This year’s event will be held in two sessions in the Horticulture Building at the Fairgrounds. The first session will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the second session will run from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Festival attendees pay a single price and receive (with proper identification) a complimentary glass that can be used for sampling wines, beers, liquors, and ciders. All vendors make free samples of their products available and can sell their products directly to consumers.

Companies that participated in 2013 offered very positive reviews of the event:

“Harvest Fest helped us expand into a new market for our wines in the Syracuse area. We gained distribution in three stores because of the exposure at Harvest Fest. It’s also another way for people to get to know us and our wines,” said Pam Raymor of Raymor Estate Cellars of Bloomfield, Ontario County.

“Being at Harvest Fest is our way of reminding people our spiedie marinades, sauces, and meats are available. It’s an inexpensive way to have one-on-one conversations with our customers. We hear great stories about our products and we do make sales,” said Sam A. Lupo, Jr., co-owner of Sam A. Lupo & Sons, Inc. of Endicott.

“We had a lot of people stop by our booth last year for tastings and to hear about our new company. We made sales and most of all, we made great connections. We received a lot of exposure from this well-organized event and made sure to get it on our calendar for this year,” said Anita Elwell, business manager for Adirondack Distilling Company of Utica.

“This event showcases the growing diversity and strength of New York’s agriculture industry. Dozens of companies proved that some of the best food and drink in the world is made right in our own backyard. They made new customers and consumers found new favorites. I encourage any food or beverage company in New York that is looking to make new connections to come to the Taste NY Harvest Fest,” said Commissioner Ball.

Companies interested in knowing more about Harvest Fest can call Geneanne Keegan-Smith at 315-487-7711 extension 1212. Information for exhibitors, including an application form, can be found at www.nysfair.org/harvestfest.

The Taste NY Harvest Fest will also feature free seminars on New York wines, beers, and ciders, conducted by experts from prominent New York beverage businesses. Food will be available for sale in the building’s quick-serve restaurant.

Admission to the Taste NY Harvest Fest is $15 by advance sale ticket purchased no later than 4:30 p.m., Thursday, October 30 and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in person at the State Fair Administration Building, by phone at 315-487-7711 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by faxing an order form to 315-487-9260. The order form can be downloaded from the Harvest Fest website at www.nysfair.org/harvestfest. Orders placed by phone or fax can be picked up at the door during the event. Each ticket is good for only one of the two sessions, and you will be asked to choose the session for which you are purchasing the ticket. Cash, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted. Tickets are non-refundable, cannot be exchanged, and cannot be replaced if lost.

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