SYRACUSE, NY – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an intention to hold the New York State Fair at 50 percent capacity. Last year the fair couldn’t be held at all due to the pandemic. For local vendors, that left an irreversible dent to their businesses.
“This is my life. I make my living off selling Bacon Bombs for four months of the year and it’s been since October of 2019 since I’ve sold one Bacon Bomb,” said Dave Desimone, owner and operator of the Bacon Bomb stand. “It’s been a long road. It’s very scary.”
The Bacon Bomb stand isn’t the only vendor that was hit hard by the pandemic. For many Central New Yorkers, the New York State Fair is the biggest revenue stream of the year. Even with fewer Fair goers this year, the Fair is more important than ever.
“We need to get back to normal where everyone feels safe going out to fairs, going out to concerts, standing out in the sunshine and having some beers with their friends,” Desimone said. “A 50 percent capacity Fair is a stepping stone.”
So a lot of vendors took a deep sigh of relief when they heard Governor Cuomo’s plan for 50% capacity for the New York State Fair this season. But a lot of them are also holding their breaths in fear that the rent might go up for each lot due to a limited capacity, and that means that their revenue might just go in the trash. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“I almost think they’re going to probably reduce the rent,” said Tim Dean of Dean’s Concessions. “I think they’re going to look at it as trying to get people in here to socially distance and enjoy the Fair and say the Fair is open, we want you back.”
The Fair will last for 18 days and begins on August 20th. Tickets will cost just $3.
