We just got a press release announcing the opening of Fair advance ticket sales and trumpeting a new Labor Day promotion. In the latest innovation recently instituted, everyone attending on Labor Day–this year that’s Sep. 1—can pass through any gate for a single dollar and can pay just a buck to fly away on any of the Wade Show thrill rides.
We don’t remember any previous New York State Fair generating as much off-season buzz as number 168, which opens Aug. 21. The anticipation and excitement levels for this year have risen exponentially, which some may find surprising in the wake of the April 14 announcement that the search for a new director has been suspended. The Hound, however, is not surprised in the least because we have had the pleasure of working with the acting director, Troy Waffner, for several years.
As we suggested in our Oct. 5 post entitled Help Wanted, Waffner merits consideration for appointment as the permanent director and we’re hoping that this year will be an audition to give him the opportunity to prove himself in the top spot after serving as assistant director since 2010.
When it comes to our favorite event, you never know when to credit or blame the director for what happens out there since there’s a whole bureaucracy that is involved, including the commissioner of agriculture and markets all the way up to the governor. But the developments already announced for the 2014 Fair have been really exciting. We’ll be exploring them more in the coming weeks as opening day approaches.
The above-mentioned Dollar Day specials promise to turn Labor Day, usually moderately attended, into a big day on the grounds. It’s wise to view attendance from the perspective of Fair vendors and business. If you’re doing boffo business selling to the public, you don’t care how they got there or how much they paid to attend, you’re just happy to have those customers. And as a rule, profitable vendors makes for a successful Fair, one that builds strength for coming years.
If 2014 lives up to its promises, you’d have to consider making your acting director your permanent director. Good luck, Troy.
Photo by Herm Card.
Leave a Reply