NYS Fair 2025 The first round of competitions was Thursday in the Dairy Cow Building at the 2025 New York State Fair. So farmers spent the morning prepping their entries for show. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller/(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com))
Geddes, N.Y. — After a slow start on Wednesday, the New York State Fair is finally buzzing. Sunshine and warmer temps have pulled the crowds back, and today brings plenty to keep them here: Pride Day celebrations from morning flag-raisings to a colorful evening parade, live fishing lessons for families, a llama costume contest in the barns, and a lineup of free concerts that ends with a Lady Gaga tribute at Chevy Court.
Today’s Menu
I’m at the fair every day and night. Some call it work, others call it gluttony. I call it research. My beat is food and drinks for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard, so I’m eating my way across the fairgrounds one fried, smoked or sugar-coated thing at a time. Got a must-try? A hidden gem? Text me at 315-382-1984. If it sounds good, I’ll track it down, take a bite and maybe even pull up a chair with you. Fair warning: I might pick up the tab… and then steal your fries.
Breakfast: Peggy O’Donnell has been working the register at the Courtside Grill inside the Center of Progress Building since 1992. Back in June, she sent me a letter urging me to stop by for breakfast during this year’s fair.
So I did. And I ordered exactly what she told me to: biscuits and gravy. The cooks here make the gravy fresh each morning, stirring in just-grilled Gianelli sausage. They spoon two ladles of the silky stuff over buttered biscuits that are still warm from the griddle.
At the fair, breakfast isn’t just the most important meal; it’s the first step in a marathon.
NYS Fair menu Biscuits and gravy from the Courtside Grill inside the Center of Progress Building at the 2025 New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller/(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com))
Dinner: You won’t miss Chick-N-Que. They’re the new kids from North Carolina with a giant inflatable chicken head bobbing over their truck parked next to the Poultry Building on Iroquois Street. Their specialty? Bird burgers. We’re talking $20 smashburgers made from ostrich, duck and, of course, chicken.
I went with the chicken version, mostly because I’d never had a hamburger made out of, well, chicken. (Sounds healthier, right? Don’t worry, I didn’t.) I asked them to make it spicy, and the cooks grinned like they’d been waiting for the challenge. The result wasn’t exactly “spank my ass and call me Charlie” hot, but it packed enough punch to make me sweat.
I’ll be back for the duck and ostrich soon.
Chick-N-Que A chicken smashburger from Chick-N-Que at the 2025 New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller/(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com))
Beer of the day: Today’s pick of the litter at The Beer Garden isn’t a beer at all. It’s 1911’s Maple Bourbon Hard Cider. Sweet with maple and vanilla but smoothed out by a touch of bourbon barrel, it’s like dessert in a glass and a fun break from the usual fruity ciders.
Schedule
Detailed daily schedule for Friday, Aug. 22
Concerts
» Lily Rose, 1 p.m. at Chevy Court
» Neon Trees, 6 p.m. at Chevy Court
» The Lady Gaga Tribute, 9 p.m. at Chevy Court
» Jessie Murph, 8 p.m. at Suburban Park
Today’s forecast
You can bring the summer clothes back out for Day 3
Latest NewsFair Basics
Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Midway is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Buildings are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets: $8 for an adult. Kids 12 and under and adults 65 and older get in free. Buy tickets online in advance or use a kiosk at the gate. Cash is NOT accepted.
Parking: $12 per car. Buy parking passes in advance online. EZPass is no longer a payment option for parking.
Smoking: Only allowed outside the gates in designated area.
Coolers: Allowed for food and non-alcoholic drinks
Pets: Not allowed, unless they are working dogs or in a competition.
Alcohol: Last call for booze is 10:30 p.m. each day.
State fair newsletter: Stay up-to-date on all New York State Fair news, food, music, schedules and more with our free newsletter. It’s emailed to you each morning. Click here to sign up.
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Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drinks and fun throughout Central New York — no freebies, no pay-to-play, no favors, just honest eats. You can call or text him at (315) 382-1984 or email cmiller@syracuse.com. Follow @HoosierCuse on Instagram and X, and sign up for his Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here.