NYS Fairgrounds Main Gate — Local services in Town of Geddes

Summer 2025 Went on a Saturday. The staff were outstanding. The bus ride into the fair was well organized. However, for the reasons below, I had a hard time believing this was such a great fair that so many thousands of people come from all over to see. For a saturday, there was no little to no music. You would think it would be the perfect opportunity to let a local band play, but the stage remained empty. Something would have been nice to go over the uncomfortable hum, if you want to call it, of thousands of people crammed together. Some of the food trucks advertised weren't there. I wasnt sure if it was a mattress store when walking into the seller area. Some of the sellers had some unique stuff, but there were few of them and most of the stuff was from temu. Again, being so busy, you would think it would be the perfect opportunity for locals or other sellers. There was little to no craft stuff or shows, anything. And this was the middle of the day on a Saturday. I saved the worst for last - many animals were in small wire cages stacked up. In other fairs, the animals are usually in more open areas or in clean pens with better descriptions of them. It was depressing to see and hard not to tear up.

I forgot to mention that while yes, they give you a map, there signs were little to none. My fam and I got lost and it was a nightmare to try and find them in the never ending crowds. So many food trucks and vendors were all the same. Also there was an aquarium but it was just a basic tank of fish you see at the Dentists office. Not sure why they called it...

Absolutely horrible experience at the NYS Fair. We went on Saturday 09/07/24. The traffic was beyond frustrating at all exits leading to the fair. Then, we got directed into a parking lot where there was literally a 1/2 mile long line of people waiting to get crammed onto a bus just to take you to the actual fair. Then, upon arriving at the fairgrounds, you had to navigate a very disorganized "line" just to get in front of a kiosk to buy tickets to the fair. Then, you had to wait in another disorganized line just to get into the fair. 2 hours and 15 minutes after parking, we finally stepped foot into the actual fairgrounds. Then you had to wait in a long line to get an overpriced, poor tasting Philly cheese steak sandwich. Then, you had to wait in a cattle gate style pen to get the kids an all-day ride band. Then, you had to wait in line to use the restrooms. And lastly, you, of course, had to wait in long lines for a 30-second amusement ride. It was a horrible experience that we will never repeat. To top it off, we just left in time before they shut the fair down early due to gun fire at the Rick Ross concert. The organizers of this fair need to do A...

The main gate was cumbersome for those of us who did not know to buy our electronic ticket in advance. They were not taking cash. Parking also did not take cash. We had to pay with a credit card, and tax was charged on my receipt which no one mentioned at the time of sale! Some cars were allowed to park taking up two slots too! The buses ran frequently, and I love the Skywalk to the main gate for those who did not want to wait on the bus. There were not as many vendors at the fair and variety was lacking! A few vendors only took cash, which is weird when the fair itself refused to take any cash. Finally, I take issue with the African Village being tucked away in a small corner. Why isn't it on the thorough fair like the Trump supporters tent? Lines were way too long, for such a small crowd. The food and drinks were overpriced as expected. Some vendors clearly had issues serving people of color. I hope others bypassed them as I did. I loved the mobile handwashing stations and all of the places to use the bathroom. The fair just seemed really void....I'll be glad when all of the...