In just 20 days, the gates will swing open at the Great New York State Fair, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors to one of the largest and most anticipated state fairs in the United States. The fair, a bustling hub of excitement and tradition, runs for 13 days in Syracuse from Aug. 21 through Labor Day on Sept. 2.
This year, the fair will once again feature the Asian Village, now in its second year, to celebrate and highlight Asian culture. Visitors can expect vibrant cultural performances and traditional crafts that exemplify the rich heritage of Asia.
Founded in 1832 by the New York State Agricultural Society in Albany to promote agricultural advancements and exhibitions, the Great New York State Fair is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the United States. From its roots as the first U.S. State Fair, held in Syracuse on Sept. 29–30, 1841, the fair now attracts nearly one million visitors annually.
Held at the 375-acre Empire Expo Center in Geddes, just west of Syracuse, the event features a wide variety of cultural, musical, dance, circus, and theatrical performances, as well as a comprehensive display of agricultural products and livestock.
Last year, the fair introduced the “Asian Village,” conceived by Tai Shaw, a Vietnamese American community leader in Syracuse and chair of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association Syracuse Chapter. In May, Shaw was appointed to the Governor’s Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Council by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Shaw told The Epoch Times that he created the Asian Village to foster a sense of belonging and pride among Asians at the fair, reflecting the diversity and tolerance of New York State. The Asian Village showcases a diverse array of cultural elements from across nearly every Asian country, including China, Korea, India, Vietnam, Nepal, Mongolia, and others. Hochul visited the Asian Village during its inauguration in 2023.
This year, the Asian Village will feature a variety of activities, including classical Chinese and Indian dances, dragon and lion dances, a fashion show featuring traditional Asian clothing, and an array of traditional Asian handicrafts and cuisines.
Students from the Fei Tian College at Middletown, renowned for its exceptional dance training, will showcase the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture with two performances of Classical Chinese dance and folk dance over two days. In Classical Chinese dance, male dancers portray strength and gallantry, while female dancers embody gentle and subtle grace.
Tickets for direct train service to the Great New York State Fair are now on sale. Visitors can purchase their tickets through the official Amtrak website at Amtrak.com, the Amtrak mobile app, at station ticket counters, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
During the fair, four trains will make daily stops at the event:
Maple Leaf Train 64 departs from Toronto, Canada at 8:20 a.m. and arrives at the fair at 2:28 p.m.
Empire Service Train 281 leaves New York City at 10:21 a.m. and reaches the fair at 4:19 p.m.
Empire Service Train 283 departs from New York City at 1:21 p.m. and arrives at 7:11 p.m.
Empire Service Train 284 starts its journey from Niagara Falls at 6:27 a.m. and gets to the fair by 9:23 a.m.
For more details and updates, visit the official New York State Fair website at https://nysfair.ny.gov/
