Back in August 2015, State Fair Hound howled at a comment from one clueless guy on syracuse.com who said he couldn’t find much to do at the New York State Fair. He said that after a couple of hours of eating, walking around the midway and touring some buildings, he was ready to go home. The Hound offered a response, still relevant and updated below. 
First, if you’re wandering around until something catches your eye, you’re less likely to have a good time. Before heading over, ask yourself, “What’s at the Fair that would make my day enjoyable?” Plan your visit with that in mind and you’re much more likely to great day on the grounds.
You name it, it’s at our Fair. There’s music, fine art, gardening, nature, livestock, cars, farming, antiques, cooking, wild animals, theater, trains, wine and beer, sports, science and medicine, a circus, Native American history and dance, African culture, crafts, hunting and fishing, food, food and more food from some of Central New York’s finest restaurants serving perennial culinary treats and exotic concoctions.
Not enough? Strolling acts like Hilby, Bandaloni and the Living Statues are hard to find anywhere else. The nearly-unique 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, the FFA Exhibits Building and the animal barns. Hop on a tram and relax while enjoying a 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.
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