YOU Were Seen Where? … At the New York State Fair!

The nation’s oldest State Fair has come a long way since it started in 1841 as a two-day event in Syracuse _ with highlights that included a plowing contest, which was no doubt of interest to an audience that was very familiar with farm life.

Drawing about 15,000 visitors then, the Fair has grown over the decades and last year, set a record with about 1.3 million visitors at the 13-day event.

This year’s fair will run from Wednesday, Aug. 21, through Sept. 2, and feature more than 80 live concerts spread across five stages, 200 food vendors, 70 rides, and more than 10,000 animals.

A $120 million plan by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to revitalize the fairgrounds wrapped up last year, when the 136,000-square-foot Expo Center, the largest indoor events space north of New York City between Boston and Cleveland, was unveiled.

Earlier work at the fairgrounds included a full-service RV park for 313 campers, a larger, relocated Midway area, a new Main Gate entrance, a new exhibit area for the New York State Police, and the Sky Ride, a 1,400-foot long chairlift ride. The Indian Village, a part of the Fair since 1928, also received renovations to its Turtle Mound, the home of cultural performances..

Last year’s turnout ranked New York as the fourth-largest state fair in the nation, behind Texas (2 million), Minnesota (2 million) and New England (1.5 million).

Present-day attendance is about double what the Fair was drawing during the 1950s and 1960s, as New York and the rest of the U.S. basked in a post-war economic boom tinged by a bit of Cold War angst.

So take a little trip in the time machine, and see the State Fair as it was then, contrasted with as it is today. All photographs courtesy of the New York State Fair. Click to the first picture to start the slideshow…

And will you be seen at the Fair this year?

Former Governor Nelson Rockefeller samples a New York State apple.
Newspaper account of attendance figures during the 1950s.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo greets a young visitor to the State Fair.
How patriotic are “ewe?”
In this undated photo, “Miss Electra,” who was there to promote modern electical appliances, greets some local beauty contestants.
A chainsaw artist wields the power.
Former Gov. Mario Cuomo at a fair event in the early 90s to promote an early electric car company.
Native Americans became part of the fair starting in 1928 when the Indian Village was added.
Angeline Nuller at the Indian Village at the State Fair.
Armed forces members at the fair.
Fair crowds inspect an early model of a military helicopter that anyone who has watched the Korean War TV series M*A*S*H will recognize.
Amid Cold War fears, a model fall-out shelter to protect from an atomic blast is on display.
The merry-go-round is a popular attraction whatever the year.
Trying a hand at making the hay bale fly.
Frank Sinatra Jr. performs at the Fair.
Anyone ready for some Space Age “chic” circa 1960s?
The demolition derby tests the durability of man and machine.
A dog shows its moves in retrieval from the water.
A jet pack on display at the Fair.
A display of 1950s U.S. armored fighting vehicles draws curious crowds.
Up close and personal with a Monarch butterfly.
One of many performers who has entertained over the years.
The 1957 Fair gets positive newspaper reviews.
A word of warnng on the “perils of the midway” from one newspaper reporter.
The new Exposition Center at the Fair.
Think milking a cow is easy? Some visitors give it a try…
A citizenship swearing-in ceremony for new citizens held at the Fair.
A member of The Greatest Generation shows the colors.
Bringing home the blue ribbon at the State Fair!