Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Four bored Cornell University students – Leah Simon, Anna Wood, Stephanie Tannen and Alexandria Shumway – spent their Friday traveling to Syracuse’s Winter Fair. The girls were grateful for a break from their studies and the welcoming environment of the fair.

“We wanted to get out of Ithaca and go to somewhere fun,” Shumway said while the other girls laughed.

With a lull of activities in upstate New York’s harsh winter, attendees of Syracuse’s Winter Fair appreciated the few days of the weekend where they got to pretend it was summer. Attendees at the fair sparked conversations with vendors, friends and families, sharing in everything the fair had to offer.

Children dueled with balloon swords and people danced below the stage while a performer played a trumpet. Attendees ate fried foods of all kinds — including a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich — and people lined up for the fair’s famous Pizze Fritte, what organizer Steve Becker called a “highlight” of the event.

Becker is no stranger to event planning. He launched his company, Premier Promotions, in 1977 and produced events in the upstate region, including Binghamton, Rochester and Syracuse, ever since. In Syracuse, he has organized jazz concerts and wine festivals.

In 2018, he thought of the idea for the winter fair and pitched it to the fair director, who needed events to hold in the newly built exposition center. They’ve held it there ever since.

Through his work in the area, Becker got in touch with many of the vendors for the fair. Once the fair got bigger, people from other states would call Becker asking to table at the event. Now, he regularly gathers around 120 vendors year after year and the majority of them return.

Solange Jain | Photo Editor

Thousands of visitors flocked to the Syracuse Winter Fair for its family-friendly atmosphere. Attendees enjoyed treats like fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fried Twinkies.

The four Cornell students noticed the family-friendly atmosphere and appreciated the community in Syracuse, one they aren’t familiar with. Tannen said she was particularly fond of the local booths and the items vendors hand crafted.

“It’s nice that they have a fair that’s indoors in the winter time because usually there isn’t much to do in the winter,” Simon said.

On Sunday, the fair honored the first day of Black History Month with gospel and R&B performers and fashion shows. Van Robinson’s Pan African Village showcased African music and Caribbean food.

“It’s a great melting pot of everyone that comes together for these kinds of events,” Jason Slater, a vendor at the fair, said.

Amanda O’Donnell was one of the fairgoers dancing to the music. Not usually inclined to dance, O’Donnell “was a good sport” when she was pulled onto the dance floor by her friend’s son.

Her first time at the winter fair, O’Donnell was impressed by the variety of food and rides, and the impromptu fun is likely to bring her back in the future. She enjoyed Limp Lizard, a popular barbecue spot, and said the fast rides appealed to the kids she was with.

“We spun really fast and I think I was dizzy for like 10 more minutes,” O’Donnell laughed.

John Shuba and his wife sold Monopoly boards for $10 with all proceeds going to the Food Bank of Central New York. Other vendors, like Jacc Shutter, tabled for the first time. Shutter sells a variety of handmade stickers, clothes and surrealist drawings. His mom sat in the corner of his booth, proudly watching customers interacting with her son’s art.

Shutter has unintentionally got into many conversations about birds with interested customers because they frequently appear in his drawings. Those conversations, where people show interest in his work, enticed Shutter to come back to the fair.

Slater sold his wife’s novelties at the fair: handmade crochet plushies and towels. He enjoys interacting with the little kids and families that come up to his table, and seeing the varieties of people from the area.

Solange Jain | Photo Editor

Beading Wolves was one of the featured tables at the Syracuse Winter Fair. The clothing brand makes pieces inspired by the Haudenosaunee with traditional beadwork practices.

Husni Ibrahim, a kid who attended with his dad and sister, couldn’t pick a favorite ride — all of them were “awesome.” Though, he did decide that one of his favorite things about the fair were the sweet treats.

Scarlett Sen and her cousin Talya Talay walked around the fair and went on the Avengers ride – their favorite — while Sen’s dad worked his Chocolate Treat stand. Chocolate Treat sells chocolate covered waffles and chocolate fondue at the fair.

Sen and Talay are Syracuse locals and go to the fair every year. Sen said it’s a great way to meet people in the area, and the fun activities draw people in and bring a sense of community, Talay said.

The festivities the crowds sought out continued into Saturday. After performances lined up throughout the day, Atlas was last to take the stage. Despite being the final group, the crowd didn’t dwindle as the night went on.

The diversity of age groups reflected the fair’s ability to cater to many audiences. While college students, high schoolers, families and grandparents traversed the fair and its offerings, Becker acknowledged there is nothing quite like it.

“No one is doing what we are doing at this time of year,” Becker said. “People from all over the state and out of state can come and enjoy.”

Published on February 6, 2025 at 12:31 am

Contact Irene: iclekaki@syr.edu