State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today announced the following events running from Thursday, September 26 to Sunday, September 29 at the New York State Fairgrounds:

There will be fear at the Fair starting this weekend, as Fright Nights at the Fair return for another year of scaring people out of their wits.  The chills, thrills, and screams begin Friday and run for five weekends in the Beef Barn at the New York State Fairgrounds.  Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. 

Two attractions are new this year – a Clown Prison full of sad and terrifying convicts, and The Crypt.  The Haunted Hayride has been upgraded to a 3-D experience.  Returning are three attractions – The Dungeon of Doom, the Hostel, and Haunted the Mansion.  In addition, there are non-scary carnival rides for young children.  Food and drink vending will be available.

The organizers do not recommend the thrill attractions for children younger than age 9 and advise that parents should use their discretion.

Ticket prices are $10 for a single attraction, $15 for the 3-D Haunted Hayride, and $20 for all attractions and the hayride.

Fright Nights at the Fair are just one of several reasons to spend time at the Fairgrounds this weekend.  The 5^th annual Anime Syracuse Convention takes place Saturday and Sunday in the Art & Home Center.  The convention is a festival for fans of anime, the Japanese style of colorful animations featuring storylines rich in fantasy.  Admission to Saturday’s event is $35, while admission to Sunday’s event is $20. 

Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the show. The convention features panels to discuss types of anime and favorite characters or series, vendors selling related items, card and computer gaming events tied to anime, screenings of many anime shows and films, and an anime art show.

A featured event involves a luncheon headlined by three major voice actors in the anime community – Cherami Leigh, who has voiced many anime characters in animations and games and was featured as Ginnie Warwick on NBC’s Friday Night Lights, Bryan Massey, who appeared in Oliver Stone’s film “W”, and Alexis Tilton, who has appeared in more than 40 anime projects.

Also this weekend, the New York India Festival takes place on Saturday in the Horticulture Building from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Admission is $5 though children under age 5 can attend for free.

The festival features the best of Indian culture, music, and food.  A cultural program includes talks on feminism in India, Bollywood films, and other topics, as well as free classes on Indian music, yoga, and dance.  Vendors will sell Indian clothing and jewelry, provide henna tattoos and face painting, and offer Indian-styled beauty shops.  The day concludes with a concert from the Syracuse-based band Yaatra and a Bollywood Dance Party. 

The Syracuse Woman Magazine Total Woman Expo aims to connect women to what matters most.  Taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Center of Progress Building, the event provides access to more than 100 vendors offering products and services for the home, family, health, safety, beauty, nutrition, careers, child care, and more.  Admission is $7, with children under 12 being admitted for free.  Organizers will donate $1 from every admission purchase to Vera House. 

The Autumn in New York Horse Show runs from Thursday to Sunday in the Toyota Coliseum.  The show brings owners, riders, and their favorite hunters and jumpers for four days of competitions.  Events begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and 7:30 a.m. all other days.  There is no admission charge.

The Jack Frost Fall Classic Empire State Meat Goat Show, taking place Saturday and Sunday in the Goat, Llama, and Swine Barn, showcases the best Boer goats in a variety of classes.  Events begin at 8 a.m. each day and admission is free.

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 21 – September 1, 2014.  The Fair’s mission is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.

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

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

 [Editors:  Links to the events mentioned above can be found here:

• Fright Nights at the Fair:  http://frightnightsatthefair.com/index.htm
• Anime Syracuse Convention:  http://convention.animesyracuse.com/
• NY India Festival:  http://nyindiafestival.wix.com/nyindiafestival
• Syracuse Woman Magazine Total Woman Expo:  http://www.cnytotalwomanexpo.com
• Autumn in NY Horse Show:  http://www.naomishorseshows.com/home.cfm
• NYS Jack Frost Fall Classic Empire State Meat Goat Show:  http://www.esmgpa.org
• All New York State Fairgrounds events:  http://www.nysfair.org/events?limit=-1 ]