The recently released New York State Fair Visitors Guide promises a new and unusual use of a famous Fair locale. The new exhibit being called History Underwater: Shipwrecks of the “Great” Great Lakes will incorporate into its presentation the reflecting pool in front of the Horticulture Building (so beautifully captured here by photographer Jude Nagurney Camwell).

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An unmanned vehicle will be guided along the bottom of the pool and a remote sensing buoy will provide real-time weather conditions. It’s all part of what promises to be a spectacular exhibit which will also include a replica of an 18th century ship.

We’ve long advocated for demolition of the pool in favor of more space in the state parks area, perhaps replaced by a smaller but more inspiring fountain, one with less water but more splash. But this year, the Fair has found a way to use it creatively and it should be fascinating to see.