It may be winter, but that did not stop upstate New Yorkers from experiencing a mini-version of the great New York State Fair last weekend at the Exposition Building at the Syracuse Fairgrounds from Feb. 8 to 10.

The fair offered something the long cold days of winter cannot; summer excitement.

“We’re sure that families will be looking for something fun to do together in February and are very excited to see this new event grow and prosper,” fair director Troy Waffner said.

  Twenty-five thousand people came out to the three-day event, a nice surprise for Waffner given fair expectancies ranging around the 20,000 attendance mark. Projections for next year may include two buildings instead of one and longer fair hours.

Incorporating a bit of summer fun into the Winter Fair makes the event a little more memorable, said Steve Becker of Premier Promotions, the promoter of Winter Fair.

“We know this will be a good time and a great way to push aside the mid-winter blues,” Becker said.

In typical fair fashion, vendors flocked aisle after aisle with goods, food vendors delivered service, and lines of parents waited for their children to have a chance at the rides.

“A winter fair was a great way for the kids to get out and have fun,” said Bruce Block, owner of Antique Underground. “Believe me, if I were that age, I’d love to be on those rides.”

Block is part of a group called City Market Vendors, most of whom were at the fair.

Another vendor decided to have a little advertising fun. Kathy Mulford, owner of Mom’s Snack Shack, asked fellow vendors for donations to get their logos painted on her face and arms by a fellow paint artist.

“Whoever gives me the most money is definitely going to have the most face time,” she said. “Just something extra fun to do.”

Fairgoer Erika Sanders, who is visiting, said she likes the idea of a winter fair because it gives people a taste of summer and a chance to experience the fair on a smaller scale.

“I think it’s cute that all the rides are for the kids and they have wine slushies for the parents,” Sanders said. 

The day wound down with an evening of music, starting with the BlackLites Band and ending with The Todd Hobin Band.

The BlackLites members handed out red Valentine’s Day roses to women in honor of the upcoming holiday. They surprised the fairgoers with songs from the 1970s rock band, Earth, Wind and Fire.

Todd Hobin, a nationally acclaimed songwriter and educator, wooed the crowds with original music from his early days. Adults and children alike danced the evening away with soft rock music.

The inaugural New York State Winter Fair provided some of the events found at the summer fair but in a winter season.

Photo by Shea O’Malley | The Oswegonian