Cuts Ribbon on New York FFA Building To Help Connect Fairgoers to New York Agriculture, Support Youth Ag Education
Investment is Part of The Governor’s Commitment to Growing the Great New York State Fair, Having Dedicated $119 Million Since Taking Office Five Years Ago
Highlights New and Returning Agricultural Offerings, from New Potato Bar to Return of Holstein Show
State Fair Continues To Be an Affordable Space for Families To ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’
Governor Kathy Hochul today kicked off The 2026 Great New York State Fair, celebrating the brand new FFA Building and highlighting a series of new and returning agricultural offerings and exhibits that will further connect fairgoers to New York agriculture. Governor Hochul cut the ribbon on the new 10,500 square-foot FFA Building, which will help develop the next generation of agricultural leaders and support agricultural education, a priority for the Governor. The FFA Building is part of a $34.7 million investment in agricultural facilities at the Fairgrounds and a commitment of $119 million for overall improvements to the grounds since she took office five years ago, in 2021. This year’s Fair will run from August 26 through Labor Day Monday, September 7, 2026, and continues to be the most affordable state fair in the nation, and a space for families to ‘Get Offline, Get Outside.’
“There is so much to love about The Great New York State Fair, and at its core, it is a place that truly honors New York’s tremendous agricultural community. I’m proud of the investments we have made in this space and across the entire Fairgrounds over the last five years,” Governor Hochul said. “I can't think of a better way to kick off the 2026 Great New York State Fair than by celebrating the opening of a brand new FFA Building, which will allow more young people to learn about and contribute to this important industry while also providing fairgoers an opportunity to get closer to agriculture. As we open the gates today, I encourage visitors from near and far to explore all that the Great New York State Fair has to offer.”
FFA Building
The New York FFA Building, located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, is a 10,500 square foot facility that features a large exhibition space for FFA students to showcase their work to fairgoers, and includes the addition of conference areas and more. The construction of this new space builds on the Governor’s efforts to support The Fair as a premier agricultural showcase and to support youth agricultural education. Governor Hochul officially broke ground on the FFA Building last spring as part of the New York FFA’s 100th anniversary celebration at its annual convention, which was held at the Fairgrounds.
The new building is part of a $34.7 million project to improve agricultural facilities at the Fairgrounds in Syracuse, first announced by the Governor in 2022. In addition to the FFA Building, improvements also included a new show space for goats, completed two years ago, as well as a new Sheep Barn and Wool Center, new horse barn, both of which were completed last year. The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget provided an additional $35 million in capital investments at the Fairgrounds, including upgrading stages at Chevy Court and Suburban Park to enhance the Fair’s entertainment experiences for concertgoers and the Expo Center for year-round festivals and music events, as well as a $3.7 million renovation project of the Milk Bar in the Dairy Products Building. The new project, which is slated to be completed for the 2027 Fair, will include a new look and new location for the Milk Bar, increasing the square footage of the exhibit and allowing for the installation of new state-of-the-art equipment. Together, these will allow the longtime Fair staple to provide strawberry milk, along with white and chocolate milk, for all 13 days of future Fairs.
In addition to the new FFA Building, there are plenty of agricultural exhibits and attractions to see, including scores of traditions, like the Butter Sculpture, perfectly chilled, $0.25 milk at the Milk Bar, and plenty of animals. Plus, for the 2026 Fair, fairgoers can experience several new and exciting additions. The Holstein Dairy Cattle Competition, a fairgoer favorite, will take place on Sunday, August 30 in the Toyota Coliseum with its largest showing in nearly a decade. Also in the Toyota Coliseum, fairgoers will get two opportunities to take a closer look at the wonderful world of horses. On Saturday, August 29 at 10:30 a.m., 4-H youth will present the 4-H Driving and Miniature Horse Show, where they will demonstrate their driving and in-hand skills. Then, at 5:00 p.m., visitors can join 4-H youth for a Meet the Horses Educational Event to learn more about the magnificent horses staying at The Fair.
On Friday, August 28, Saturday, August 29, and Saturday, September 5, kids will take center stage for the Kiddie Tractor Pull in the Toyota Coliseum. Beginning at noon, this pint-sized version of the beloved tractor pull invites youth registrants to test their strength and see how far they can pull their tractors in this entertaining competition.
The Fair is also debuting Behind the Halter — Celebrating the Youth Behind New York’s Dairy Cattle, a new digital campaign highlighting the young people who represent the next generation of New York’s dairy industry. Featured on screens throughout the Dairy Cattle Barn, the campaign will introduce Fairgoers to young exhibitors who dedicate countless hours to caring for, preparing and showing their dairy cattle, offering a glimpse into the passion and hard work behind the animals they see at The Fair.
And for a new updated twist on tradition, fairgoers can visit the newly reimagined The Great New York State Fair Potato Booth, where The Fair’s iconic $1 potato, now operated by Tully’s Good Times in collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ New York State Grown & Certified program, will be serving up The Fair’s famous baked potatoes, and salt potatoes, now grown in New York, with toppings sourced from New York State Grown & Certified processors, using New York milk. The collaboration comes as the NYS Grown & Certified Program celebrates its 10th anniversary.
There is also a new updated list of vendors and producers offering product for sampling and sale at the Taste NY Pop-Up Market and Marketplace. Additionally, new this year: the New York State Tasting Yard will offer an expanded selection of informational classes in the Seminar Room, hosted by New York craft beverage producers.
The Voice of the Farmer Garden is additionally expanding for the 2026 Fair. This year, the garden will newly include new cut flower beds highlighting New York’s growing commercial cut flower industry, an exhibit on wool pellets as soil amendments, and a small, high-density apple orchard.
The Fair continues to highlight agriculture through agricultural exhibits and competitions, with several special days dedicated to highlighting the industry, including Agricultural Career Day, Beef Day, Maple Day, and Dairy Day, and the return of Grape Day.
The 2026 New York State Fair will also be showcasing a variety of new grounds entertainment acts and top-notch performing artists on its entertainment stages. From a gravity-defying jet ski, waterski, and wakeboard gymnastics stunt show to adorable racing dogs, the debut of The Big Cheese, a magical drone show that lights up the sky, to a new STEAM Day and expanded LGBTQ+ Pride Day programming, to new food competitions and action-packed entertainment in the Empire Room, this year’s Fair promises something for everyone. See the complete list of new attractions.
This is all in addition to the 41 national recording acts that are a part of the Chevrolet Music Series. These concerts and entertainment acts are all included in the price of admission, with a single $8 admission ticket also giving fairgoers access to countless agricultural exhibits, diverse food choices, and so much more.
About The Great New York State Fair
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. 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 Fair’s award-winning concert lineup. 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, TikTok, and Instagram.
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