Every so often, State Fair Hound switches to a wide-angle lens to remind readers how much there is within the border of the New York State Fair. Each year brings some changes for better or worse, but it’s always an astounding and mind-blowing event.
Regular readers know very well that The Hound is a big believer in planning for your day at the Fair. 
If you put a focus on activities you enjoy most, you’re much more likely to great day on the grounds. It’s not a bad idea to unfold your Fair map and choose a route, at least informally, so you can save steps and energy while making sure you take in all of your favorites.
The big picture is dazzling, for sure. Our Fair has just about anything you can call entertainment. When you start making a list–as we did–it’s hard to stop. There’s music, fine art, gardening, nature, livestock, cars, farming, antiques, cooking, Native American history and dance, wild animals, theater, trains, wine and beer, sports, science and medicine, a circus, African, Latino and Asian cultural events, crafts, hunting and fishing. Surrounding it all is unbelievable food, food and more food from some of Central New York’s finest restaurants serving perennial culinary favorites and wildly exotic concoctions. 
Not enough? Strolling acts like Hilby, Bandaloni and the Strolling Piano are hard to find anywhere else. The famous butter sculpture and the amazing sand sculpture are great fun. Free samples and prize drawings abound. And you already know about the midway, a world of entertainment in itself.
If you enjoy taking photos, you can spend the entire 13 days snapping pictures without repeating one. There’s no shortage of shopping, including many unusual items and those crazy things hyped on television infomercials. Even the sales pitches are entertaining.
Focus on the achievements and ideas of young New Yorkers in the Youth Building, the Talent Showcase, FFA exhibits and the animal barns. Hop on a tram and relax while enjoying a free tour of the grounds or view it all from above on the Broadway SkyLiner.
Do you have questions or need information about state government services? Many are here. You can pay your respects to veterans and remember 9-11 victims, attend worship services, register to vote, sign up to be an organ donor, play the State Lottery, investigate educational or professional opportunities or plan your next vacation.
There are many patrons who love to just sit with a meal or a drink and watch people pass by. Pull up a picnic table and take it all in. There are food stands that have a neighborhood tavern or sports bar atmosphere, complete with televised games. The whole show ends with dazzling fireworks.
No event, not even the Great New York State Fair, is for everybody. But if you don’t enjoy it, it’s not because there’s not enough there. For more on the wealth of entertainment at the Fair, scroll through the posts here on statefairhound.com and review the Fair’s website, www.nysfair.ny.gov.
If you can’t find something you enjoy, check your pulse.
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