Becoming a Vendor

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Thank you for your interest in becoming a new vendor at the New York State Fair. We are always looking for fun, new, and different items, foods and services that can be offered to Fairgoers for the 2024 State Fair that will be held for 13 days from Wednesday, August 21 through Monday, September 2 (Labor Day).

Interested parties must complete and submit an online Concessionaire/Exhibitor Space Application. These applications will be reviewed on a continuing basis. Please complete the entire application.

Here is important information for potential new vendors:

• • 2024 Concession & Exhibit License Rate Structure
  • 2024 Traffic Area Designation Map
  • 2024 Income Tax Form Examples

  Please carefully follow the instructions when filling out the application and be sure to include photos of the products or descriptions of the services you will be offering as well as a layout and photos of what your vendor exhibit space or concession trailer will look like. As part of the review, the Fair will be looking for products and services that are not currently offered as well as vendor space that is presented in a professional, neat and nice looking manner.

  The process is very competitive. Each year we receive hundreds of applications for a very limited number of licensing opportunities. The New York State Fair does not maintain a waiting list. As licensing opportunities become available, appropriate license registrations will be selected from the pool of registrations submitted. * Please Note: All types of cooking under any tents will be strictly prohibited for new applicants.

  Please review the application and instructions carefully. If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact the New York State Fair Concessions & Exhibits Office at nysfairconcessions@agriculture.ny.gov.

  This application takes 10-15 minutes to complete. If you do not complete the application, it will not be considered.

  You will receive an emailed copy of your application at the end of this online process. Please save/print both for your records. Be sure to use an email address that is checked regularly. Also be sure to check your spam folder for email from The Great New York State Fair.

  Important Information for Potential New Vendors

  State Fair Dates: August 21 - September 2, 2024

  Important New Vendor Deadlines:

  • February 12, 2024 – New vendor applications will begin to be reviewed on a continuous basis.
    Vendors will be notified of acceptance or denial via email from State Fair staff.
  • April 1, 2024 – Final date for submitting returning and new vendor applications.
    After this date vendor rates will incur a 1.5% increased price.

  So you sell food, drinks or merchandise and you are thinking you’d like to become a vendor at the Great New York State Fair? We receive many, many more applications each year than we have space for, so it’s important to know a few things about us before filling out your first application.

  • The Fair does not accept new food vendors that cook under tents.
  • For many vendors, moving up to a major festival such as ours is a very large step. Think about where you are working now. How big is the event? Are there levels between you and the Fair? If so, consider moving up carefully to a bigger event, such as a regional festival.
  • What can you afford? Rental rates are by the square foot and prices for a 10’ by 10’ space for example, are between $13 and $35 per square foot, depending on where you are placed.
  • Staffing is always a concern. The Fair runs for 13 days, with several days of setup before opening day. You’re required to be open every hour the Fair’s buildings or grounds are open, which can be 11 hours or more per day. You’ll need enough staff to cover all those hours while working within state labor laws.
  • What are you selling? You have the best chance to be accepted if you are offering something the Fair doesn’t have. We reject many applications because they’re selling products our returning vendors are already selling.
  • What does your setup look like? This isn’t a neighborhood crafts show – a table and tablecloth isn’t enough. We’re looking for colorful, well-designed displays that are fun for fairgoers to look at and which entice them to check out your stand.
  • If you’re selling food, think about how complicated your menu is. The most successful vendors have a limited range of offerings that they can prepare quickly. You are competing against more than 100 other food vendors and fairgoers won’t wait a long time for food. Simplify your menu and your cooking process.
  • How are your marketing skills? You’re in what you might call a massive shopping mall, with nearly 400 food, beverage and merchandise competitors. It’s not the Fair’s job to make you a success; it’s yours. Think about how you’d stand out, especially because new vendors can take a few years to become established with fairgoers who may stick to patterns they have used for decades.

  Consider these questions before applying as a vendor to the Fair. Our Concessions & Exhibits staff are happy to answer questions at anytime, so please contact them at nysfairconcessions@agriculture.ny.gov or call 315-487-7711.

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