More than 53,000 people visited the New York State Fair on Monday, pushing total attendance past 461,000 through the first six days as the fair enters Tuesday with Fire, Rescue and EMS Day, three major concerts and a full slate of competitions and demonstrations.
Fair officials reported 53,502 visitors Monday, bringing 2026 attendance to 461,740. While Monday’s crowd was slightly smaller than the 55,972 people who attended the corresponding day in 2025, the fair remains well ahead of last year’s pace overall.
Through six days in 2025, attendance totaled 370,894, putting this year’s fair 90,846 visitors ahead at the same point.
The gap was built largely during a strong opening weekend. Attendance reached 114,644 Saturday, Aug. 29, up more than 26,000 from the corresponding Saturday last year, before another 94,059 people came through the gates Sunday — an increase of more than 34,000 from the same day in 2025.
Opening day also drew 66,898 people, more than double last year’s first-day attendance of 32,736. Thursday was the only day through Sunday that fell below its 2025 counterpart, while Friday was essentially even with last year.
Monday’s 53,502 visitors were 2,470 fewer than the same fair day in 2025 and well short of the sixth-day record of 103,842 set in 2019.
The fair continues through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
Fire, Rescue and EMS Day takes center stage Tuesday
Tuesday, Sept. 1, is Fire, Rescue and EMS Day, with a ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial.
The day also brings a mix of emergency-services demonstrations throughout the fairgrounds. The New York State Police exhibit will feature rollover simulations, underwater recovery team demonstrations, canine and bomb disposal demonstrations and Special Operations Response Team presentations at various times throughout the afternoon and evening.
Away from the public safety programming, one of Tuesday’s early attractions will be The Fast and the Furriest Corgi Races, with shows scheduled at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Exposition Center.
The fair’s familiar collection of daily entertainment also continues, including the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Hollywood Racing Pigs, the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, Circus Hollywood, Ski Extreme Productions, Birds of Prey demonstrations and Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy.
Agriculture remains a major part of Tuesday’s schedule. A hay bale throwing competition begins at noon in the Beef Barn, while the New York State Supreme Female Beef Cattle Show is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Rooster Crowing Contest Jamboree is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Poultry Building, and hands-on butter making begins at 2 p.m. at the Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum.
The Best of the Fair food judging continues at 10 a.m. with judges turning their attention to the fair’s best sweet food.
Three concerts highlight Tuesday lineup
Music will run from afternoon into the night, beginning with Neil Forever at 1 p.m. at Chevy Court.
The Pop 2000 Tour takes over Chevy Court at 6 p.m. The touring show features music associated with the pop era of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Country singer Scotty McCreery headlines the evening at Suburban Park with an 8 p.m. performance.
Additional music is scheduled throughout the grounds, including Todd Hobin at the Grange Building, Dr. Woods at the NAACP Van Robinson Pan-African Village and several acts at restaurants and smaller stages.
Tuesday will also feature Seneca Day programming at the Haudenosaunee Village. A special social dancing performance is scheduled for 2 p.m., with additional Iroquois social dancing at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Young athletes will have a full day of competition as well, with a boys 16-and-under basketball tournament running through much of the day at the NY 529 College Savings Sports Activity Center.
Other attractions include Jon Stetson, “The Mentalist,” at the Empire Theater; multiple talent showcase preliminary contests; historic exhibits; woodworking, weaving and spinning demonstrations; the State Fair sand sculpture; and activities at the State Park at the Fair.
The fair opened Aug. 26 and runs for 13 days through Labor Day. Tuesday marks Day 7, putting the event just beyond its halfway point with six full days remaining after Tuesday.
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