Today is the second Labor Day to feature the agricultural Extravaganza in the Coliseum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It was one of the best additions last year as visitors get an intimate encounter with some gorgeous farm animals along with painless education on the agriculture business. The farmers on hand are welcoming and friendly.

While a hurdling bunny was delightful last year, the historic building has plenty of great critters, like these piglets shown below in photo from the archives of Jude Camwell.

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After attending, parents may have to deal with children who wonder why we kill and eat these delightful creatures. If you look at how factory-farmed animals are treated, we all should be asking some questions.

Answer to day 11 question: Craftsman Nick Nichols shows off his antique tools every day of the Fair on the lawn of the Agricultural Museum.

Day 12 question: Did you spot the error (mentioned in our Aug. 27 post, Gallery of Stars) in the newly-opened New York State Fair history exhibit in the Grange building?

Hint: It’s in a caption under a photo of a subject who held two of our federal government’s most important posts.

The situation with new director of the New York State Fair, Thomas Ryan, is puzzling. The guy gets appointed with no Fair experience, a complete stranger to local folks and the Fair community. Cuomo even gives him a guide dog by naming former director Tom Young to assist him.

Then he proves to be a virtual recluse. When’s that last time the Fair played out for the entire 12-day run without the director even being seen in public? Think back to how much good will was generated by Wayne Gallagher and Peter Cappuccilli Jr., each playing the part of public relations director and the face of the Fair, smiling on all the local television news shows, doing newspaper interviews and personal appearances and just by being visible on the grounds during the Fair.

Was Ryan even on hand when Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor What’s-His-Name visited? We didn’t see him in the photos. Is he locked in his office or what? In one extremely rare public statement, he said he’s working behind the scenes to improve the Fair. That’s fine, but it’s only half the job.

Ironically, it was Andy’s father, former governor Mario Cuomo, who gave us the amazing Gallagher, who helped train the always-personable Cappuccilli. Arrogant Andy may just be asserting his megalomania by playing puppet master over the Fair. Every public statement about the Fair comes from Cuomo or his Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, Darrel Aubertine.

If the Gov didn’t have enough confidence in this guy to let him off the leash, why did he hire him? As disturbing as this development is, try out this rumor. There’s speculation out there, not confirmed by any reliable source, that Cuomo is planning to privatize the Fair. Let’s put the brakes on that incredibly bad idea before it even starts. And in the meantime, let’s get a real director. The people of New York deserve one.

Answer to day 10 question: The New York State Lottery now occupies a building that was previously the home of the Paisano’s restaurant.

Day 11 question: Where can you be entertained and enlightened by antique tool collector Nick Nichols, pictured here in a photo by Nick LoPresti?

Answer to day nine question: The Iroquois longhouse, a replica of the home for which the Haudenosaunee (people of the longhouse) were named, was built in 2000 and rebuilt in 2011. (Photos by Nick LoPresti and Jude Camwell.)

Day 10 question: The building currently occupied by the New York State Lottery was for many years what restaurant?

Many Fair patrons still mourn the loss of the New York State Wine Village, banished from the colonnade area in 2007 by the O’Hara administration. It was a special place with an atmosphere that can’t be duplicated by setting winery stands up in a tent as is the case currently.

O’Hara talked about the crowds and congestion in the area, but oenophiles never bought into the move, especially because it was done without taking into account opinions outside of the administration. Could the Wine village be returned? We don’t really know. There’s not much happening in that area this year aside from a SUNY tent that seems out of place. As you can see, there’s no congestion, that’s for sure.

Fair visitors who tour the agricultural museum will see a framed photo of broom maker Walt Thomas in the corner where he had spent 12 days a year working at his craft. Thomas, a retired dairy farmer from Baldwinsville, died in May, leaving a void that will linger with those who enjoyed his presence at every Fair. He had been a Fair character for over 30 years, sharing his knowledge and charm as he bound sorghum bristles onto handles to make “corn” brooms, patiently answering questions and making visitors feel welcome. The ag museum remains a special part of the Fair, but its warmth has been diminished a little with the loss of Walt Thomas, a true Fair original and a real gentleman.

Answer to day eight question: One-man band Bandaloni is the entertainer pictured.

Day nine question: What historical structure was erected in the Iroquois Village in 2000 and re-built in 2011 after having collapsed in stormy weather?

Answer to day seven question: The Center of Progress is the oldest major building on the grounds. It was completed in 1908, one year before the Dairy Products and Science and Industry buildings.

Day eight question: Name the strolling entertainer pictured here in a Herm Card Photo.

With six days completed and six to go at the 2013 New York State Fair, there’s plenty of time to see and do more and winged creatures offer several highlights.

Hawk Creek Wildlife Center is back with its impressive bird of prey near the reflecting pool. Try to catch one of the presentations in the yard next to the tent for an enlightening and entertaining few minutes. Just walking up to get some face time with the eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and owls is a special experience.

If you prefer smaller birds, the parakeets and lorikeets fluttering around behind the Horticulture Building make for a very lively tent. Inside the Hort, butterflies flit inside the tent near the main entrance, often landing on excited visitors.

The poultry building is the noisiest barn on the grounds and very likely the smelliest, but if you like chickens and such, don’t miss it. For a less overwhelming experience with barnyard fowl, trek to the western end of the Youth Building, where you can savor a few moments holding baby chicks, one of the Fair’s underrated annual favorites. (Photo by Nick LoPresti)