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.

Yikes! There’s less than two months until the turnstiles start rotating for the 2014 New York State Fair. Time to get busy looking ahead—but first a final look back at last year.The Hound promised 10 things we liked about New York State Fair 2013 and we deliver.

The last three things we liked:

At number eight–The presence of farm animals goes back to the origins of the Fair. Initially, that’s what it was all about, farmers bringing their wares, including livestock, to town for judging and promotional purposes. So yeah, they’ve always been there, but the way in which they’re presented is changing, making for a better experience for Fair visitors.
The cow birthing center was a tremendous success in its first season and is being expanded for next year. Year two of the Agriculture Extravaganza brought into the Coliseum on Labor Day is also a rare treat. Suggestion—an exhibit explaining and promoting organic farming and making the case that farms that emphasize humane treatment of livestock make for better products would be a nice addition.

Our ninth thing we liked–The Midway Music Series has evolved into yet another spot with free entertainment and its popularity is growing as it presents niche acts. What a great idea to get some evening use out of the Talent Showcase stage, which had been idle after the daytime events wrapped up.

Number 10 is different for each fairgoer, but we think it’s a bonus to be able to renew acquaintances with people we see every August on the grounds, some true friends, others familiar faces that make the Fair feel like home to annual visitors. The Hound, for instance, likes to stop by the Pan African tent to get a warm Jamaican welcome from Irwin “Bongo” Hanslip. We also exchange gracious greetings with Nadir Hatem at King David’s. Regulars from ticket takers to product demonstrators, Iroquois exhibitors to performers and various crafters remind us of our long history as Fair maniacs and we love it.

Funny how it feels as if something is missing when one of those essential people isn’t there. Last year we missed Walt Thomas, the broom maker who had passed away after SF 2012 and vendor Bob Hamley who didn’t return after many years popping corn and peddling roses. This year, it will take some getting used to with the new midway company, but it sure will be interesting to see how the new vendor works out.