The Great New York State Fair reopened after a New York State Fair rain closure on Wednesday, when flooding from heavy rain shut the Great New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes, N.Y. Around 10:30 a.m., a storm producing heavy rain moved over the area and parts of the fair flooded.
The fair sent out an alert around 11:36 a.m. as storms causing heavy rain moved through the area. It said all gates were exit-only, told people not to enter the fairgrounds and asked anyone inside who could not leave to find the nearest building and shelter in place.
Great New York State Fairgrounds
The closure came after much of the water had receded, allowing the fair to reopen later on Wednesday. For fairgoers, the immediate instruction changed from staying inside the grounds to staying away from flooded areas until the water had receded.
The fair said, “Avoid flooded areas until water has receded,” and added that it did not have an ETA for when it would allow fairgoers back into the gates. That left visitors with one clear direction during the interruption: leave if possible, or move to the nearest building and wait.
Wednesday and Sept. 3
Rain and storms were expected throughout the majority of Wednesday and into the morning of Sept. 3. The timing left the fair managing a temporary closure during active weather, then restoring access once conditions improved enough for water to drain away.
For anyone planning a visit, the practical takeaway was simple on Wednesday: keep clear of flooded areas, follow the exit-only gates if already inside, and wait for the fair to reopen access rather than arriving without an ETA for entry.
