If You Go: The Great New York State Fair Is Open!

The 2016 Great New York State Fair is up and running in Syracuse. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo kicked off the opening and took a tour of the $50 million investment in improvements to the fairgrounds.

The improvements include an enlargement to the Midway, which is now home to 70 rides. More than 300 parking spaces for RVs have been added to the parking lot. In addition, WiFi is available and lighting has been improved. The intention is to create a fairgrounds that can be as a year-round, multi-use facility.

"The place looks a lot better, the buildings have all been given a face life, it is a totally different experience and this is just phase one," Cuomo said. "We are going to come back, we are going to do more, and we are going to do better, and we are not going to finish until this state fair is the best state fair in the United States of America and a national destination point."

The New York State Fair started in 1941, making it one of the oldest in the country. It serves as an economic engine for Central New York and will help increase tourism in the region and the state, according to the governor's office.

The fair runs through Sept. 5 and features concerts, performances, exhibits, competitions, commercial attractions. For more information, check out the fair's website.

IMAGE: Wikimedia.commons