office
Governor Cuomo Office
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Revitalized Historic Quad

The historic area of the Fair aiound the five oldest exhibit buildings and Chevy Court, will have a cleaner, more open look, with more seating and new signage. Vendors have been moved to the larger vending spaces in the newly-redesigned program area.

Governor Cuomo Office
Governor Cuomo Office
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New Empire RV Park

A brand new RV park, called Empire RV Park, will provide 315 spaces with underground water, sewer, and electrical service, making the Fair more attractive to shows and events involving lengthy travel. More than half of the new park’s spaces have been rented for this year’s Fair.

Governor Cuomo Office
Governor Cuomo Office
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Enhanced Pedestrian Safety and Vehicle Access

The Crossroads will have a large compass design overlaid on asphalt. The compass notes Syracuse’s central location within the state, with points of the compass pointing to other New York communities.

Governor Cuomo Office
Governor Cuomo Office
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New Gate 13 Entrance Near Onondaga Lake

A new entrance gate is being created along Bridge Street. Pedestrian access along Bridge Street is being widened and beautified. The new gate will allow people to enter at the space between the Center of Progress Building and Art & Home Center, onto Iroquois Street on the Fairgrounds.

Governor Cuomo Office
Governor Cuomo Office
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Construction of the new RV park, expanded Midway and 15 acres of flexible park space is on track to completion in time the 2016 Great New York State Fair opening day on August 25.


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