GEDDES — The Feb. 7 winter storm that blew across upstate New York made the second annual Winter Fair at the State Fairgrounds “a little bit more challenging” this year. “We had a weather condition that we didn’t have the first year,” says Steve Becker, president and owner of Premier Promotions and promoter of the […]
GEDDES — The Feb. 7 winter storm that blew across upstate New York made the second annual Winter Fair at the State Fairgrounds “a little bit more challenging” this year.
“We had a weather condition that we didn’t have the first year,” says Steve Becker, president and owner of Premier Promotions and promoter of the Winter Fair event, referring to the snowstorm.
Overall attendance at this year’s Winter Fair was about 15,000, down from an attendance count of about 25,000 at the inaugural event in 2019, he notes. Becker spoke with CNYBJ on Feb. 17.
He believes the snow discouraged travelers from places such as Albany, Buffalo, Watertown, and Binghamton, which reduced the overall attendance figure.
“People were still kind of snowed in, even on Saturday,” says Becker.
The same situation applied to those living even closer to the venue in places such as Central Square, he notes.
Becker believes that if the Winter Fair had the type of quiet winter weather that came the following Valentine’s Day weekend, it would’ve attracted an overall attendance figure similar to last year, “if not more.”
This year’s Winter Fair had an expanded area for rides with 16 rides, including two Ferris wheels instead of one, more food vendors, and fireworks displays both Friday and Saturday night.
Most of the food vendors and ride operators say they’ll return for the 2021 Winter Fair, according to Becker.
“All the music and entertainment went off without a hitch,” he says.
The event is funded through sponsors, such as Stanley Law Offices, L.L.P. And, Onondaga County provided funding to help pay for the fireworks displays.
“[Onondaga County Executive] Ryan McMahon is very big on the idea that events bring in people from outside the area, help with sales tax … this is the second year [the county] has been a sponsor,” says Becker.
The City of Syracuse also provided the stage for the entertainment performers, he adds.
The event also raised $4,000 through the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation for the Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse, up from $3,600 last year.
Becker says he’s already planning for the next Winter Fair, which will be held at the end of January in 2021.
“We call it Winter Fair because of the timing … about six months before the State Fair,” says Becker.
The New York State Fair provides promotional support for the Winter Fair, he adds. Becker also says tourism promotion agency I Love NY mentioned Winter Fair in its February blog about statewide activities to which people can travel, a promotion that he called “very helpful this year.”
Becker says the Winter Fair is starting to gain traction as a go-to event in the winter.
“After two years, even though I still feel we’re in our infancy, we’re becoming a tradition,” he contends.