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88-698: 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

176-668: A Master of Social Work . Colleges formerly located in Poughkeepsie were the Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical Institute, which closed in 2018, and the Eastman Business College (1859-1931). The city is protected by the career firefighters in the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department. By keeping buildings up to code , controlling illegal occupancies, monitoring the safety of living areas and issuing licenses and permits,

264-554: A humid continental climate ( Köppen Dfa ) with relatively hot summers and cold winters. It receives approximately 44.12 inches (1,121 mm) of precipitation per year, much of which is delivered in the late spring and early summer. Due to its inland location, Poughkeepsie can be very cold during the winter, with temperatures dropping below 0 °F (−18 °C) a few times per year. Poughkeepsie can also be hit by powerful nor'easters , but it usually receives significantly less snow or rain from these storms compared to locations towards

352-466: A 365-bed hospital situated next to U.S. Route 9 on Reade Place. The hospital has an advanced birthing center and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit . Vassar Brother Medical Center is owned and operated by Nuvance Health (formerly HealthQuest), a local nonprofit collection of hospitals and healthcare providers. Emergency medical services are provided by Mobile Life Support Services, which are contracted to provide full-time ambulance coverage to

440-492: A Citizen Observer Alert Network to keep citizens informed about local crime, emergency situations, and other important information. The Dutchess County Sheriff Station is based in Poughkeepsie and is adjacent to the Dutchess County Jail, which houses around 250 inmates maximum capacity at any time, with the same number of inmates housed at out-of-county facilities. Poughkeepsie is home to Vassar Brothers Medical Center ,

528-534: A chess match against world chess master Garry Kasparov , were also manufactured by IBM Poughkeepsie. In October 2008, IBM's Poughkeepsie facility was named "Assembly Plant of the Year 2008" by the editors of Assembly Magazine . Poughkeepsie remains IBM's primary design and manufacturing center for its newest mainframes and high-end Power Systems servers, and it is also one of IBM's major software development centers for z/OS and for other products. Until 1972, Poughkeepsie

616-568: A large campus in the adjacent town of Poughkeepsie . It was once referred to as IBM's "Main Plant", although much of the workforce has been moved elsewhere in the company (2008). The site once built the IBM 700/7000 series of computers as well as the IBM 7030 Stretch computer and later, together with the Endicott site , IBM mainframes . The RS/6000 SP2 family of computers, which came to fame after one of them won

704-454: A military base during World War II between 1942 and 1947; during this period, no fair was held. A truncated fair returned in 1948, followed the next year by a six-day, full-scale exposition, with large crowds. By the end of the 1950s, the fair had expanded to nine days and achieved an attendance of over 500,000. The James E. Strates Midway was added during this time, with nationally known entertainers to attract families and teenagers. In 1967,

792-608: A plowing contest, and samples of manufactured farm and home goods. The second New York State Fair was held in Albany in 1842. Between 1842 and 1889, the fair traveled among 11 different cities: Albany, Auburn , Buffalo , Elmira , New York City , Poughkeepsie , Rochester , Saratoga Springs , Syracuse, Utica , and Watertown . In September 1890, the Syracuse Land Company donated a 100-acre (0.40 km ) tract of land in Geddes to

880-512: A spring or stream feeding into the Hudson River south of the downtown area. English colonist Robert Sanders and Dutch colonist Myndert Harmense Van Den Bogaerdt acquired the land from a local Native American tribe in 1686, and the first settlers were the families of Barent Baltus Van Kleeck and Hendrick Jans van Oosterom. The settlement grew quickly, and the Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie

968-758: A theater that has an array of music, drama, dance, and film events and is the home of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic . The Mid-Hudson Civic Center, located down the street from the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, hosts concerts, professional wrestling and trade shows and has an ice rink next door for ice hockey . From July 1984 to August 5, 1986, the Civic Center was the location for filming WWF Championship Wrestling . The Chance , located at 6 Crannell Street in downtown Poughkeepsie, hosts live rock concerts with local as well as major artists. The collections of

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1056-496: A transformation of the Fairgrounds in 2015 that included a sweeping redesign of the Fairgrounds that included taking out what was previously the 17,000 seat Grandstand and mile-long dirt track which hosted the State Fair Championship auto race from 1949 to 2003. This marked the first major transformation the Fairgrounds had seen in 100 years. The transformation included rebuilding the main gate, making it reminiscent of

1144-528: A variety of equestrian competitions, consumer shows, community events, and meetings. Poughkeepsie, New York Poughkeepsie ( / p ə ˈ k ɪ p s i / pə- KIP -see ), officially the City of Poughkeepsie , which is separate from the Town of Poughkeepsie around it, is a city in the U.S. state of New York . It is the county seat of Dutchess County , with a 2020 census population of 31,577. Poughkeepsie

1232-584: Is Pentecostalism (1.3%), followed by Lutheranism (1.1%), the Baptist Church (0.9%), the Latter-Day Saints (0.3%), and Christians of other denominations including the Eastern Orthodox and United Church of Christ (2.7%). The second largest religious group outside of Christianity is Islam (2.4%). The Islamic community primarily identifies with Sunni Islam in the area. Following Islam, 0.8% of

1320-431: Is constructed throughout the 13 days of the fair. In 2011, the fair received positive feedback as they paid respect to the victims of 9/11 with a sand sculpture recognizing the 10 years that had passed since the terrorist attacks. Past sand sculpture themes have included The Beatles , Syracuse University , USS New York , Dr. Seuss , and The Olympics . The State Fair Coliseum was built in 1923 and its first event

1408-511: Is home to a recently renovated demonstration kitchen, which has been the host of several celebrity cooking demonstrations by such chefs as Adam Richman , Bobby Flay , and Mario Batali . The Art & Home Center is the hub of all culinary, art, and craft exhibitions, with various New York artists displaying photography, woodworking, quilting, needlework, and the fine arts. Each year, the Art & Home Center hosts its annual Women's Day Luncheon. In 2009,

1496-744: Is in the Hudson River Valley region, midway between the core of the New York metropolitan area and the state capital of Albany . It is a principal city of the Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh metropolitan area which belongs to the New York combined statistical area. It is served by the nearby Hudson Valley Regional Airport and Stewart International Airport in Orange County, New York . Poughkeepsie has been called "The Queen City of

1584-705: Is located in New Windsor in Orange County. The Hudson Valley Renegades is a minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Yankees . The team is a member of the High-A East , and play at Dutchess Stadium in the nearby town of Fishkill . The Hudson Valley Hawks were a team in the National Professional Basketball League until 2009 when the league disbanded. The team's home court

1672-498: Is located several miles up the Hudson from Poughkeepsie in the town of Hyde Park and is registered as a national historic site; it is considered to be a sterling example of the mansions built by American industrialists during the late 19th century. Locust Grove, the former home of Samuel F.B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, is nearby. The city is home to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House ,

1760-432: Is one of the largest of the 110 buildings on the fairgrounds. The building is located just inside the fair's main gate, along the perimeter of Chevy Court. This building hosts up to 250 vendors and concessionaires and was previously the home of the fair's 180-ton sand sculpture until 2018 when the sand sculpture was moved to the new Exposition Center. The new (2018) Exposition Center contains the 180-ton sand sculpture, which

1848-566: Is owned by USA Today . News 12 Hudson Valley is a regional television channel targeting the Poughkeepsie and the Hudson Valley region. FM radio stations in the area are: AM radio stations in the area are: The Poughkeepsie City School District is the public K–12 school system, serving approximately 5,000 students. The Oakwood Friends School is a co-ed boarding and day school serving approximately 170 students, grades 5–12. Located about 75 miles (121 km) north of New York City , it

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1936-450: Is stimulated by several major corporations, including IBM . Educational institutions include Marist College , Vassar College , Dutchess Community College and The Culinary Institute of America . The name Poughkeepsie is derived from a word in the Wappinger tribe's Munsee language , roughly U-puku-ipi-sing , meaning 'the reed-covered lodge by the little-water place', referring to

2024-595: Is the Catholic Church (37.8%), served by the Latin Church Archdiocese of New York . The second and third largest Christian organizations are Methodism (2.6%) and Presbyterianism (2.0%), and fourth, Anglicanism/Episcopalianism (1.7%). Anglicans or Episcopalians within the city limits and surrounding area are primarily served by the Episcopal Diocese of New York . The fifth largest Christian group

2112-584: Is the oldest college preparatory school in New York State, founded in 1796. Oakwood was founded on the Quaker principles of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. The school's vibrant community nurtures the spirit, scholar, artist, and athlete in each student. Poughkeepsie Day School , also outside the city, is a progressive co-ed pre-K-through-12 day school serving approximately 140 students, founded in 1934 by local families and members of

2200-652: Is the oldest and one of the largest state fairs in the United States, with over one million visitors annually. The New York State Fair begins in August and runs for 13 days, ending on Labor Day . The Fair did not operate in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is held at the 375-acre (152 ha) Empire Expo Center on the shores of Onondaga Lake , in the town of Geddes , near the western border of Syracuse. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets owns five of

2288-597: The American Dairy Association and Dairy Council. During the twelve days of the fair, the Dairy Cattle Barn is used by dairy cattle exhibitors. During the offseason, it is utilized as an exhibit building and hosts many trade shows for the public and for various industrial groups. This century-old structure serves as an anchor for Chevy Court. During the fair, the building hosts a variety of health and safety-related exhibitions. The Art & Home Center

2376-469: The Great New York State Fair , is a 13-day showcase of agriculture, entertainment, education, and technology. With midway rides, concessionaires, exhibits, and concerts, it has become New York 's largest annual event and an end-of-summer tradition for hundreds of thousands of families from all corners of the state. The first fair took place in Syracuse in 1841, and took permanent residence there in 1890. It

2464-538: The Mid-Hudson Bridge for motor vehicles and pedestrians, and the pedestrian Walkway over the Hudson . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km ), of which 5.1 square miles (13.3 km ) is land, and 0.23 square miles (0.6 km ) (comprising 10.05%) is water. Poughkeepsie lies approximately 75 miles (121 km) north of the center of

2552-484: The New York megacity . It is 73.5 miles (118.3 km) south of the New York state capital of Albany . The highest elevation of Poughkeepsie is 380 feet (120 m) above sea level on College Hill. Its lowest is on the Hudson River. Poughkeepsie makes up a part of the Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh metropolitan statistical area , which is a part of the wider NY-NJ-CT combined statistical area . Poughkeepsie has

2640-504: The United States Constitution , and New York State entered the new union as the eleventh of the original Thirteen Colonies to become the United States. In 1799, a new seal was created for the city. The community was set off from the town of Poughkeepsie when it became an incorporated village on March 27, 1799. The city of Poughkeepsie was chartered on March 28, 1854. Poughkeepsie was a major center for whale rendering, and

2728-459: The "Pride of New York Marketplace" occupied a permanent structure at the main entrance to the fairgrounds, selling various goods and foods produced in New York state. In 2013, the fair brought a new attraction to allow Fairgoers to sample different products from vendors in all regions of the state in the "Taste NY" tent. Each day, up to a dozen different food and beverage vendors would offer samples of their products. The Center of Progress Building

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2816-593: 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: 43°04′26″N 76°13′16″W  /  43.074°N 76.221°W  / 43.074; -76.221 Great New York State Fair The New York State Fair , also known as

2904-710: 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

2992-462: The 12 day run in 2010. A $ 50 million transformation of the Fairgrounds, the first major renovation the Fairgrounds had seen in over 100 years, was announced on January 21, 2015. The Fair's previous 2001 attendance record was broken on September 5, 2016, with 1,117,630 Fairgoers visiting the Fair. The 2016 Fair also broke three attendance records and had four days over 100,000 – the most ever. In 2017

3080-533: The 1840 carriage entrance. The brand-new Main Gate is ADA-compliant and technologically equipped for faster ticketing and admissions. The midway received a new layout that now included 15 acres. The Midway's new asphalt pad is the size of over 10 football fields with more room and a better layout for rides and attractions. Improvements include a Kiddieland area, phone charging stations, shaded rest areas, and underground electric/water/sewer for vendors. A new Empire RV Park

3168-532: The 1925 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ was permanently installed in the Empire Theatre of the Art & Home Center where it has entertained audiences for over 50 years of music history at the fairgrounds. Between 1962 and 1966, the fair was officially known as New York State Exposition before being named the New York State Fair in 1967. The fair expanded to 10 days in 1978, and the buildings at

3256-621: The 9-11 memorials. During the fair, it hosts many horticultural exhibits and concessionaires such as a baked potato booth, the New York Maple Center, and produce, flower, and apple exhibits. A wide variety of additional events are held at the building throughout the year. It includes the fair's New York Café, which operates during the fair and selected events. Horticulture Building also hosts the Taste NY, where visitors can try some food and drink samples for free and buy their favorite products on

3344-568: The Agricultural Society. Crossed by railways that facilitated exhibit transport, the Onondaga County location became the fair's permanent home. In the late 1890s, The Agricultural Society turned to state government for relief from debt due to the construction of permanent buildings on the site. The state purchased the grounds in 1899, and assumed management of the fair the next year, creating an 11-member State Fair Commission appointed by

3432-411: 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. This building is located in proximity to the fair's veterans' memorials and

3520-535: 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,

3608-462: The Empire Theatre. In addition to being home to local theatrical productions meetings and seminars, the theatre is home to a 1925 Wurlitzer Co. 3 manual 11 rank theatre pipe organ, opus 1143, which was moved from the RKO Keiths Theatre in downtown Syracuse in 1966. This building serves as a staple for food enthusiasts during the fair, where fairgoers can choose foods from select countries around

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3696-519: The Fair's duration was lengthened to 13 days. Chevy Court's most recent attendance record was set on a Sunday, September 2, 2018, with 40,000 people attending a performance by the A boogie Wit Da Hoodie. On July 6, 2020, it was announced that the fair would be cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The Fair resumed in 2021, lengthened to 18 days. The following year it returned to its previous 13 day format. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced

3784-546: The Historic Quad to the Crossroads. In 2016, Governor Cuomo appointed a Task Force to determine how an additional $ 50 million for Phase Two of the Fairgrounds would be spent. Chevy Court is an open-air concert theater. In 2009, the fair changed its format to feature two different national performing artists every day, rather than having the same artist perform twice on the same date, in order to attract additional people to

3872-655: The Hudson River a recreation of the regatta was held with Marist College Crew as its host. The events included a fireworks display, a large dinner, and the unveiling of the restored historic Cornell Boathouse, now property of Marist Crew. Historically accurate, the four mile long course started off Rogers Point in Hyde Park and ended about a mile south of the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge . Competitors included Marist , Vassar , Army , Penn , Navy , Syracuse , Columbia and Cornell . Notably this

3960-675: The Hudson". It was settled in the 17th century by the Dutch and became New York State's second capital shortly after the American Revolution . It was chartered as a city in 1854. Major bridges in the city include the Walkway over the Hudson , a former railroad bridge called the Poughkeepsie Bridge which reopened as a public walkway on October 3, 2009; and the Mid-Hudson Bridge , a major thoroughfare built in 1930 that carries U.S. Route 44 over

4048-523: The Hudson. The city of Poughkeepsie lies in New York's 18th congressional district . The City of Poughkeepsie and neighboring Town of Poughkeepsie are generally viewed as a single place and are commonly referred to collectively as "Poughkeepsie", with a combined population of 77,048 in 2020. Poughkeepsie is situated between the Lower Hudson and the Capital District regions, and the city's economy

4136-519: The Pride of New York Marketplace and a permanent maple exhibit. The fair changed its Chevy Court format to include two different performers each day in 2009. The Syracuse Crunch hosted the first outdoor game in American Hockey League history on February 20, 2010 at the Fairgrounds and set a league attendance record with 21,508 fans. A record of 206,000 fairgoers attend Chevy Court concerts during

4224-446: The Quad to restore the park as a relaxing space to gather and rest, with more seating and better signage. A new curbed median was added along Hiawatha Street with trees, shrubs, and new lighting. A new entrance along Bridge Street, Gate 11A, ties in with the larger Onondaga Lake West Revitalization Project. Pedestrians can access Gate 11A via a new walkway and viewing platform leading past

4312-529: The Vassar College faculty. Other private schools in the area include Tabernacle Christian Academy and Our Lady of Lourdes High School. Spackenkill Union Free School District , comprising generally the southern part of the town of Poughkeepsie, consists of Hagan Elementary School, Nassau Elementary School, Orville A. Todd Middle School, and Spackenkill High School . Arlington Central School District , covers substantial parts of Poughkeepsie as well as parts of

4400-591: The best state fair attraction in 2011. In 2015, Syracuse.com suggested that Chevy Court be named the "Best Free Concert Series in America." The Fair was also the recipient of the People's Choice Syracuse Area Music Award in 2016 for Best Festival. The Midway features several rides, funhouses, games, and concession stands. The 2014 Fair brought the first new midway to the Fair in over 70 years, provided by Wade Shows . This change brought new rides, concession stands, and games to

4488-596: The building celebrated its 75th anniversary by celebrating the life of suffragette Harriet May Mills , whom the building is dedicated to. The building also hosts a display of operating model trains and circus trains during each year's fair. In 1966 the Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum was established featuring an extensive collection of pianos, organs, phonographs, vintage motion picture projectors, and movie palace artifacts, many of which are on permanent display. The Art & Home Center contains

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4576-509: The buildings at the fair and employs its workers. In February 1832, The New York State Agricultural Society was founded in Albany by a group of farmers, legislators, and others to promote agricultural improvement and local fairs. The nation's first state fair was later held in Syracuse from September 29–30, 1841. Attendance was estimated at 10,000–15,000; features included speeches, animal exhibits,

4664-538: The center of the Dairy Products Building is the rotating butter sculpture, comprising 800 pounds (360 kg) of unsalted butter. The sculpture has been a feature at the fair since 1969. Once the fair is over, the butter is converted to biofuel to fuel college buses by students of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. The butter sculpture is sponsored by

4752-487: The city was $ 29,389, and the median income for a family was $ 35,779. Males had a median income of $ 31,956 versus $ 25,711 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,759. About 18.4% of families and 22.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.3% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over. Per Sperling's BestPlaces , nearly 54% of Poughkeepsie and its surrounding area have religious affiliation. The largest Christian organization

4840-509: The city was 52.8% White, 35.7% Black or African American, 10.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 1.6% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 5.3% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. There were 12,014 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.8% were married couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who

4928-472: The city's inhabitants. Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans made the two largest groups of Hispanic and Latin Americans in the city, followed by Cubans and others. In 2018, there were 12,627 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 6 living in them. 56.1% of households has children from 6 to 17 living with them. 14.0% of householders aged 65 and older lived alone. The average household size

5016-688: The city. They provide paramedic level service, including advanced life support , and have ambulances stationed in the city on Pershing Avenue. Mobile Life also has a staff of specially trained paramedics that provide tactical Emergency Medical Services support to the city police during ESU/SWAT operations, as well as emergency responses for the Fire Department via their Special Operations Response Team. They also provide advanced life support ambulance service to other agencies and municipalities in Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange counties, and their headquarters building

5104-484: The department works to limit the potential for dangerous situations and the occurrences of fire hazards. The Poughkeepsie Fire Department operates out of three fire stations , located throughout the city, and operates and maintains a fire apparatus fleet of four engines , including one reserve engine; two ladder trucks; one rescue vehicle, cross-staffed as needed; and one fireboat . The Arlington Fire District , Fairview Fire District, and New Hamburg Fire Department cover

5192-533: The entire length of the course; which were longer than present-day races, with varsity eights rowing a 4-mile (6.4 km) race. When the rowing association moved the regatta to other venues, the Mid-Hudson Rowing Association was formed to preserve rowing in the area. It successfully lobbied to preserve the regatta's facilities for use by area high schools and club rowing programs. As part of the 400th anniversary celebration of Henry Hudson 's trip up

5280-525: The fair as well. The fairgrounds host a variety of displays, events, competitions, and attractions that teach fairgoers the importance of agriculture. In 2011, the fair had over 14,000 animals entered to be exhibited including horses, dairy cattle, rabbits, and dairy goats. In addition to animal entries, 2014 brought in over 10,000 agricultural entries including antique tractors, beverages, Christmas trees, flowers, forage, grain, and 4-H . The fair also aims to promote New York-grown products and foods. In 2008,

5368-439: The fair with acts appealing to different audiences. Chevy Court performances attracted an estimated 150,000 people in 2009 and more than 170,000 in 2010 and over 200,000 in 2011. The stage has hosted Lady Antebellum , Bruno Mars , REO Speedwagon , and many others. The Syracuse New Times , regional arts and entertainment publication, named Chevy Court the best free concert venue in Central New York in 2009, 2010, and 2012, and

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5456-448: The fair, the Coliseum is used mainly for the multi-breed horse shows which include breeds such as Pintos, Arabians, Miniature horses, Quarter horses, Morgan, and Appaloosas, hunter/jumpers as well as the draft breeds and the heavy and light horse pulls. This arena also accommodates the Holstein Dairy Cattle Show on dairy day, the 4-H agility dog show, and multiple other shows on Labor Day. The Syracuse Stars hockey team played their games in

5544-464: The fair. There are 800 beds, lockers, full shower/bathroom facilities, and laundry. Downstairs has a variety of interactive sections for the youth to participate in, including a newsroom, demo kitchen, animal husbandry, crafts, and GPS mapping. Located within the fairgrounds is the one-acre (0.40 ha) "State Park at the Fair", billed as the smallest park operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation . The park

5632-408: The fair. Wade Shows offers promotions to Fairgoers such as dollar ride specials and a Mega Pass which can be used by one person for the entire fair's duration. In addition to the Midway is the Kiddie Midway which features rides and games for younger fairgoers. Approximately 100 rides are located in both the Midway and Kiddie Midway. Agriculture is a large component of New York State, and a big part of

5720-418: The fairgrounds began to be rented during the off-season. The fair expanded to 12 days in 1990. During the 1980s and 1990s, fair officials responded to criticism of slim minority presence by adding gospel festivals and a Pan-African village display. Sign language interpreters were also added, and the grounds were made accessible to people with disabilities. On September 7, 1998, the fair closed one day early for

5808-579: The first time, due to the Syracuse Labor Day derecho . Two of the storm's three deaths occurred on the fairgrounds. In 2006, the Industrial Exhibit Authority , a New York state public-benefit corporation that owned 5 of the buildings at the New York State Fair and employed its workers, was disbanded by the New York State Senate and its workers and buildings were transferred to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. In 2008, fair administration began to focus more on agriculture, with exhibits showcasing products made in New York State, such as

5896-512: The governor. A $ 2-million long-term building plan was enacted in 1908, which would last for two decades. During this time, the Manufacturers and Liberal Arts Building, now the Center of Progress Building, was constructed. It was joined by the Dairy Products Building and Grange Building (now the Science & Industry Building) in 1910. During the Great War , the fairgrounds was utilized for military training beginning in May 1917, being designated Camp Syracuse ; it trained about 40,000 Soldiers, and

5984-428: 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. Concerts will be organized by Live Nation Entertainment . Theatre used for local acts, recitals, pageants and film screenings. Formerly known as

6072-399: The industry flourished during the 19th century through shipping, millineries, paper mills, and several breweries along the Hudson River, including some owned by Matthew Vassar , founder of Vassar College . Wealthy families such as the Astors , Rogers, and Vanderbilts , built palatial weekend homes nearby due to the area's natural beauty and proximity to New York City. The Vanderbilt Mansion

6160-404: The oldest continuously operating entertainment venue in the state. The city of Poughkeepsie is located on the western edge of Dutchess County , in Downstate New York 's Hudson River Valley Area . It is bordered by the town of Lloyd across the Hudson River to the west and by the town of Poughkeepsie on the north, east and south. There are two crossings of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie:

6248-426: The population profess Judaism and 0.1% practice an eastern religion . As of 2020, the dominant industries in Poughkeepsie are healthcare , retail , education , science and technology , finance , and manufacturing . The arts community is part of the current wave or revitalization in Poughkeepsie with creative people moving from New York City and elsewhere, affectionately called "Poughkipsters." IBM has

6336-607: The south and east. Extremes range from −30 °F (−34 °C) on January 21, 1961, to 106 °F (41 °C) on July 15, 1995. The American Community Survey 's 2018 estimates placed the population at 30,356. There were 14,240 housing units. 39.8% of Poughkeepsans were non-Hispanic white , 36.4% were Black or African American , 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native , 1.2% Asian American , 5.0% multiracial , and 0.3% from some other race. An estimated 15 persons were of Pacific Islander heritage according to 2018's estimates. Hispanic and Latin Americans collectively made up 17.1% of

6424-468: The spot.. Ten Dairy Products Buildering is family-oriented and contains attractions such as the butter sculpture, and a Milk Bar serving multiple varieties of milk. In 2012, 403,189 cups of milk were sold to fairgoers, breaking an all-time record at the New York State Fair. Other attractions include Dairy Princesses, entertainment on center stage, and samples of various dairy products. Located in

6512-539: The surrounding town of Poughkeepsie. The Fire Department is capable of handling fires, rescues, extractions and natural disasters. It is a certified Emergency Medical Services first responder fire department and first responder to calls with Mobile Life Support Services. Police protection to the city is provided by the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department. The police department has over 125 employees, including 96 sworn police officers and 34 civilians, of which 13 are emergency dispatchers. The Police Department also operate

6600-820: The team only played for one season and became the Connecticut Cougars the following year. The league folded due to financial problems in January 2008. Subsequently, the city was home to the Hudson Valley Bears , one of four founding members of the Eastern Professional Hockey League , for one season. Both teams played their home games at the McCann Ice Arena in the Mid-Hudson Civic Center . One of Poughkeepsie's most notable sports events

6688-414: The towns of Beekman , La Grange, Pleasant Valley , and Union Vale . There are no institutions of higher learning operating within the city limits, however Dutchess Community College , Marist College, and Vassar College are all located just outside the city in the surrounding Town of Poughkeepsie . In addition, Adelphi University 's Hudson Valley Center located at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital offers

6776-517: The world. In 2010, the International Building was redesigned to feature more seating and a new New York Beer and Wine Pub. In 2015, the International Building added a new Vegan and Vegetarian vendor, which was the first of its kind at the State Fair. An educational building for youth and families attending the fair. Upstairs serves as a dormitory for 4-H and FFA youth that are competing at

6864-448: Was 2.33. A total of 6,606 families lived within the city of Poughkeepsie and the average family size was 3.21. The median household income from 2014 to 2018 was $ 42,296 and the mean income was $ 60,763. At the 2010 census there were 32,736 people. The population density was 5,806.2 inhabitants per square mile (2,241.8/km ). There were 13,153 housing units at an average density of 2,556.6 per square mile (987.1/km ). The racial makeup of

6952-461: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.15. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males. The median household income in

7040-477: Was added, including 313 RV sited, fully equipped with sewer, electric, and water hookups. The new Empire RV Park is spacious, secure, and organized and makes the Fairgrounds accessible year-round for distant travelers. Features include a new grid layout, camera, blue light systems, and online reservations. The redesign also included preserving the Historic Quad which includes five of the oldest buildings around an open park setting. Commercial vendors were removed from

7128-615: Was at Beacon High School , located approximately 16 miles (26 km) south in the city of Beacon . The Hudson Valley Highlanders of the North American Football League played their home games at Dietz Stadium in nearby Kingston . Poughkeepsie hosted a founding member of the North Eastern Hockey League with the formation of the Poughkeepsie Panthers in 2003. However, due to financial problems,

7216-631: Was established by 1720. The city of Poughkeepsie was spared from battle during the American Revolutionary War and became the second capital of the State of New York after Kingston was burned by the British . In 1788, the Ratification Convention for New York State included Alexander Hamilton , John Jay , and George Clinton . They assembled at the courthouse on Market Street and ratified

7304-836: Was first opened in 1974 during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the New York State Council of Parks . The facility is located in front of the Horticulture Building and aims to recreate a park-like setting within the fair, including a reflecting pool and mini-golf course. Exhibits within the park demonstrate features and activities available at New York's state parks and historic sites ; additional exhibits have included live birds of prey and boating safety demonstrations. * All-time one-day record The 375-acre (1.52 km ) fairgrounds complex operates year-round and annually hosts more than 500 non-fair events. These range from major entertainment and sporting events to

7392-600: Was home to the Smith Brothers cough drop factory. The Smith Brothers' gravesite is in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery . Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County are within the media market of the New York—New Jersey—Connecticut combined statistical area , though the city is headquarters for The Poughkeepsie Journal , the third-oldest active newspaper in the United States. Poughkeepsie Journal

7480-841: Was impacted by the Spanish flu in 1918, and closed as a military base in November 1918. The Coliseum was opened in 1923, initially serving as host to the World's Dairy Congress. To address a growing and nostalgic public interest in local history, the Iroquois village exhibit and an agricultural museum were opened in 1928. The fair was re-branded as the New York State Agricultural and Industrial Exposition in 1938, reflecting closer ties to industry, and included an extended 14-day schedule featuring popular entertainment acts. The fairgrounds were used as

7568-470: Was the World's Dairy Congress. Five thousand people came to see Dairy cattle 40 different countries. In 1947–48 Syracuse University basketball team held their games there and in 1949–1952 the NBA Syracuse Nats called this home. The 1949 game set all-time records for the most points, most fouls, most free throws, most missed free throws, most overtimes, and longest game; most records still hold. During

7656-485: Was the annual Poughkeepsie Regatta of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association , which was held on the Hudson River from 1895 to 1949. The top college teams would attend along with tens of thousands of spectators. Poughkeepsie was known as the rowing capital of the world. Spectators watched from the hills and bluffs overlooking the river and from chartered boats and trains that followed the races along

7744-554: Was the first time women's crew teams were allowed to participate in the historic Poughkeepsie Regatta. Established British racing team Carlin Motorsport have chosen Poughkeepsie as their U.S. base whilst racing in Indy Lights . Poughkeepsie has a number of notable institutions for arts and entertainment. The Bardavon 1869 Opera House , located on Market Street just below Main Street, is

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