Event takes place at Expo Center at the NYS Fairgrounds from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 — includes food, entertainment, a mini-midway, vendors, crafters and even fireworks
By Mary Beth Roach
It’s all about bringing summer fun into winter.
That is the premise behind the annual Syracuse Winter Fair, which returns to the Expo Center at the NYS Fairgrounds later this season, according to Steve Becker, owner of Premier Promotions and promoter of this event.
Slated for Jan. 31 through Feb. 2, it promises a variety of food, entertainment, a mini-midway, vendors, crafters and more. While most events occur inside the 100,000-plus-square-foot Expo Center, there are some exciting activities planned for outside.
New this year attendees can take photos for free with a real live reindeer on Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ice sculptures will once again line the front walkway into the center.
Fireworks will light up the skies at 8:45 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. As Becker pointed out, the clear, crisp winter skies allow for more colorful pyrotechnics.
Inside the Expo Center, food vendors will offer a range of treats, from barbecue to cheesecake, from pot roast to vegan selections.
Kids and adults will thrill to the midway rides there, including giant swings, a giant slide, roller coaster, a fun house, a train and more. Among the midway rides will be games and food as well.
And what’s a Syracuse winter without a little basketball? Winter Fair Hoops, sponsored by Price Chopper/Market 32, will raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse by shooting free throws and winning prizes. In addition, various Syracuse University athletes will be there throughout the weekend to meet the attendees, Becker said.
Keeping things hot will be a wide range of performers at the Amazon Stage over the three days of the fair — international performer Cheri Geraud with the American Songbook; Country Swag; Gotta Dance; Letizia, popular for her dance music; popular vocalist Just Joe; the funky horns of the Atlas Dance Party; and demonstrations from Karate John’s; Scottish bagpipes; step dancing from the Francis Academy of Irish Dance; Latin dancing; and Native American dancers. On Feb. 2, in honor of February as Black History Month, the entertainment will include an urban fashion show; Gospel House, African drumming and the popular local R & B group, UAD.
A new feature this year on stage will be a high school chorale ensembles competition on Feb. 1, with the winners receiving free ride tickets.
Spotlighted, too, Becker said will be Indian Village, Latino Village, Van Robinson Pan-African Village and New Americans Diversity Village.
And if all the rides, the hoops and the dancing create an appetite — no fear. Food vendors will offer extensive menus, from barbecue to cheesecake, from pot roast to vegan selections.
Parking, located right by the Expo Center, is free, courtesy of AmeriCU.
Advanced sale tickets available at www.nyswinterfair.com are $5 for adults; $3 for seniors and teens, plus a service fee.
At the box office during the event, tickets are $8 for adults; seniors and teens, $6; and children 10 and younger are free.