Scores of racers and up to 100,000 of their fans take over the track at the New York State Fairgrounds beginning Wednesday, October 9 as the NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week returns for its 42^nd edition.  Racers from all over the northeast and eastern Canada will bring their DIRT-sanctioned cars to the Fairgrounds in search of a title in one of many categories of racing.

Races begin Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. with the SUNY Canton Hurricane 100.  There are practice runs and time trials throughout the week, and races culminate in the 200 mile Syracuse 200 for big-block modifieds at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets, pit passes, and camping access are available at a wide range of prices.  Visit http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=79 for information or to make purchases.  More information is available at the event’s website, http://www.superdirtweekonline.com/.

Fans of sports memorabilia can get an early jump on their holiday shopping at Collectorsfest Sunday, October 13 in the Center of Progress Building.  The event typically features up to 150 vendors who show and sell all kinds of sporting memorabilia, as well as toys, Beanie Babies, and more.  Organizers bill this as the largest one-day sale of its kind in New York State.  Admission is $4, with children under 10 admitted free.  More information is available at the event promoter’s website, http://www.cnypromotions.com.

Two events return to the Fairgrounds this weekend.  Fright Nights at the Fair continue in the Beef Barn.  Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.  Fright Nights features six scary attractions, as well as non-scary carnival rides for young children, and food and drink vending. 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.  More information:  http://frightnightsatthefair.com/.

The comic musical “The Drowsy Chaperone” returns to the Empire Theater for the seconds of its three weekends.  The TheaterFirst Productions show centers on a man whose favorite old musical comes to life when he plays the rare recording of the obscure show.  The original production won five Tony awards in 2006. The musical runs for three weekends, through October 20.  Performances are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.  Tickets are $30, with $28 tickets for senior citizens.  They are available by calling 703-3333.  More information:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theaterfirst-Productions/1414258155455232.

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.

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