Gallery of stars

The New York State Fair history exhibit in the Grange Building is this year’s best new addition, sure to spark a ton of great memories for Fair fans. The Fair went first class in building an entire new gallery with an entrance modeled after the old carriage main gate. Right at the entrance is a scale model of entire Fairgrounds

Inside, an illustrated timeline of major events in Fair history includes the 1998 Opening of the Pan African Village, 1999 Veterans’ Memorial built, the first one million attendance year in 2001, and the 2002 dedication of the 9-11 Memorial, though there was no mention that Peter Cappuccilli, Jr. was director for all of those milestones. We’re confident that Cappuccilli’s legacy will remember him as one of the great directors, despite efforts by the overzealous Andrew Cuomo and a short-sighted local press to portray him negatively.

A map and text run through the history of locations where the Fair has been staged, and a unnecessarily large graph documenting attendance growth don’t generate much excitement, but they’re only the beginning.
The Sports at the Fair wall illustrates harness racing from 1901, auto racing and an air show from the 20s, a 1970s demolition derby and stock car races, once one of the Fair’s leading traditions. A tractor pull, rodeo, boxing and the 2010 outdoor hockey game are also memorialized.

The gallery of entertainer photos is a dynamic trip down memory lane, with photos of such Fair stars as Sonny and Cher, Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears, Charley Pride, Johnny Cash, Rod Stewart, Donny and Marie, Bill Cosby, Whitney Houston, the Judds, Reba McEntire, Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys, Charley Daniels and Bon Jovi—not from this year, obviously. There’s even a shot of Buckethead from the Midway Music Series.

There are also tributes to agricultural events, 4-H, the State Police and a colorful wall and video screen dedicated to the Iroquois village, unfortunately referred to as the “Indian Village.” The 10-piece butter sculpture models, James E. Strates Shows posters lead into such memorabilia treasures as trains and carnival models, ribbons, trophies and midway gems. An 18-minute video from 1969 shows Anita Bryant performing and the famous jet-pack stunt man flying over the gate.

See if you can spot the mistake, an historical inaccuracy on the wall with photos of famous political figures from Teddy Roosevelt to the Clintons. That may be the only error in a dazzling display. There may be room for improvement and expansion, but it’s a smashing debut to what should become one of those beloved every- year, must-see fan favorites.
Photos by Nick LoPresti