It’s time for the Great New York State Fair, everyone! The annual spectacle has finally arrived whether you enjoy it or not. This may signify the last hurrah before the school year begins, and other around town offerings may slow down. However, CNY events and adventures are still prominent. Here’s a mix of activities to enjoy this weekend if you do attend the fair or decide to avoid it.
Animal Antics
Where: State Park, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Sunday, Aug. 28 | 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free with Fair Admission: $10 | (800) 475-FAIR
Where: Youth Activity Center, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Sunday, Aug. 28 | 12:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m.
Cost: Free with Fair Admission: $10 | (800) 475-FAIR
Where: Kiddieland, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Sunday, Aug. 28 | 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5 p.m.
Cost: Free with Fair Admission: $10 | (800) 475-FAIR
Music
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 W. State St., Ithaca
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 | noon
Cost: $35 | (607) 277-8283
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S. Main St., Homer
When: Friday, Aug. 26 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $23/general, $20/seniors, $18/students, free/military, vets, children under 18 | (607) 749-4900
Where: The Ridge Golf Course & Tavern, 1281 Salt Springs Road Chittenango
When: Saturday, Aug. 27 | 1 p.m.
Cost: $25, $100/pack of 5 | 687-6900
Miscellany
Thursday | 7:30 p.m.
Friday | 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
Saturday | 7 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
Sunday | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Funny Bone Comedy Club, Destiny USA, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Sunday, Aug. 28
Cost: $10/Thursday & Sunday, $12/Friday & Saturday | 423-8669
Where: Matilda Joslyn Gage Center, 210 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville
When: Friday, Aug. 26 | 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $20/advance, $25/door | 637-9511
Taste NY Wine & Cheese Seminars
Where: Horticulture Building, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Sunday, Aug. 28 | 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free with Fair Admission: $10 | (800) 475-FAIR
Stage
Steve Martin’s WASP and Other Plays
Where: Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E.
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Saturday, Aug. 27 | 8 p.m. performances
Cost: $17/Thursday, $20/Friday & Saturday | 885-8960
Where: Cortland Repertory Theatre, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Saturday, Aug. 27 | 7:30 p.m. performances
Cost: $29-$31/evenings, $24-$26/matinees | (607) 756-7627, (800) 427-6160
Thursday | 7:30 p.m.
Friday | 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Saturday | 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, 6877 E. Lake Road, Auburn
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 – Saturday, Aug. 27
Cost: $45-$55/adults, $42-$52/seniors, $25/students and ages under 22 | 255-1785, (800) 457-8897
Editor’s Picks
Where: Funk ‘N Waffles, 307 S. Clinton St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Aug. 26 | 9 p.m.
Cost: $15/advance, $20/door
Where: The Westcott Theater, 524 Westcott St.
When: Friday, Aug. 26 | 9 p.m.
Cost: $20/advance, $25/door | 422-3511.
Where: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, 2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette
When: Saturday, Aug. 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $30/advance, $35/door | 422-3511
Take me out to the Chiefs Game…
All baseball games are played at NBT Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr, Syracuse. Box office phone: 474-7833.
Dollar Thursday / ZOOperstars
Opponent: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRaiders
When: Thursday, Aug. 25 | 6:35 p.m.
Cost: $5-$12 | Buy Online
Fireworks Friday
Opponent: Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
When: Friday, Aug. 26 | 7:05 p.m.
Cost: $5-$12 | Buy Online
Super Saturday / SU Athletics Night
Opponent: Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
When: Saturday, Aug. 27 | 7:05 p.m.
Cost: $5-$12 | Buy Online
Family Sunday / Back to School
Opponent: Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
When: Sunday, Aug. 28 | 1:05 p.m.
Cost: $5-$12 | Buy Online
Free* Chevy Court Shows
The Fairgrounds is located at 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse.
*Free with $10 fair admission, of course.
Thursday, Aug. 25: Opening Day / Governor’s Day
2 p.m. | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
8 p.m. | Kesha
Friday, Aug. 26: Law Enforcement Day / Pride Day
2 p.m. | Braiden Sunshine & Chance Pena
8 p.m. | Toto
Saturday, Aug. 27: Unofficial Just Another Day Day
2 p.m. | Magic!
8 p.m. | Dashboard Confessional
Sunday, Aug. 28: Unofficial Sunday Funday Day
2 p.m. | Air Supply
8 p.m. | Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Weather Forecast
(Subject to change, of course.)
THURSDAY
Temperature: 85 degrees / 70 degrees
Conditions: Rain the first day of the Fair: Sign of good luck.
FRIDAY
Temperature: 84 degrees / 62 degrees
Conditions: A little bit of rain never dissolved anybody.
SATURDAY
Temperature: 80 degrees / 58 degrees
Conditions: Sunshine Saturday.
SUNDAY
Temperature: 86 degrees / 60 degrees
Conditions: Lookin’ good.
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