"The Fair is a great New York tradition that is
enjoying a renaissance thanks to our investments in the grounds and the
strength of its programming," Governor Cuomo said. "These investments
are paying off in growing numbers of people, which in turn will continue to
help Central New York's economy continue to rise."
The 2017 attendance total, when complete tonight, will
exceed the 1,117,630 total from 2016, when the Fair was 12 days long. The Fair
also set records for sales of its two signature food items - baked potatoes and
milk. Through day 12 on Sunday, the Great Baked Potato Booth sold 59,946 white
and sweet potatoes with all the fixings, eclipsing a two-year-old record. And
the Milk Bar, operated for the first time directly by the Fair, sold more than
420,000 cups of white and chocolate milk by midday today, a record amount for
the year.
After tonight's final show from Kool & The Gang, the
Fair's Chevy Court concert venue will have attracted more than a quarter
million people for its largest roster of national touring shows ever,
highlighted by massive crowds for the hip hop trio Migos, Rock Hall of Fame
soul group Earth Wind & Fire, pop pioneers The Beach Boys and southern rock
superstars Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Fair and its vendors presented more than 550
free musical performances this year, a record amount.
This is the second Fair since the implementation of Governor
Cuomo's $50 million plan to revitalize the nation's oldest state fair. The
fairgrounds in the town of Geddes received a beautiful new Main Gate, an RV
park that supports both the Fair and its year-round facilities rental business,
and large, open spaces that allow for expanded Fair programming and larger
events on the grounds year-round. The second, $70 million phase of renovations,
to begin later this year, involves building a 133,000-square foot expo center
that can host many types of major events. It will be the largest event space
between Boston and Cleveland. The Fair's parking lot will receive significant
upgrades as well.
