Popular pizza brand to take over iconic vacated Gianelli/Dinosaur spot at State Fairgrounds

STATE FAIRGROUNDS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — After sitting unused for the last three New York State Fairs, the iconic Chevy Court corner that was the longtime home of Gianelli Sausage and Dinosaur Bar-Be-Que will host a new vendor.

“I think we’re going to have to stop calling it the old Dino spot ’cause we’re going to have to start calling it the Toss & Fire spot now,” said newly-appointed State Fair Director Julie LaFave in an interview on NewsChannel 9’s Newsmakers.

Toss & Fire Wood-Fired Pizza will move to the spot as the first new vendor there in decades.

In 2021, the only year the Fair ran for 18 days, NewsChannel 9 was first to report that Gianelli Sausage and Dinosaur Bar-Be-Que would not return to the Fair. At the time, the decision was said to be permanent.

In the years since the concrete pad across the street from the southeast entrance to the Dairy Products Building has been notably empty.

“We’ve decided this is the year it’s no longer vacant,” LaFave said, “and we put it out as an application process. We put out criteria.”

“Toss & Fire was given that spot and we’re really excited for them,” she said.

The 2024 Fair runs Wednesday, August 21, through Monday, September 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.