The New York State Fair offers a variety of complimentary items and experiences for attendees, ranging from eco-friendly souvenirs to personalized keepsakes and practical tools. While the availability of free food samples appears to have decreased in recent years, the fair continues to provide opportunities for visitors to collect unique swag and participate in interactive exhibits without additional cost. These freebies are often scattered throughout the fairgrounds, requiring attendees to explore specific booths and buildings to locate them.
Types of Freebies Available
Visitors to the New York State Fair can find free items at various exhibits and vendor booths. The selection includes practical goods, fun trinkets, and educational materials.
Eco-Friendly and Practical Items
The New York State Power Authority exhibit is noted for its focus on sustainability and education. Attendees can participate in a passport program designed for children, which involves visiting five stations to collect stamps. Upon completing the passport, participants receive a pack of wildflower seeds. Additionally, individual stations along the route offer smaller freebies, including: * Carabiners * Clip-on bicycle lights * Eco-friendly tote bags
Personalized and Interactive Souvenirs
The "I Love NY" booth, located in the Expo Building, provides an interactive experience where visitors can learn about New York attractions. A key feature of this exhibit is the availability of complimentary photographs. Attendees can pose at various photo opportunities, including a hot-air balloon display where an attendant takes a picture, prints it on-site, and provides the physical copy to the visitor. The booth also offers a "spin the wheel" game with prizes such as hand sanitizer, sunglasses, pop sockets, buttons, and tote bags.
Fun and Novelty Items
Several booths offer novelty items suitable for children and adults. The Cumulus Radio booth, situated in front of the Science & Industry Building, features a spinning wheel with prizes including keychains, bandanas, drawstring backpacks, and umbrellas. The Science & Industry Building also hosts an LGBTG+ booth distributing dinosaur pop-it keychains, which serve as fidget toys. Another booth, located inside Gate 3, gives away small rainbow-colored slinkies; this booth is also promoting opportunities for future employees and foster parents.
Health and Safety Products
For those interested in outdoor activities, the fair provides specific safety items. The I Love NY booth offers eclipse glasses for an upcoming solar eclipse. Furthermore, an exhibit dedicated to hiking safety provides tick removers to help attendees address the risks associated with tick bites in New York's parks and forests.
Location and Access
Locating these freebies requires visiting specific areas of the fairgrounds. The following locations are identified in the source material as housing free items or experiences: * Horticulture Building: Visit the Taste NY section for rotating food and beverage samples (e.g., whiskey, wine, salsas, mushrooms, tea). * Expo Building: Hosts the I Love NY exhibit with photo opportunities and a prize wheel. * Science & Industry Building: Contains the Cumulus Radio booth and the LGBTG+ booth. * Near Gate 3: Location of the Hillside booth offering slinkies. * NYS Power Authority Exhibit: Specific location within the fairgrounds not detailed, but accessible via the passport program.
Admission and Event Logistics
While many freebies require visiting specific booths, the fair also offers free admission on designated days for eligible groups. These days allow specific individuals or pass holders to enter the fairgrounds without paying the standard admission fee.
Free Admission Days (2025 Schedule)
Based on the provided schedule for the 2025 fair, the following free admission days are available: * Student Youth Day (August 21): Children 18 and under receive free admission. * Law Enforcement Day (August 25): Active or retired law enforcement and corrections personnel receive free entry with a badge or photo ID. * State Parks Day (August 25): Visitors holding an Empire Pass, Liberty Pass, or Access NYS Park Pass are eligible for free entry. * Fire, Rescue and EMS Day (August 26): Active or retired members of fire departments, emergency services, or EMS organizations receive free admission with department or agency ID. * Armed Forces Day (August 28): Active-duty military and veterans receive free entry with military ID. * Native American Day (August 29): Members of recognized Native American tribes are eligible for free admission.
Concerts and Entertainment
The fair features a concert lineup including performers such as Busta Rhymes, O.A.R., and Shaggy. These performances are part of the broader entertainment package available to fairgoers.
Considerations for Attendees
Attendees should be aware that the availability of freebies can be limited. It is recommended to visit desired booths early in the day or before items run out. Additionally, while food sampling was historically a significant part of the fair experience, current reports suggest a reduction in the number of food freebies compared to previous years. Visitors are also encouraged to consider donating surplus non-food swag, such as pens and tote bags, to local schools to assist children in need of basic supplies.
Conclusion
The New York State Fair remains a source of free, useful, and entertaining items for attendees willing to explore its various exhibits. From environmental giveaways at the Power Authority booth to personalized photos at the "I Love NY" exhibit and practical safety tools, there are diverse opportunities for free acquisition. Visitors should check the specific dates for free admission if they qualify and plan their route to include the Horticulture Building, Expo Building, and Science & Industry Building to maximize their experience.