The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Cuomo opens State Fair
GEDDES, N.Y. (AP) >> A New York state commissioner says the state fair will be solely powered by renewable energy by 2023.
Richard Ball, commissioner for the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, made the comment Wednesday in front of a crowd of hundreds. He says the efforts are to create “the greenest fair in the U.S.”
Officials report the effort involves the building of wind turbines and installation of solar panels.
The Fair will begin an aggressive project, called Green Fair, to become energy self-sufficient, eliminate waste and recycle every available item to create the “greenest fair in America,” the gov--
ernor’s office said. The Fair will also reduce the use of disposable plastic items and begin a pilot programto recycle food waste. Additionally, a new pavilion for environmental education will be built.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo also joined Ball for the event in Geddes and announced a promotion effort to push fair attendance. Officials say people with an Amtrak ticket dated between Wednesday and Sept. 2 will be given an admission to the fair for free.
“This is a new and different fair than ever before which is why we are seeing record attendance and it’s the third most attended fair in the United States,” Cuomo said. “Even if you’ve been to the fair in the past, this is a different experience after the investments we have made and it is a great economic generator for the entire region. It’s also a fair we can be proud of — a phenomenal demonstration of who we are and what we have to offer.”
“The New York State Fair continues to attract a record number of people with fun activities, events, and programs for the whole family,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who visited the Fair Wednesday. “The Fair highlights some of the best local products and talent that New York has to offer, and we are continuing to invest in and grow the Fair every year. The Great New York State Fair is helping to drive tourism in Central New York and boost the economy of the region and the entire state.”
Cuomo after the announcement posed for selfies and strolled through the fairgrounds followed by a crowd.
Other changes to the Fair include the planned renovation of Gate 10 as a second main entrance. A $1.5 million project to replace the existing gate building will begin after the Fair and be complete in time for the 2020 Fair. The new Gate 10, when complete, will be a larger gate structure — aesthetically similar to the Expo Center — including new fencing, paving, streetscaping, lighting and a large LED billboard.
Also in 2020, a new Sheep Barn will be built to replace the barn that was torn down earlier this year in the wake of high wind events that severely damaged the prior barn. The Wool Center, a popular Fair exhibit focusing on demonstrations using wool, will also relocate to the new Sheep Barn. Sheep are being exhibited in a tent this year.
Part of the space where the Sheep barn once stood has become Goat Park, featuring a fenced-in area where young goats can play and be seen by fairgoers, enhancing the Fair’s efforts to bring people closer to agriculture.
Major construction on the $11.18 million New York State Fair Orange Lot Phase 2 project will begin after the conclusion of the 2019 Great New York State Fair. Preparatory work has already begun. As part of the project, the State Department of Transportation will construct a new I-690 eastbound on-ramp bridge, ensuring that a temporary traffic signal on the highway will not be required during the State Fair after 2019. The new I-690 eastbound on-ramp bridge will also accommodate pedestrians with a 10-foot pedestrian walkway that will help ease pedestrian traffic to and from the Orange lot. Construction will be complete in time for the 2020 State Fair.
“As the nation’s first Fair, the Great New York State Fair has held true to its tradition of promoting agriculture and has grown with so much great entertainment, rides, music and food that continues to be the hallmark of this event that keeps families coming back year after year,” Ball said. “With the governor’s vision for a reenergized Fair, we have maintained those traditions but have been able to take tremendous steps forward, with expanded programming and continued investment in infrastructure that make our Fair shine. We encourage everyone to come spend time at the Fair and see the very best of New York on display.