Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to unveil the new $62 million Expo Center when the New York State Fair begins it’s 13-day run Wednesday morning. It's part of a major revitalization of the west end of the Syracuse-area fairgrounds.
While the Expo Center may be the biggest, brightest draw to an underutilized part of the fairgrounds, the Fair has spent $10,000 to get fairgoers visitors to that part of the property using another gambit. They’ve rented a ride called the Observation Tower that will be free to fairgoers.
"It’s going to give you a great bird’s eye view, it’s going to be lit up with hundreds of LED lights that at night will just beam to get people down here," said acting fair director Troy Waffner, who said the west end of the fair is one that's needed attention.
“The west end was the underpopulated part of the fairgrounds," he said. "But with the Expo building and the changes we are making in the six acre festival grounds called the New York Experience, it’s a great way to build this area. We have some future plans for gate 10 that I think will draw a lot of people.”
Waffner said enticing fairgoers to that end of the grounds, will help accomplish one of the main goals the state has been working toward by creating year round venue.
"This area will be a beautiful area for music festivals or other outdoor type shows," he said.
This part of the fairgrounds features a manmade water feature in the midst of a large grassy area dotted with Adirondack Chairs and picnic tables, as well as what’s been dubbed the Experience Stage, which this year will feature some national acts.
"Chevy Court will always be city center. But we want people to come out to the suburbs of the west end and see what it’s like," said Waffner.
The State Fair runs through Labor Day.
