Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — The wait for the 2019 New York State Fair just became a lot shorter. A mini Winter Fair will debut this February, according to Steve Becker, the promoter for the Winter Fair. He said it will take place from Friday, February 8th to Sunday, February 10th inside the State fairground’s Exposition Center.
The Winter Fair will be similar to the annual New York state fair. It will include food, rides, entertainment, and various exhibits. The only major difference is that everything will be held indoors.
Becker said he came up with the idea to open a Winter Fair while thinking of activities families can do during the winter. He began working with the fair director at the beginning of the year to brainstorm different ways to make use of the Expo Center.
“[The idea for the Winter Fair] just kind of came to me,” said Becker. “I wanted to find something that would hit a nerve and give people the taste of the fair in the winter.”
The idea is to replicate the New York State Fair as much as possible, Becker said. The Winter Fair will offer many of the same food vendors as the State Fair including Pizze Fritte and sausage sandwiches. They will also hire local talent from Central New York for music and entertainment.
When fair time approaches, Becker said he hopes people from all over Central New York will come. He predicts that the Winter Fair will have a positive turnout and wants it to be an annual event.
Becker said he plans to fit as many rides as possible inside the Expo Center.
“People love the midway [rides and games], so we are going to create a mini midway,” Becker said.
Becker added that multiple exhibits will open including a Native American exhibit, a Pan African exhibit, and a Latino exhibit. Ice sculptures will stand outside the Expo Center as well, similar to the sand sculptures seen at the State Fair. He said they will announce other features as it gets closer.
Becker anticipates a turnout of at least 200,000 people. Because the Winter Fair is indoors, he does not believe weather will play a factor unless there are severe conditions and people are unable to drive.
“It’s fair time,” Becker said. “I want to build the Winter Fair into a tradition.”
In the future, the fair will continue to take place during the second weekend of February, but may occupy more than one building on the fairgrounds.
