The Great New York State Fair opened Wednesday with a new 10,500-square-foot building designed to showcase agricultural education and help develop the next generation of New York farmers and agricultural leaders.
Gov. Kathy Hochul joined state officials Wednesday to cut the ribbon on the new New York FFA building at the fairgrounds in Syracuse.
The building is part of a $34.7 million investment in agricultural facilities at the fairgrounds. Hochul said the state has committed $119 million to improvements at the fairgrounds since she took office in 2021.
New FFA building highlights youth agriculture
The new facility includes exhibition and conference space where FFA students can showcase their work and connect with fairgoers.
The project builds on the state's efforts to expand agricultural education
and highlight career opportunities in the industry.
The state has also invested in a new goat show space, a sheep barn and wool center and a horse barn as part of the agricultural facilities project.
What's new at the 2026 New York State Fair?
The fair is bringing back longtime attractions while adding new agricultural exhibits and events.
Among this year's highlights:
- The Holstein Dairy Cattle Competition returns Aug. 30 with its largest showing in nearly a decade.
- A new digital campaign, "Behind the Halter," highlights young people involved in New York's dairy industry.
- The Great New York State Fair Potato Booth has been reimagined, with potatoes and toppings sourced through New York State Grown & Certified producers.
- The Voice of the Farmer Garden has added cut flower beds, a wool pellet exhibit and a small apple orchard.
- New and returning events include 4-H horse demonstrations, a kiddie tractor pull and agricultural career, beef, maple, dairy and grape days.
The fair also features 41 national recording acts as part of its Chevrolet Music Series, with concerts included with admission.
How much does it cost to attend the State Fair?
The 2026 Great New York State Fair runs through Monday, Sept. 7, at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
Admission is $8, with children 12 and younger and adults 65 and older admitted free. A $25 Frequent Fairgoer ticket also is available.
More information, including the full schedule of events and attractions, is available from The Great New York State Fair.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York State Fair opens with new FFA building, more agriculture attractions
