With midway rides, concessionaires, exhibits, and concerts, it has become New York's largest annual event and an end-of-summer tradition for hundreds of thousands of families from all corners of the state.

It is held at the 375-acre (152 ha) Empire Expo Center on the shores of Onondaga Lake, in the town of Geddes, near the western border of Syracuse.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets owns five of the buildings at the fair and employs its workers.

Attendance was estimated at 10,000–15,000; features included speeches, animal exhibits, a plowing contest, and samples of manufactured farm and home goods.

Crossed by railways that facilitated exhibit transport, the Onondaga County location became the fair's permanent home.

In the late 1890s, The Agricultural Society turned to state government for relief from debt due to the construction of permanent buildings on the site.

To address a growing and nostalgic public interest in local history, the Iroquois village exhibit and an agricultural museum were opened in 1928.

The James E. Strates Midway was added during this time, with nationally known entertainers to attract families and teenagers.

During the 1980s and 1990s, fair officials responded to criticism of slim minority presence by adding gospel festivals and a Pan-African village display.

The Midway's new asphalt pad is the size of over 10 football fields with more room and a better layout for rides and attractions.

The new Empire RV Park is spacious, secure, and organized and makes the Fairgrounds accessible year-round for distant travelers.

Commercial vendors were removed from the Quad to restore the park as a relaxing space to gather and rest, with more seating and better signage.

[21] A new entrance along Bridge Street, Gate 11A, ties in with the larger Onondaga Lake West Revitalization Project.

Pedestrians can access Gate 11A via a new walkway and viewing platform leading past the Historic Quad to the Crossroads.

[21] In 2016, Governor Cuomo appointed a Task Force to determine how an additional $50 million for Phase Two of the Fairgrounds would be spent.

The Syracuse New Times, regional arts and entertainment publication, named Chevy Court the best free concert venue in Central New York in 2009, 2010, and 2012, and the best state fair attraction in 2011.

Wade Shows offers promotions to Fairgoers such as dollar ride specials and a Mega Pass which can be used by one person for the entire fair's duration.

The fairgrounds host a variety of displays, events, competitions, and attractions that teach fairgoers the importance of agriculture.

[28] In 2013, the fair brought a new attraction to allow Fairgoers to sample different products from vendors in all regions of the state in the "Taste NY" tent.

In 2011, the fair received positive feedback as they paid respect to the victims of 9/11 with a sand sculpture recognizing the 10 years that had passed since the terrorist attacks.

[29] Past sand sculpture themes have included The Beatles, Syracuse University, USS New York, Dr. Seuss, and The Olympics.

Horticulture Building also hosts the Taste NY, where visitors can try some food and drink samples for free and buy their favorite products on the spot..[33] Ten Dairy Products Buildering is family-oriented and contains attractions such as the butter sculpture, and a Milk Bar serving multiple varieties of milk.

[32] In 2012, 403,189 cups of milk were sold to fairgoers, breaking an all-time record at the New York State Fair.

In 1966 the Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum[36] was established featuring an extensive collection of pianos, organs, phonographs, vintage motion picture projectors, and movie palace artifacts, many of which are on permanent display.

Downstairs has a variety of interactive sections for the youth to participate in, including a newsroom, demo kitchen, animal husbandry, crafts, and GPS mapping.

[41] The facility is located in front of the Horticulture Building and aims to recreate a park-like setting within the fair, including a reflecting pool and mini-golf course.

[42] * All-time one-day record The 375-acre (1.52 km2) fairgrounds complex operates year-round and annually hosts more than 500 non-fair events.

The fairgrounds is a key player in New York's equine industry, hosting more than 40 horse events each year.