Good News York – Episode 157 | Brian Badger from Cavalcade of Cars Syracuse
In this episode, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Brian Badger — Operations Manager for Syracuse Nationals, LLC — to talk about one of Central New York’s most exciting car culture events: the Cavalcade of Cars, Syracuse Edition.
Brian shares the full story behind how Syracuse Nationals acquired the Cavalcade of Cars in 2025 and what it took to bring the event to its current home at the New York State Fairgrounds Expo Building. With 110,000 square feet of space, over 200 vehicles on display — including customs, classics, Jeeps, trucks, bikes, and motorcycles — and a lineup packed with live music, a pinup contest, a charity pinstriping auction, food vendors, and activities for kids, the Cavalcade of Cars is shaping up to be one of the best weekends of the spring season.
Brian explains how lessons from year one — navigating unpredictable March weather and limited space in the Center of Progress building — led to a smarter, bigger, and better event in 2026. With April dates locked in and registration already sold out, the Expo Building is nearly maxed out with exhibitors, sponsors, and vendors. He talks about the importance of relationships in the car show world, the operational improvements made year over year, and what it means for the community to have a family-friendly, affordable event that kicks off car season in CNY.
We also dive into car culture itself — why upstate New York has such a passionate automotive community, how car shows create lifelong memories for kids, and what separates a truly special show car from one that just rolled off a dealership lot.
If you’ve never been to the Cavalcade of Cars — or the Syracuse Nationals — Brian makes a strong case for why you should be there. Kids 12 and under are free, presale tickets are just $10, and a full day of live music, cars, and community costs less than almost anything else you can do with your family on a Saturday.
Cavalcade of Cars CNY — April 18th & 19th, New York State Fairgrounds Expo Building.
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tickets & info: www.cavalcadeofcarscny.com
This episode is brought to you by Ads on the Go — helping businesses reach their audience with smart, effective mobile advertising solutions. Learn more at www.getadsonthego.com.
For more great stories from Central New York, visit us at www.goodnewsyork.com.
Video production by ClickStream Studios — www.ClickStreamStudios.com.
Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome & Introduction
0:20 – Brian Badger Introduces Himself
0:54 – What Is the Cavalcade of Cars?
1:35 – Moving to the Expo Building & Growing the Event
5:53 – Weekend Schedule: Live Music, Vendors & More
7:54 – The Pinup Contest Explained
9:01 – Charity Pinstriping Auction
10:11 – Why Car Culture Matters in CNY
13:53 – Hot Takes: Ford vs. Chevy, Overrated Cars & Personal Favorites
18:24 – Why You Should Come to the Cavalcade of Cars
