Bizarre eats, the Orbiter ride: Everything you missed at the 2025 NYS Fair
Rides at the Great New York State Fair lit up the fairgrounds late into the night. Visitors picked from the Superman, Ferris wheel, swings and more. Ike Wood | Asst. Photo Editor
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Technicolor lights, screams of people enjoying thrilling rides and smells of animal manure and fried foods have been the sights, sounds and smells of the New York State Fairgrounds over the past week and a half.
The Great New York State Fair is the nation’s oldest state fair, officially starting in 1841. The 13-day food, family and fun extravaganza began on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and ends on Monday, or Labor Day. Yesterday, the Fair drew in 100,396 attendees — the largest Fair crowd of the year so far.
The Daily Orange’s team of photographers and reporters spent almost two weeks covering all the Fair has to offer. From food and concerts to newer offerings like sensitivity rooms and outlandish drinks, here’s our recap of everything you might’ve missed at the Fair this year.
The Great New York State Fair had attractions for everybody’s taste. For thrill-seekers, there were rides like the Sea Dragon, swinging riders almost vertically. Ike Wood | Asst. Photo Editor
Fairgoers took a chance on daredevil rides like the Sea Dragon and Superman 360 this year. The Midway strip also boasted thrills like the Starship 4000 and the Orbiter.
For those who didn’t dare to jump on a ride full of twists, turns and dips with their stomachs full of Fair food, the classic Patriot Wheel and Sky Ride provided a more relaxing, aesthetic view of everything happening around them at the Fair.
Carnival games meant prizes galore — competitors won huge plushies of animals almost as big as themselves while Fair performers walked around on stilts. When performers on stilts dropped their props, children didn’t hesitate to stop and pick them up.
The three brothers of AJR helped open the Great New York State Fair this year at Suburban Park. The group brought energy, theatrics and their hit songs. Ike Wood | Asst. Photo Editor
After some rides on the Midway, central New Yorkers watched longtime favorite artists from a variety of genres perform. Brotherly trio AJR brought the “Bang!” to Suburban Park as one of the first performances at the Fair this year with their fun theatrics.
Later in the weekend, despite severe weather warnings and heavy rain, GROUPLOVE took the stage, welcoming the Fair’s audience with optimism and high energy.
Rapper Lil Jon created a high-energy night at the Great New York State Fair during his concert at Chevy Court. He performed crowd-pleasers like “Turn Down for What” and “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” Christian Calabrese | Asst. Photo Editor
With a switch to rap and DJing, Lil Jon, whose concert also experienced delays due to rain, spun and sang a range of hits from all genres at Chevy Court last Tuesday night. He performed “Shots” and “Shake That Monkey” while also spinning mixes of “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey and “Starships” by Nicki Minaj.
Fairgoers also caught shows from children’s music group KIDZ BOP and the country/alt-pop artist Jessie Murph. Murph drew an estimated 49,000-person crowd at Suburban Park, the second-largest crowd in the Fair’s concert history. Dancehall reggae artist Shaggy took the stage today at 8 p.m. at Suburban Park.
The Great New York State Fair held its second Sensory Friendly Day this year, helping to accommodate those who are overstimulated by bright lights and loud noises. Sound was dampened and lights were dimmed to create a more calm experience. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
Families, friends and students in the Occupational Therapy program at Le Moyne College participated in the second-ever Sensory Friendly Day at the Fair. For a few hours last Wednesday morning, the Fair’s lights, sounds and overhead announcements were limited so that those with sensitivities could enjoy the Fair as everyone else does.
Fairgoers went into the Wegmans Art and Home Center to relax in the main sensory room with bean bags or hammocks, while some children played in the outdoor motor zone with bubbles and hula hoops.
Novelty fair foods are a big draw for crowds. Vendors combined sweet and savory flavors to create items like a mozzarella stick dipped in Fruity Pebbles cereal. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
When it was time to refuel after all the festivities and action, Fairgoers stopped in the Dairy Products Building for a hot beef sundae or a soft-serve twist. The essential Fair foods include deep-fried Oreos, hot dogs and turkey legs, with a refreshing lemonade to cool off under the sun.
Attendees could try the Dr. Pickle drink for the second year in a row — a combination of Dr Pepper and pickle juice, with a pickle garnish on top. Fair Deli Craft Beer also offered a fried mozzarella stick covered in glaze and Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Kids and adults alike fawned over animals at the Great New York State Fair’s petting zoo. Patrons could purchase carrots and feed animals like goats, horses, camels and cows. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
This year’s Fair included animals galore: zebras, sheep, cattle and even porcupines greeted Fairgoers. The annual Goat Costume Contest was held on Sunday in the Goat, Llama & Swine Barn.
It’s not too late to enjoy the magic of the Fair. It runs through Monday, and Syracuse University students can arrive by bus or shuttle, and tickets can be purchased online.
As the day winds down and vendors start to close up while rides shut down, parents put sleepy kids into cars, and students make their way back to campus before the grounds close at 11 p.m. If you couldn’t make it this year, maybe you’ll catch that same excitement next time around.
