Jones Beach Magic of Lights Show on Long Island is One of Dozens of Holiday-Themed Events Across NYS

Magic of Lights Show at Jones Beach State Park, Long Island, is one of dozens of seasonal events and programs at New York state parks and historic sites.

New York State is inviting visitors from near and far to celebrate the holidays at dozens of seasonal events and programs at State Parks and Historic Sites across the state through the end of the year, starting with the annual Jones Beach Magic of Lights show underway through Jan. 2, 2022, on Long Island.

The Magic of Lights Show at Jones Beach State Park is a drive-through placed along 2.5 miles of park roadway, lit with the latest LED technology, including a 200-foot light tunnel, 40 different lighted holiday scenes, and LED decorated holiday trees. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and dusk to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.  

More details are available here. Ticket proceeds support charitable causes, with last year’s show raising more than $150,000 for local organizations, in addition to collecting non-perishable food items, toys, books, coats and more. 

Highlights of other holiday-themed events include a Gilded Age Christmas celebration at the decorated Staatsburgh State Historic Site in the Hudson Valley, a Black Friday hike through a rare Lake Erie sand dune environment at Woodlawn Beach State Park, a post-Thanksgiving “Turkey Trot” run at Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn, a visit by Santa Claus at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, and the 47th annual Christmas Bird Count at Letchworth State Park in western New York.  

For those wishing to head outside instead of a crowded shopping center, take a hike. Visit the State Parks website for a trail near you.  

For a complete listing of holiday events, please visit the NYS Parks calendar of events here. The list will be updated as further events are added. Some events may require pre-registration or an admission fee. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, and boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020. A recent university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors supports $5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and more than $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518.474.0456. Also, connect with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

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Weddings, Baseball, Arts and Entertainment Resume in New York State

Wedding receptions and catered events can resume statewide in New York State, following the state’s strict health and safety protocols © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Wedding receptions and catered events can resume statewide in New York. All venues hosting weddings and catered events must follow the State’s strict health and safety protocols, including the following requirements:

• Venues are restricted to 50% capacity, with no more than 150 attendees per event
• All attendees must have proof of recent negative test result or proof of immunization prior to the event
• Sign-in with contact information required to assist with potential contact tracing
• Venues must notify local health departments of large events, above the social gathering limit, in advance
• Masks will be required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking
• Ceremonial and socially-distanced dancing allowed in designated areas

Detailed guidance for in-person and catered events is available here.

“New Yorkers have remained resilient throughout this entire pandemic, and the numbers show how effective our behavior has been in stopping the spread of this virus,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said.”As the state’s positivity and hospitalization numbers continue to decline and we ramp up vaccinations, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer and we can focus on safely reopening different sectors of our economy without compromising the progress we’ve made. Weddings and catered events will now be allowed to resume across the state, with strict protocols in place to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers. This is great news – but we must continue with the practices that we know work to defeat this virus once and for all.”

The reopening of wedding receptions and other catered events builds on the Governor’s recent measures to further re-open the economy amid a steady decline in New York’s COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates.

Effective March 19th, New York City indoor dining expanded to 50 percent capacity and the rest of New York State increased to 75 percent capacity for indoor dining.

The MTA has partially restored overnight service on the New York City Subway.

On February 14th, the Governor issued an Executive Order extending closing times to 11 p.m. statewide for restaurants, bars, gyms and fitness centers, casinos, billiards halls and any other location with an SLA license.

The Governor also announced beginning April 2, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors.” And Citifield which is the home base for the Mets and Yankee Stadium will be able to welcome fans at 20 percent capacity.

New York’s Major League Baseball teams, the New York Mets and New York Yankees, can resume play with spectators in the stadiums, beginning April 1. Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20 percent capacity. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening. The New York State Department of Health will re-evaluate the testing and vaccination entry requirements in May, and if the public health situation continues to improve, they may be discontinued in mid-May. Vaccinations will continue to be administered at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field during the MLB season.

Building on the recent reopening of large professional sports arenas, the Governor also announced that smaller, regional sports venues that hold 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 people outdoors can also reopen, beginning April 1. Initial capacity will be limited to 10 percent indoors and 20 percent outdoors. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening.

Governor Cuomo also announced that large outdoor performing arts venues, including stadiums, that hold more than 2,500 people can reopen at 20 percent capacity, beginning April 1. Venue capacity will continue to increase as the public health situation improves with more New Yorkers receiving vaccinations and fewer COVID-19 cases in the community. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening.

To re-open professional sports with spectators at large outdoor stadiums, each venue must adhere to strict health and safety protocols, including:

• Obtain NYS DOH approval for ALL venues and events
• Institute a 20 percent capacity limit
• Ensure spectators and public-facing event staff present proof of a recentnegative COVID-19 test result or proof of vaccination prior to the event
• Mandate face coverings, social distancing, and temperature checks for all those in attendance
• Mandate assigned, socially distanced seating
• Collect contact information from all those in attendance to help inform contact tracing efforts
• Meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation, and purification standards for any indoor areas
• Ensure retail, food services and athletic activities abide by all State-issued guidance

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Jones Beach State Park Gets $36 Million in Improvements to Enhance Visitor Experience – Just in Time for Holiday Spectaculars

The US Navy Blue Angels return to the Memorial Day Weekend Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park. New York State is making $36 million in improvements to the park, one of the world’s best beaches, to enhance the visitor experience © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Jones Beach State Park, one of the finest beaches in the entire world, is set for $36 million in improvements, and the first of the improvements will be on view during the Memorial Day Weekend  Bethpage Air Show as well as Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the improvements, including new Taste NY vendors, to enhance the visitor experience at Jones Beach State Park. In addition to the improvement projects, the Governor also announced a new prototype mobile app to assist visitors with parking as well as the return of the annual Memorial Day weekend Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular and the I LOVE NY Tourism Pod. The improvements and events are part of Governor Cuomo’s $65 million commitment to restore the park’s historic grandeur, attract new visitors and create new recreational facilities.

Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach
Kicking off every Memorial Day Weekend, the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach attracts thousands of visitors to Long Island beaches to celebrate the beginning of summer, and shine a light on military families as well as honoring those who serve our country. This year’s show features the United States Navy Blue Angels, the F-35 Lightening II fighter, the Golden Knights U.S. Army parachute team, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, and many other world-class military and civilian performers.
The Show takes place Saturday, May 28 and Sunday May 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. For more information, visit  here.

Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular 
The July 4 Fireworks Spectacular, a Long Island patriotic tradition, will return to Jones Beach State Park this summer for the second year in a row. The 30-minute fireworks display, sponsored by Astoria Bank and performed by Garden State Fireworks, will begin at 9:30 p.m.

The Astoria Bank July 4 Fireworks Spectacular has traditionally drawn an average of more than 100,000 spectators in prior years, and is included in the regular price of park admission.

This year’s program, with lead sponsorship by Astoria Bank, is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust, Foundation for Long Island State Parks Inc., Captree Boatman’s Association, Newsday, Connoisseur Media Long Island and J & B Restaurant Partners.

Prototype Jones Beach Parking Mobile App
New York State has developed a prototype for a parking app that will make it easier for people to find parking at Jones Beach. Visitors can go here on their smartphone and find parking availability for each lot updated in real-time. Additionally, the New York State Department of Transportation is working to display those parking updates on electronic signs on the Southern State Parkway and other highways leading to Jones Beach. Parking availability will also be available on Twitter at @JonesBchUpdates.

Field 6 Concession Building
Last year, State Parks completed a $2.3 million renovation of the deteriorated bathroom and dining areas of the Field 6 Concession Building, which serves one of the most popular beach areas in the park. The improvements to 1948 structure allow for booths and tables to be placed in the concession area during the off-season, creating a diner-like experience for many patrons who visit year-round.

Taste NY Café and Taste NY Bar
The Café in the West Bathhouse will be one of the busiest Taste NY locations in the state, with more than 6 million people visiting Jones Beach each year. It will feature products from more than 30 different food and beverage producers located in nearly every region of New York, including Long Island. For a complete list of producers click here.

The Taste NY Café will give visitors the opportunity to enjoy everything from local seafood and hot sandwiches to bakery items and craft beverages. For visitors on the move, it will also offer grab-and-go options such as salads, chips, drinks, and more. The Taste NY Café is the latest addition to a growing number of Taste NY locations across the state. Taste NY products are featured at more than two dozen rest areas and travel plazas along the New York State Thruway, as well as at stores, cafés, and concession stands. Additional locations are expected to open later this year.

Additionally, Taste NY has partnered with State Parks and the premier live entertainment company, Live Nation, to promote the state’s growing craft beverage industry at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater which is operated by Live Nation. The partnership features the launch of a new Taste NY Bar, which will offer a rotation of New York wine, beer, spirits and cider selections to the approximately 350,000 annual visitors of the outdoor amphitheater. The Taste NY Bar will be operational for more than two dozen events this season. It will also offer New York snacks and food. For a list of participating producers click here.

Taste NY is an initiative launched by Governor Cuomo in 2013 to promote New York’s food and beverage industries. It is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair. The program has also opened stores at Thruway rest stops along the state’s highways and in transportation hubs, enabling travelers to buy New York State’s homegrown and homemade products. Approximately 1,100 local companies have participated in these opportunities, further linking their products and the state’s growing food and beverage market to consumers from across the globe. For more information about Taste NY, visit www.taste.ny.gov. Connect with Taste NY through Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and Pinterest.

The $36 million in improvements also include:

Restoration of the West Bathhouse
The West Bathhouse, built in 1931, underwent a $16 million project to restore interior space and reestablish the open, airy connection between the pool and boardwalk that was part of the original design. The work included reopening the central bays in the West Bathhouse South Building in order to reconnect the water-to-water view and circulation from the pools to the beach. Concession spaces, including a new Taste NY Café, which will serve fresh, New York-made food and beverages, were reoriented to their historic north-south axis to allow easier access through the building and enliven the central core. New kitchens were installed to provide a wider array of menu options at the unique concession areas. It will be operated by the newly selected concessionaire, Centerplate.

The renovations to the West Bathhouse also include the addition of a new retail space and the historic vaulted ceiling that had been covered over by drop ceiling tiles was exposed. The interior improvements build on work completed last year to preserve and improve the Art Deco exterior of the bathhouse, including installing windows to match its original appearance, replacing the pool deck, and repairing the pool filtration system.

The final phase of the West Bathhouse project will be to restore and reactivate the stately second-floor Marine Dining Room and adjoining outdoor terraces to their original 1930s character, providing rentable space for catered weddings, reunions, proms and other events. The Marine Dining Room is expected to open for events by early spring 2017.

Improvements to the East and Central Malls 
Construction will begin this year on a $14 million new green, climate resilient Jones Beach Marketplace on the East Mall. The market will offer fresh prepared foods, featuring Taste NY products and will be operated by Centerplate. The market building will also house a commissary for the preparation of food for the majority of Jones Beach food concessions, new bathrooms, and offices and retail for the new East Mall Adventure Course.

The 15,837 square foot building will be elevated over 2 feet above the base flood elevation which is required by FEMA to prevent the marketplace from being damaged in future storms. Major utilities will be located inside the elevated building or up on the roof and the building itself will be located further back from the original structure so that it is kept outside of the Coastal Erosion Hazard Area. Access to the building will be from elevated terraced boardwalks starting at the height of the existing boardwalk to the floor elevation of the new building.

The design of the new terraces will include hurricane straps to help the structure survive future storm surges. The windows and doors on the exterior will be constructed using impact resistant glass. The new marketplace building will restore the Beaux Arts symmetrical plan of the Central Mall, the gateway to Jones Beach. Since 2004, the East Mall site has remained vacant when building was demolished due to structural failure. Construction is expected to be complete for the 2018 season.

View renderings of the completed market building here and here.

Other improvements taking place this year include:

• The $2.7 million reconstruction of the East Mall Games Area will provide patrons with shaded picnic areas, new games including bocce ball and shuffle board courts, table tennis, and plantings. This area is to open to patrons in the fall 2016. View rendering here.

  · The East Mall Adventure Course, is a $1.5 million facility that will be constructed by park concessionaire Wildplay, and will include a series of ropes courses, a 40’ zip line, pathways, and small play areas in a naturalized landscape. It is anticipated to be open by summer 2017.

  · The Central Mall will undergo a $1.5 million restoration including paving, new plantings, replacement of historic signage and lighting, and reconstruction of the original fountain. It is anticipated to be completed by summer 2017.

Additional efforts to improve the visitor experience at Jones Beach State Park include:

I LOVE NY Tourism Pod
The I Love NY Pod will once again be appearing at events throughout New York State offering a one-of-a-kind experience to learn more about New York State’s 11 vacation regions. This highly interactive mobile Pod includes a green screen where your picture can be imposed on visuals from around the state, pop quizzes about the state’s world-renowned destinations, and itineraries that can be personalized and e-mailed to you right from the Pod. I Love NY ambassadors are also available to help answer questions and find great places visit.

The I LOVE NY Tourism Pod will appear at the following locations:

• Memorial Day Weekend: Jones Beach Air Show, Long Island
  · June 3 – 5: Fairport Canal Days, Finger Lakes
  · June 10 – 13: Mysteryland, Catskills
  · June 18: Adventures NYC, New York City
  · July 2 – 3: Syracuse Jazz Festival, Finger Lakes
  · July 9 – 10: Taste of Buffalo, Greater Niagara
  · October 1 – 2: Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, Hudson Valley

For more information on New York’s 11 vacation regions, visit www.iloveny.com.

“Today we are seeing the historic grandeur of Jones Beach as it was meant to be,” Governor Cuomo said. “The rebirth of Jones Beach is helping to grow our tourism industry while bringing jobs to Long Island communities, and I encourage everyone to visit one of most beautiful and celebrated seasides in New York State.”

World famous Jones Beach State Park, home of 6.5 miles of beautiful white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean, is made up of more than 2,400-acres of maritime environment on the south shore of Long Island and attracts more than 6 million visitors each year.

The park improvements and events reflect Governor Cuomo’s commitment to revitalizing the state park system and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor’s NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The Governor’s 2016-17 Executive Budget allocates $90 million toward this initiative. In addition, this year the Governor announced the Connect Kids to Parks program, which provides free day-use park entry to fourth-grade students and their families, and creates a new transportation grant program to help students from underserved schools visit state parks and historic sites.

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Registration Opens for 5th Annual First Day Hikes in 38 New York State Parks, Sites

 

 

Jones Beach State Park in winter. Registration is now open for First Day hikes in 38 New York State parks and historic sites © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Registration is now open for the fifth annual First Day Hikes program taking place at 38 state parks and historical sites on January 1. First Day Hikes give people of all ages an opportunity to kick off the New Year and enjoy nature during guided walks.

First Day Hikes offer a great way to connect with the outdoors, exercise and enjoy nature on New Year’s Day. Participants can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of the season and spectacular vistas, and benefit from the company of a knowledgeable guide. State park staff and volunteers will lead these family-friendly walks and hikes, which average one to three miles or longer depending on the location.

This year, 41 hikes are being offered at 38 New York state parks and historic sites. The programs include a seal walk, winter woodlands, a walking history tour, a snowshoe waterfall hike, pet-friendly treks, crossing one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, and more. If weather conditions permit, some First Day Hikes may include snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Many hikes will be offering refreshments. Last year, over 2,100 participants took part in celebrating First Day Hikes across the state.

 

In New York, hikes will be offered at the following locations:

Western New York

• Allegany State Park- Red House, Salamanca, anytime 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.; 716-354-9101 x.236
  · Buffalo Harbor State Park, Buffalo; 10 a.m.-12 noon; 716-549-1050
  · DeVeaux Woods-Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 716-285-5154
  · Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown; 1:30 p.m.–4 p.m.; 716-285-5154
  · Genesee Valley Greenway State Park, York; 10 a.m.; 585-493-3600
  · Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 716-549-1050
  · Letchworth State Park, Castile; 1 p.m.; (two hikes – one for families with young children); 585-493-3600
  · Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; 716-285-5154

Finger Lakes & Central New York

• Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, Westford; 1 p.m.; 607-638-5421
  · Catharine Valley Trail, Watkins Glen; 10 a.m.; 607-535-4511
  · Chenango Valley State Park, Chenango Forks; 12:30 p.m.; 607-648-5251
  · Clark Reservation State Park, Jamesville; 1 p.m.; 315-492-1590
  · Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego; 10 a.m.; 315-343-4711
  · Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg; 1 p.m.; 607-387-7041
  · Two Rivers State Park, Waverly; 10:30 a.m.; 607-273-3440

North Country & Greater Capital District

• Mine Kill State Park, North Blenheim; 11 a.m.; 518-827-8690
  · Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort; 10 a.m.-12 noon; 518-793-0511
  · Peebles Island State Park, Waterford; 10 a.m.; 518-268-2188
  · Point Au Roche State Park, Plattsburgh; 1 p.m.; 518-561-4213
  · Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, Sackets Harbor; 12 noon; 315-489-3642
  · Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs; 10 a.m.; 518-584-2000
  · Schodack Island State Park, Schodack Landing; 1 p.m.; 518-732-0187
  · Thacher State Park, Voorheesville; 10 a.m.; 518-872-0800
  · Wellesley Island State Park, Fineview; 1 p.m.; 315-482-2479

Hudson Valley

• FDR State Park, Yorktown; 11 a.m.; 914-245-4434 x8
  · John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah; 1 p.m.; 914-232-5651 x 105
  · Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Peter’s Kill, Kerhonkson; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; 845-255-0752
  · Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Sam’s Point, Cragsmoor; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; 845-255-0752
  · Olana State Historic Site, Hudson; 11 a.m.; 518-828-0135 x303
  · Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville; 9 a.m.; 914-666-6503
  · Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo; 11 a.m.; 845-351-5907
  · Taconic State Park – Copake Falls, Copake Falls; 1 p.m.; 518-329-3993
  · Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park; Poughkeepsie; 2 p.m.; 845-454-9649

New York City and Long Island

• Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale; 10 a.m.; 516-249-3560
  · Clay Pit Ponds, Staten Island; 11 a.m.; 718-605-3970 x201
  · Connetquot River State Park, Oakdale; 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.; 631-581-1072
  · Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh; 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.; 516-785-3614 or 516-780-3295
  · Montauk Point State, Montauk; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; 631-668-2554

“The natural beauty of New York State makes the perfect backdrop for welcoming in 2016 with family and friends,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “I encourage everyone to start a new tradition and take a First Day Hike at their local state park or use the occasion to discover a new favorite.”

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey said, “We are proud to once again host the First Day Hikes and offer these popular outdoor events for the New Year. For 2016, we’re offering more inspiration than ever for people of all ages and interests from lakeside trails to spellbinding views of a gorge, centuries of military history, and treks through woods or waterfronts. So start off the year with a healthy hike and set the stage for enjoying the parks year-round.”

Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain, registration requirements and additional information are listed at nysparks.com.

 

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Great New York State Fairgoers Can Take Advantage of New Interactive Services

Besides family-friendly activities at the Great New York State Fair this year, visitors will be able to take advantage of many new services including the opportunity to order a new “I Love NY” State Fair license plate, a new E-ZPass and search for job openings.
“Each year we strive to make the Great New York State Fair better than the last and by providing more educational activities and convenient access to state services, we are seeking to enhance the experience and provide more value for attendees,” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. “I urge every New Yorker to plan a trip to the Fair and experience the very best this state has to offer.”

State agency displays, as well as the Governor’s exhibit, will be located in the Center of Progress Building, the Science and Industry Building, and at many other locations on the Fairgrounds. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ tent will be located in front of the Administration Building. The displays will be open all twelve days of the Fair from Thursday, August 27 to Labor Day Monday, September 7.

Some of the interactive and informative state agency booths include:

Made in New York food products will be at the Taste NY tent, including samples of New York cheese, maple syrup, honey, granola, sauces and dips, wine, beer and spirits. There will be 70 vendors participating throughout the 12 days of the Fair, with dozens of food and beverage vendors who are new to the Fair this year. The tent is just inside the main gate.

Visitors can take a new license photograph at the DMV exhibit in the Center of Progress building, which will also offer services such as vision tests, booking reservations to visit a local office, enrolling in the organ donation program, and renewing a registration or driver license. Fairgoers can even order a custom State Fair license plate right at the booth (view a sample here ).

Jobseekers can search for employment through the Department of Labor’s Jobs Express program. Large, interactive TV monitors will allow fairgoers to search through more than 125,000 job across the state. Additionally, they can learn more about the Governor’s Exploited Worker Task Force and Nail Salon Enforcement Task Force.

E-ZPass will be available for purchase at the Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation booth. After a quick transaction, customers can register the new tag immediately on site via an iPad. Fairgoers can also learn all about New York’s canal and Thruway system by perusing a historical timeline and illuminated map.

Children can meet Captain America and Iron Man on September 4 and 5 at the Department of Health booth.

Learn about skin damage from the sun at the Dangers of Tanning exhibit by the Department of Health. Use the VISIA Skin Analysis System, which will photograph various aspects of the face, including pore size, brown spots, sun damage, and bacteria and provide great information on the quality of your skin.

A three-acre State Park right inside the Fair will be open for visitors to enjoy. A grassy oasis will be include a reconfigured layout, colorful welcome banners, signage, exhibits, and a new kiosk, all of which add to the lush plantings, tree-lined reflecting pool and shaded picnic area. While there, fairgoers can participate in a demonstration of 18th century chocolate making, interact with the lively Birds of Prey show, and get up close and personal with nature and the different species that live in State Parks across the state. View full schedule here .

Children can take a hands-on lesson on the dangers of germs , thanks to glow-in-the-dark Glo Germ™, a fun and safe product that casts a revealing glow when exposed to U.V. light, turning the invisible into “germs you can see.” Demonstration times are 10-11am, 12:30-1:30pm, 4:30-5:30pm, and 7pm-8pm daily.

The New York State Police will be in action , with opportunities for families to watch the State Police Dive Team work underwater, the Canine and Bomb Disposal Unit display their skills, and the Special Operations Response Team demonstrate rappelling techniques from a 50-foot tower platform. Take an up-close look at a Bell 407 helicopter, and talk to a real pilot. Children can even sit in a patrol car and turn on the lights.

Drivers can learn about the dangers of texting and driving with the AT&T It Can Wait game simulator at the Department of Health display, available daily from 11am-7pm.

Ideas for eating healthy on a budget will be available from nutrition experts, as well as a video game focused on making good food choices. Located at the booth for the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, USDA-developed “myPlate” interactive healthy meal and snack choice computer games will be available on two large touch screen monitors. The display will also include fun, nutritional-based activities led by experts from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). Representatives will also be available to answer questions about obtaining child support or making child support payments.

Learn more about why bees are vital to New York’s agriculture at the Department of Agriculture and Market tent, where a beekeeper will be on-hand to give visitors an up-close look at the pollination process by displaying a glass observation hive of honey bees. Other divisions will feature engaging displays on different days of the fair that will attract fairgoers of all ages. An interactive EMriver model will be on display August 27 and 28 which lets fairgoers get their hands dirty as they learn about the basic principles of river behavior and erosion, while Milk Control and Dairy Services staff will offer an inside look at how our milk is processed into cheese and yogurt on August 30 and August 31.

Get involved in the fight against drug abuse. Fairgoers can pick the best message about preventing heroin use from a display of billboards designed by South Colonie High School students. The most popular message will be displayed on the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse social media each day.

Visitors can connect with resources to improve mental health with four free mobile apps that will be demonstrated at the New York State Office of Mental Health booth. The apps can help teens reduce anxieties and stop bullying, promote veteran and service member resilience and positive mental health. On September 3rd and 4th, visitors can shake the paw of Tommy, a therapy dog who provides services to children in Western New York. Farmers and other agricultural workers can stop by on Dairy Day, August 31 and Grange Day, September 5 to meet with New York State FarmNet clinicians, who provide referrals and resources to farmworkers throughout New York.

Learn about clean energy projects in communities statewide using an interactive map at the exhibits for the Department of Public Service, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York Power Authority. Input a New York State zip code and view a map highlighting clean energy projects across the State and gain insight into how Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy future for all New Yorkers.

Families can learn how to prepare for disasters and emergencieswith experts from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. By taking a brief survey, visitors will be able to assess their own personal preparedness and will receive a free flashlight or emergency hammer, as well as information to enhance their personal safety from disasters and emergencies.

Learn about Fire Safety at the House of Hazards , an interactive exhibit for adults and children to learn about fire safety, created by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control. The House of Hazards has five stations, each with their own important fire and life safety messages about common fire hazards such as a kitchen fire and other home fire hazards.

Bridge engineers will be at work and visitors can use design software as a realistic, engaging introduction to engineering. Fairgoers will learn about truss bridges and how New York State Department of Transportation engineers use computers as a problem-solving tool to build and maintain safe bridges.

Plan a nature trip and take a fun photo at the Department of Environmental Conservation booth. The State Land Interactive Mapper will be available at the Log Cabin for fairgoers to plan and map their trips to state forests, parks and other public space, and there will be photo opportunities in front of the cabin to have pictures taken as a logger with a real log skidder tire and an angler with a huge fish on the line. There will also be interactive exhibits at which fairgoers will learn how DEC measures air and water quality and they can learn about the effects of acid rain.

Buy a sporting license from a full team of license sales agents who will be on hand each day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for the thousands of sportsmen and sportswomen who annually buy their hunting, fishing and trapping licenses at the DEC aquarium building at the fair. This year, fairgoers’ license-buying experience will be enhanced thanks to the streamlined licensing system enabling sales agents to more easily access current licenses, privileges, permits and tags held. License-buyers can also purchase lifetime sporting licenses at the fair, eliminating the need for annual renewals and presenting the opportunity to display the license on their NYS ID or driver’s license.

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New York State Fair Gets New Mobile App, Enhanced Website

A new mobile app and updated website for the Great New York State Fair, which runs daily through September 7, allow users to purchase tickets online, create a custom schedule with reminders for events throughout the day, and features a GPS-enabled map that allows visitors to know where they are on the fairgrounds. The mobile app, made by Persource, is available at nysfair.org/app .

“This new app and website will bring one of the state’s most treasured traditions into the 21 ^st century,” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. “With new tools on the website and on mobile phones, it has never been easier to plan a day at the fair and see the very best this state has to offer. I encourage all to use these tools and take a trip this year to the Great New York State Fair.”

The new app is available for free in the Apple and Google Play marketplaces. Within the app, users can scroll through hourly events and musical shows to build a custom itinerary. When an event is added to the itinerary, fairgoers will get a reminder 5 minutes before it begins. The app also features the “Food Finder,” which uses GPS to pinpoint a user’s exact location and shows the location of Fair food vendors.

Communication is another important function in the app. Buttons for Facebook and Twitter allow users to see posts and tweets from the Fair in real time, while the Messages section gives the Fair the ability to push important or urgent information to all app users at once.

The app is tied directly to the new website, www.nysfair.org , which allows content changes to happen instantly across both platforms. The website had not been updated since its last renovation in 2012. Since then, web browsing has moved to phones and tablets. Today, more than half of all visits to the State Fair website are from mobile devices. In response to this, the new website is now mobile-responsive — adjusting its design based on its screen size, whether the site is being accessed on a desktop computer with a widescreen monitor or on a cellphone with a narrow screen.

Troy Waffner, Acting Fair Director, said, “We are always looking for new ways to improve our visitors’ experience at the Great New York State Fair and that starts long before they walk through our gates. By providing a newly streamlined website with high-functioning compatible app, we’re making sure fairgoers have available the latest information on the fair and its year-round events at the touch of a button.”

The new website was built to handle large volumes of traffic during State Fair season, with upwards of 50,000 visitors each day. Other improvements include a more vibrant color scheme, the color-coded navigation bar floating at the top of each page as the user scrolls down the screen, and the ability to deliver shortcuts to users based on keywords to make searches successful more quickly.

The website’s longtime feature that helps people build an itinerary for their Fair visit is also enhanced. Thousands of events take place during the 12-day run of the Fair, including more than 500 free musical performances. It can be daunting to try to plan a day at the Fair, so improved website tools present the Fair’s events in several different ways to make planning easier and help build an itinerary: by day, time and venue.

The website integrates all content related both to the 12 days of the Fair and also to the year-round use of the fairgrounds for hundreds of events, ending the practice of changing the entire website for each season.

 

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Escape to New York’s Adirondacks for Ideal Fall Getaway

Less than an hour’s drive north of Albany and four hours north of New York City, The Adirondack Park offers unparalleled outdoor recreation and family-friendly festivals amid colorful fall foliage, ideal for an autumn weekend getaway.

The Adirondack Region is larger than most national parks, with six-million-acres of public and private lands unaffected by the U.S. Government shutdown. Located just a short drive from major metro areas in the northeast, the Adirondacks are a great alternative for travelers looking to have a wilderness park experience, but finding the gates closed at federally funded parks.

This weekend, fall foliage colors are nearing their peak vibrancy, and with warmer temperatures expected to continue through mid-October, now is the perfect time to hike, paddle and drive around the Adirondack’s mountains, lakes and rivers.

The Adirondack Region’s exciting fall festival line-up continues through the end of October.

The Adirondack Park offers some of the best wilderness vantage points in the country – from as-far-as-the-eye-can-see panoramas, to intimate ponds secluded in a reflective halo of golden leaves. Explore the East Coast’s largest wilderness park with special fall lodging deals offer a variety of opportunities, including:

Apple Picking Package in the Lake George Region – Package includes overnight accommodations at the elegant Georgian Lakeside Resort, sparkling cider upon arrival, dinner for two at Giovannas on the Lake, ½ peck of apples at pick-your-own Saratoga Apples and breakfast each morning of your stay. Rates start at $390 per couple and include all gratuities and taxes.

Adirondack Adventure Package in Lake Placid Region – Package includes one night’s accommodation at the family-friendly Ledge Rock at Whiteface in Wilmington, and a day pass to High Falls Gorge, featuring cliff walkways above the thundering Ausable River. Rates start at $122 per couple and do not include taxes. Enjoy easy access to Whiteface Mountain’s Oktoberfest and other fall foliage events, as well as scenic fall gondola rides.

Golfing Package on the Adirondack Coast – Package includes mid-week and weekend accommodations at the historic Bluff Point Golf Resort on the coast of Lake Champlain, two rounds of golf per person, access to a private sand beach and canoe and kayak rentals. Rates start at $84 per person mid-week, based on double occupancy.

Find more information about fall in the Adirondacks at: visitadirondacks.com/what-to-do/fall-foliage.

About the Adirondacks:
The Adirondack Region is a six-million-acre park offering limitless recreation amid 2,000 miles of hiking trails and 3,000 lakes and ponds. Part of the largest temperate forest in the world, the Adirondacks are also home to 103 towns and villages. Connect with the Adirondacks on Facebook.com/visitadirondacks or Twitter.com/visitadks. Search Adirondack events, attractions and Adirondack vacation packages at VisitAdirondacks.com.

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