Overview
In 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her commitment to strengthening New York’s county and local fairs, including cross-promotion with the Great New York State Fair, and improving youth and agricultural programming initiatives at all fairs statewide. As part of that, the Governor directed the Department of Agriculture and Markets to assess support, growth, and revitalization opportunities for all fairs in New York in the 2022 season.
In 2023, the Department worked with the county fairs, including with the NYS Association of Agricultural Fairs, to develop a robust marketing and outreach program and cross promote the fairs through various communications, including social media. The Department also hosted a roundtable during the off-season to identify additional opportunities for enhancing fair marketing and promotion and improving youth and agricultural programming initiatives at all fairs statewide, including enhancing agricultural competitions at fairs. Discussions also focused on other initiatives, including capital planning, emergency management, and commissioning an updated economic impact study.
Those conversations have culminated in an exciting, multi-pronged marketing campaign that will
help boost attendance at the state’s fairs, educate communities about the ways that fairs help to support local economies, and showcase New York State agriculture.
Marketing Campaign:
The State’s marketing and advertising campaign for 50 county and local fairs located across the State is “Never Far From Fun.” It includes a 30-second television advertisement, radio advertisements, and digital advertisements, as well as billboards, which have been strategically placed along major highways and interstates to increase visibility and exposure to the campaign and drive attendance to county fairs.
The campaign also includes investments in social media ads with newly launched Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages and a new website dedicated to promoting the State’s county and local fairs. At Findyourfair.com, visitors can find a map of locations for all 50 fairs, information for exhibitors, and a full slate of promotional resources for the fairs, including printable posters, banners, and yard signs.
County Fairs Passport Program
The State’s brand-new New York State Fair’s Passport Program is a fun way to engage families and young people and encourage them to visit multiple county and local fairs. Passports can be picked up at select local county Cornell Cooperative Extension offices, State’s Welcome Centers, and State Parks. A full list of locations is available below.
Fairgoers can bring their passports to any of the fairs they visit and get a unique stamp in their booklet as well as “Ag Swag,” which includes lanyards and commemorative buttons.
Find Me At The Fair Scavenger Hunt
Each fair, including the New York State Fair, will also have a scavenger hunt where participants can enter a drawing via the Taste NY promotion #FindMeAtTheFair. Fairgoers can take part in the hunts with the newly launched app and complete missions to enter to win great New York made prizes.
Passport Code Challenge Answer: Choose Local