York Fairgrounds history

1841 – The nation’s first state fair is held in Syracuse, New York. on September 29 & 30th.

1842 – The second New York State Fair is held in Albany, and ushered in an era of growth and travel for the institution.

Thirty-six years later, in 1851, the fair was revived.

The York County Agricultural Society, which continues to operate the fair today, was founded in 1853, with the intent to expand the fair and its property.

In 1856, the fair moved from the town commons to a seven-acre property on the east side of the city.

In 1861, within days of the firing on Fort Sumter, injured Union soldiers were placed in temporary hospitals set up in the old Penn Commons and in the new fairgrounds.

In 1887, the York County Agricultural Society purchased a 72-acre farm, which became the kernel of today’s 120-acre York Fairgrounds.

In 1888, they purchased the 73-acre property that remains the home of the York State Fair today.

1889 – Syracuse Land Co donated to the Agricultural Society a 100-acre tract of land in Geddes (Onondaga County) crossed by railways that facilitated exhibit transport.

The project continued through September of 1890.

New York State purchased the grounds in 1899 and took over management of the fair the next year, creating the 11-member State Fair Commission appointed by the governor.

1908 – The first structure in a $2 million long-term building plan was erected, with subsequent buildings completed at intervals over the next two decades.

In 1926 a new Grandstand was constructed and the fair became a five-day event, opening on Tuesdays and closing on Saturdays.

The daytime nature of the fair passed into history two years later in 1928 when the York Fair stayed open in the evenings on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Tuesday night was added in 1931 and a year later the fair remained open on Saturday evenings.

1938 – The fair acquired a new name—New York State Agricultural and Industrial Exposition—reflecting closer ties to industry, while extended to a 14-day schedule featuring popular entertainment acts increased attendance.

In 1942 the fair dates were changed so that the event moved from October to September..

1948 – A limited fair returns with a six-day run in mid-September, a total attendance of only 25,529 pass through the gates.

1949 – A full-scale exposition returns to the fairgrounds with large crowds in attendance.

MEMORIAL HALL: Memorial Hall (now named Mid Atlantic Industrial Equipment Hall East and West) was constructed in 1955 and expanded in later years.

1967 – The New York State Exposition is renamed back to the New York State Fair.

A 1968 history of York – Greater York in Action – encapsulates the history of the fair:

1972 – Sonny and Cher perform at the fair’s Empire Court, breaking the fair’s concert attendance records.

The York Fair remained open throughout the long war in Vietnam and in 1975 it was expanded to become a nine-day event including two Saturdays and a Sunday.

1978 – The fair expands to 10 days and the buildings at the fairgrounds begin to be rented during the off-season.

1990 – The fair expands to 12 days.

Memorial Hall was then expanded, more than doubled, in 1995 with the addition of a second clear-span exhibit room and a spacious lobby, restrooms, and ticket offices.

Then in 1997, the fair itself expanded to become a ten-day fair that includes two full weekends.

In 2003, the York Expo Center was built and became the home for major events such as the Grand Ole Opry, political rallies, and various conventions.

2009 – The fair changes its Chevy Court format to include two different performers each day.

2010 – Country trio Lady Antebellum’s performance on Chevy Court breaking the previous record with an estimated 30,000 attendees.

2011 – Bruno Mars breaks the Chevy Court attendance record yet again with an estimated 35,000 in attendance.

2013 – The New York State Fair opens an exhibit in the Grange Building celebrating their history.

2014 – A new tradition is started with “Dollar Day” on Labor Day including dollar admission, dollar rides and dollar food and drink specials.

2015 – The first major investment in the Fairgrounds in more than 80 years begins with the implosion of the aged Grandstand and leveling of more than 60 acres of land.

In 2018 the decision was made to change the dates of the Fair to the end of July and into early August, as well as change the name to the York State Fair.