While many fairgoers are captivated by the bright lights, loud sounds, and live music at The Great New York State Fair, others can find the environment to be a potential cause of stress and anxiety. In an effort to make The Fair more inclusive of all New Yorkers, The Great New York State Fair has added a dedicated sensory room and sensory friendly hours as part of its mission to improve programming and infrastructure with the goal of making one of summer’s most beloved traditions more accessible.
Located inside The Wegmans Art and Home Center, the sensory room will be available to all fairgoers who need a quiet space during The Fair’s 13-day run. The room, which will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., was created after consulting with local non-profit organizations that specialize in providing a variety of emotional, behavioral, and developmental limitations programming. The room will provide fairgoers with a peaceful environment that includes gentle music, soft lighting, projectors, weighted lap pads, stuffed animals, bean bag chairs, and more.
“We’re always striving to make The Fair more inclusive and accessible for everyone,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “With so much going on throughout the Fairgrounds, it can become overwhelming, especially to those who have anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, dementia, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other neurodivergent challenges. Our goal continues to be able to provide fun, safe, and enjoyable entertainment for everyone. As part of our commitment to making The Fair more accessible, we’ve worked with KultureCity and are proud to have been certified as a Sensory Friendly Fair. We’re thrilled to offer a dedicated space and sensory friendly hours.”
In addition, The Fair will offer a sensory friendly day on Tuesday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During that time, many rides on the Midway will operate without lights while sounds, music, and public address announcements throughout The Fair will be reduced or limited to accommodate those with sensitivities.
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 21, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, in Syracuse. Admission to The Great New York State Fair includes access to 39 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and a daily 8 p.m. concert at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway).
Admission tickets, parking, and passes for The Fair’s famous Midway are now on sale and can be purchased by visiting https://nysfair.ny.gov. Admission tickets are $8 (plus fees) for adults while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older. Fairgoers can also purchase a Frequent Fairgoer pass for $25 (plus fees), which provides admission to all 13 days of The Fair’s run. Parking is $12 per vehicle, plus fees.
Updated concert schedules are available on The Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.
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.
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