The Empire Expo Center (also known as the New York State Fairgrounds) is an exhibition ground located in Geddes, a suburb of Syracuse, New York. It features eight exhibition halls and 375acres of ground space, which are used year-round for exhibitions and trade fairs.
Its major annual event is the Great New York State Fair which draws approximately one million visitors during its 13-day run, and the entire complex is often referred to as the Fairgrounds. Its name comes from the nickname of New York State, "The Empire State". The State Fair Coliseum located within the Empire Expo Center was the original home of the Syracuse Nationals (now Philadelphia 76ers) professional basketball team.
Originally known as the "State Fair Coliseum" until 2015, the venue is an indoor multipurpose arena. It was formerly the home of the Syracuse Nationals. It is now used for agricultural shows and the Tigris Shrine Circus. The Syracuse Stars hockey team played their games in the Coliseum and won the Calder Cup in the Inaugural Season of (what is now) the American Hockey League. The Midstate Stampede, a youth hockey team, also played in the Coliseum until the ice was removed around 2013. The Syracuse Hornets also played at the Coliseum, but due to financial troubles, the team folded after only 10 games.
Completed in 2015, it replaced the Mohegan Sun Grandstand as the primary concert venue.
Formerly known as the "New York State Fair Grandstand" until 2006. It was the main concert venue for the Great New York State Fair. In 2016, the grandstand was demolished.
Formerly known as "Cole Muffler Court". A festival setting stage that hosts free concerts during the fair. The venue underwent a $4 million renovation in 2016, which included new seating, landscaping and a bigger stage to draw big-name acts.[1] Concerts will be organized by Live Nation Entertainment.[2]
Theatre used for local acts, recitals, pageants and film screenings.
Formerly known as the "Special Events Stage", the stage hosts a variety of free entertainment spanning from comedy shows to music acts. All performers are from the New York State area.
Features country music acts, line dancers and cloggers.
A small stage located in the Dairy Products building, providing an "open mic" for amateur acts.
Annual events include: