“The ‘Pride of NY’ emblem will be seen across the grounds at the Great New York State Fair,” said Commissioner Ball. “This is a symbol of excellence in New York agriculture and this year fairgoers will see it as they enter various buildings, take part in tastings, and on various agricultural products available for purchase.”

“We’ve really made an effort this year to bring agriculture to the forefront at this year’s Fair, and ‘Pride of NY’ is one of the most recognizable labels within New York agriculture,” said Acting Director Waffner. “We take pride in our Fair and we take huge pride in being part of the State of New York, and we think using the ‘Pride of NY’ symbol to showcase different kinds of New York agriculture at the Fair this year will be an enjoyable experience for fairgoers.”

“Pride of NY” Meets New York Flower Power
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This year, the Great New York State Fair is teaming with New York Flower Power, a non-profit organization working to strengthen New York’s independent horticulture businesses, to promote the “Pride of NY” program throughout the Fairgrounds.

Ned Chapman, President of New York Flower Power, said, “New York Flower Power firmly believes in the power of the ‘Pride of New York’ brand. We also believe in its potential as a catalyst to direct the consumer to New York State’s independent producers of horticulture products. I am always on the lookout when I visit one of the mass merchants as to where their product originates. And that is the reason for our work at this year’s State Fair – to educate the consumer that we have great products, great growers and great prices right here in New York.”

More than 60 flower pots with a diameter of 2 to 3 feet across, all bearing the “Pride of NY” logo, will be scattered throughout the fairgrounds, including most building entrances throughout the grounds. Some will contain summer annuals, while some will contain a variety of extra-large New York vegetables including sweet corn, cabbage, kale and peppers. Some of these potted plants will range in height from 6 to 8 feet, with many beginning their ascent back in May of this year.

Christmas Tree Farmers at the Great New York State Fair

Members of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York State have been employing the “Pride of NY” symbol on their products for many years. This year, the Association is planning a major overhaul of its display on the Northwest Corner of the Horticulture Building, with an assist from a team of nearly 100 dedicated volunteers.

Mary Jeanne Packer, Executive Director of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York State, said, “At both the wholesale and retail level, ‘Pride of NY’ is a really important brand for New York’s Christmas tree farmers. This year, we hope to sell as many as 100,000 Christmas trees to New York City wholesalers alone – an unprecedented level. Each of these trees will have a tag that will contain the ‘Pride of NY’ Logo with the tagline – ‘A real tree from real farmers in New York State.’ This brand is a seal of quality and an assurance that the consumer purchasing a tree is buying a quality product from New York. At the local level, farmers use the ‘Pride of NY’ brand to make consumers aware that they are in fact buying local. This is a great time for our Association and we look forward to a great 12 days at the Fair this year.”

Have you ever wondered where your Christmas tree goes after it leaves your house? Most often it’s turned into mulch. At the 2014 Great New York State Fair, Mulch Mountain will premiere at the Association’s display. Children will be able to climb on a giant mulch pile or crawl through a “tunnel” under the mountain.

Also at the Fair, the Association will premiere a new documentary video that will provide fairgoers with an opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes in all four seasons to keep Christmas trees healthy and attractive year round. The video will go hand in hand with the Association’s brand new communications campaign: “Grow. Care. Decorate.” Through posters, signs and demonstrations, fairgoers will have the opportunity to learn about how to plant and grow their own trees, to care for real fresh cut trees or potted trees in their homes during the holidays, and how to decorate with greens all year long.

Nine varieties of real New York State Christmas trees will be on display throughout the 12 day Fair, including a number of first place winners, reserve and grand champions in the Fair judging competition. Forty to 50 trees will be at the Fair, including Turkish Fir, Nordmann Fir, Austrian Pine, Douglas Fir and Fraser Fir.

Pride of NY Producers at the Fair

A number of New York State agricultural producers will be sampling products at the “Taste NY” Tent at this year’s Fair. Many participate in the Pride of NY program, including B.T. Enterprises, Casa Larga, Catskill Distilling, Chocolate Gecko, Coffee Depot, Cooperstown Cookie, Fox Run Vineyards, Giovanni Food Company, Golden Oaks Foods, Hidden Hollow Farms, Holly P. Saucery, Hot Mama Gena’s, Hungry Bear Farms, Janet’s Cookie Jar, Joe’s Jerky, Keegan Ales, Lucas Vineyards, Ma Ma Rella’s Fine Foods, Mapleland Farms, Nana’s Topping, Our Daily Eats, Pazdar Beverage Company, Primo & Mary Heritage Products, Raw Revolution, Red Fox Farm, Redco Foods, Rescue Chocolate, Saucy Lady, Seaway Trail Honey, Senza Glutine by Carmela, Standing Stone Vineyards, The Rob Salamida Company, The Winery at Marjim Manor, Tom’s Bootleg BBQ, and Villa Bell’Angelo.

For more information about the Pride of NY program, please visit: www.prideofny.com.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 21 – September 1, 2014. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its 2014 theme, “Summer’s Best in Show,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment. This year’s tagline – “New Attractions, Old Favorites, Timeless Fun” – highlights the more than two dozen new events and attractions and the expansion or enhancement of several Fairgoer favorites.

In addition to the annual New York State Fair, the Fairgrounds host dozens of agricultural events throughout the year, including some of the Northeast’s most prestigious horse and livestock shows.

The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website. Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, and enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/NYSFair. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.

Media Contacts:
Joe Morrissey
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
518-457-0752

Dave Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377