From what we’ve seen on the website, there won’t be a traveling show featuring performing dogs at this year’s New York State Fair as there has been in the past with such shows as Extreme Canines Triathlon and Mutts Gone Nuts. But that doesn’t mean there are no dogs to watch.

Two events that feature 4-H kids and their pooches showing their stuff in the ring are among our favorite underappreciated annual features.

The 4-H Youth Dog Obedience and Agility Competition takes place in the Coliseum on Wed., Sep. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Thurs., Sep 3, the 4-H Youth Rally Grooming and Handling Dog Show goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Youth Arena

These events are nothing like the snooty Kennel Club shows you see on television as they feature the youngsters with all shapes and sizes of canines, including mixed breeds, engaged in activities that many average dog owners practice every day. Some dog performances are impressive, some not so much. But they’re all adorable and a pleasure to watch.

The kids themselves are inspiring in their dedication and patience as well as their obvious love for their dogs. Spectators get a close-up look at the pooches as they come and go, and maybe even a chance to pet and pat. Of course if they want a real challenge, they should add cat training to the agenda.

The Walker International Circus also offers a chance to see some dogs, these of the performing variety, which is always better than seeing wild animals used in such a way. Unfortunately, the description says that Walker also has “dangerous” animals in their show.

In other dog-related news, a War Dog Memorial will be unveiled near the Veterans Memorial on Sep. 3 at 11 a.m.

There are now just two weeks to go before the opening of the 2015 New York State Fair and let’s hope that day is as picture-perfect as this one.

Speaking of pictures, State Fair Hound hopes that you’re planning to take some photos of your time at the Fair this year. Get your camera or phone camera charged up and ready to shoot the festivities and excitement on the grounds.

Some photographers enter their pics in the State Fair art competition which you can view in the Art and Home Center every day of the Fair. Others use theirs as a record of their family’s adventure, something the kids can review to spark some happy memories made on the rides and throughout the grounds.

Before pointing your camera at one of the Fair concert venues, be sure to check ahead on the rules at the site of the show. It’s not a problem at Chevy Court, but the Grandstand and the new Lakefront Amphitheater will have to comply with guidelines set by the performers.

State Fair Hound is planning to greatly expand our photo file and will be sharing many of those new looks with our readers. We appreciate the advice and guidance of our friends at Ra-Lin for helping prepare us for this project. Mention State Fair Hound when you shop at Ra-Lin. You won’t get anything free, but they’ll treat you great, as they do every customer. Pardon the free plug.

Start your two-week countdown by enjoying these unusual photos from last year.

The announcement Tuesday that Meghan Trainor and her two opening acts had to cancel their appearances Sep. 3 at Chevy Court muddles an already bizarre scenario for that date. Not only is that one of the five nights with an event scheduled in the Grandstand–in this case Patti LaBelle–it’s also the date that our bumbling County Executive booked the debut concert in the new toxic-wastebed- adjacent amphitheater, featuring Miranda Lambert.

Now Fair officials have to shake off the disappointment of losing an act that was likely to draw one of the court’s biggest numbers this year to find two more acts. Having no show at Chevy Court is not a reasonable option and from Acting Director Troy Waffner’s statement, not the plan. The Hound barks its approval of that. Chevy Court is a major event every day, often boosting attendance and vendor traffic. Among all of the free-with-admission events, the big stage tops the list.

Keep in mind that they probably don’t want performers who will clash with the Lambert crowd. The limited timeframe is therefore complicated by the need to avoid booking someone who plays modern pop-country.

That has to be causing some headaches in Geddes, adding to the task of firming up parking and shuttle plans to accommodate two crowds in two areas, including those who want to visit both the Fair and the amphitheater in the same day.

It’ll be tough to book someone memorable last minute—and that’s what this is—but not having a Trainor-sized crowd may ease congestion a bit that night. It may even be smart to book a more popular act in the afternoon, accepting a less frenzied audience for the 8 p.m. slot to balance the mass influx of cars expected to arrive simultaneously for the Grandstand and the amphitheater.

It may seem obvious, but State Fair Hound will offer this advice anyway. If you want to attend the New York State Fair on Sep. 3, but aren’t going to an evening performance at any of the three venues, go early in the day, have a great time and avoid the late rush. Of course, we first have to see who is playing at Chevy Court. This should be interesting.

The New York State Fair website just published the daily schedules of Fair events and activities, one of the final indicators of how close we are to opening day. These schedules, while they don’t list everything happening on the grounds, are a valuable tool for planning your day at the Fair so you don’t miss your favorite sideshow, livestock event, demonstration or performance.

Just scrolling through the listings for day one, Aug. 27, you have to be impressed with the variety of entertainment, including some gems that haven’t received a great deal of publicity. A wide variety of dance performances, from line dancing to clogging to traditional Iroquois dances, animal attractions featuring everything from rabbit jumping to a llama halter show, food-related events including cake creation, butter making and wine and cheese seminars, gymnastics, soap making, several different horticultural demos, a basketball show team and a reptile rescue presentation are all listed. Then there’s musical acts, way too many to mention.

State Fair Hound knows that most fans walk through the gates knowing at least some of the acts they want to see, and that’s where these lists come in handy. Check them out on nysfair.org.