August | 2018 | State Fair Hound

Sunrise Serenade

On August 25, 2018

There are several good reasons to start your day early–say before 9 a.m.–when attending the New York State Fair, especially on weekends when crowds are often largest. The “beat the rush” strategy is the most popular, no doubt. Get into the parking lots, usually with a space closer to the gates, before a quick walk through security and onto the grounds. Good deal.

The major buildings don’t open until 10 a.m. and many of the other exhibits and attractions aren’t operating yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. For starters (pun intended), you can get a tasty breakfast at many locations on the grounds. The Iroquois Cookhouse and the Grange Ox Roast stand are two winners, but by no means the only spots serving. Even some of the sausage stands start by frying bacon and Bosco’s has freshly-fried doughnuts.

There’s much to see near the barns as the animals awake early and their handlers get a pre-dawn start on feeding, bathing, grooming and cleaning.

This year, unfortunately, there will be five days when you’ll have to arrive by midafternoon to avoid the additional traffic and parking complications expected when fans start arriving to attend a concert at the amphitheater. So attending before Noon is the best plan.

It’s entertaining to see midway workers, concessionaires and animal exhibitors get an early start on a busy day. Popular spots such as the Iroquois Village and the reflecting pool are peaceful and more relaxing than at prime time. If you’re already on the grounds at 10 a.m., you can get a head start on entering the buildings and having a memorable day at the New York State Fair, so make it an early day.

Avenue of Dreams

By State Fair Hound

On August 24, 2018

In Around the grounds

For many years one of the most familiar locales at the New York State Fair was known as Times Square. It was a famed crossroads that morphed from a spot marked by such popular food stands as Xristou’s, the Villa and Paisano’s to become known for a prominent, but underutilized clock tower and the Lottery building.

A couple of years ago, a massive renovation of the area completely reformed that section of the Fair and the updated Times Square is now best known as the gateway to a Fair-famous stretch named for another New York City venue–Broadway.

The busy boulevard, lined with many of the popular businesses that were relocated in the remodel, runs the length of the grounds, from the Milk Bar to the new event center, parallel to the Skyliner. It now hosts the Fair parades and provides access to the midway, many barns and other destinations.

It stands as a symbol of the new-look Fair and a reminder of how massive the grounds are, especially for those walking the entire east-west length. You can take the Skyliner, but if you decide to hike it, there are plenty of benches and tables to use as rest spots along the way.

Fair-tography Lesson

By State Fair Hound

On August 24, 2018

In Insider tips

For photography buffs, the New York State Fair is a kaleidoscope of colorful subjects and exciting action. Of course, many Fair visitors carry a camera, if only a cell phone with photo capability. But getting the most out of your pictures, whether it’s the kids on a ride, an adorable animal or a memorable performance isn’t as simple as point and click.

State Fair Hound is here to help with these hints and tips from Hound photo editor Nick LoPresti:

When shooting a concert with a black backdrop, even point-and-shoot cameras will allow you to manually adjust your exposure to achieve proper lighting of the musicians.

When shooting a concert with a black backdrop, it is important to manually adjust your exposure to achieve proper lighting of the musicians. You can do that even if you have a point-and-shoot camera.

To shoot fireworks you need a tripod because you will be using long exposure times, from five to 10 seconds, impossible to hand-hold without blurring. Manually pre-focus.

Here’s a long shot that could become a portrait as illustrated in the next photo, simply by zooming in or cropping and reframing.

This is an example of an action shot taken after Nick pre-focused manually. You may have to try several times to get the proper timing.

Main Gate Hate

By State Fair Hound

On August 24, 2018

In Hound's view

Friday is Pride Day at the new York State Fair, so you may hear loud and obnoxious hate speech as one local moron exercises his right to free speech near the main gate.

Just a reminder–a wise person once said that the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference. With that in mind, give this dimwit the deaf ear he richly deserves.

Accordingly, State Fair Hound won’t be publishing a photo of the jerk, but for some reason, this one seems appropriate.

Bridle Shopping

By State Fair Hound

On August 24, 2018

In Livestock news

As you traverse the New York State Fair, you will likely see some horses. There are State Police officers on horseback, handlers washing, grooming or leading horses and, of course, horses being ridden or shown in the Coliseum and 4-H rings.

But for the past few years, visitors were often banned from entering the horse barn, mainly for safety reasons, leaving enthusiasts looking for a chance to get close enough to pat a Morgan, appaloosa or Clydesdale frustrated. The remedy had been a visit to the World of Horses, a favorite exhibit of State Fair Hound. But this year the Fair’s center for good equine public relations will not return as part of the livestock community.

Horse lovers will no doubt miss the tent’s friendly equines and informative, approachable staff. However, Acting Director Troy Waffner told State Fair hound that this year visitors will be welcomed into the main horse barn at scheduled times. The venue will be less cozy, but it will include far more horses of many different breeds.

Check the schedule for open times and make a visit to take some photos and maybe pat a horse or two. The 4-H rings and barns, located at the western end of the grounds, and the exercise ring next to the Coliseum also have plenty of horses around, sometimes including the adorable minis.

Poncho Village

By State Fair Hound

On August 23, 2018

In Insider tips

It seems that into each New York State Fair some rain must fall. But when it does, there’s no reason to stay home. There’s so much indoors to enjoy and with some foresight, a wet day can still be a great one on the Fairgrounds.

OK, so you may not be able to ride your favorite midway contraption and some of the outdoor shows will be cancelled, but you’ll have the advantage of encountering fewer people crowding the grounds, shorter lines and less competition for many attractions.

Regular State Fair Hound readers know that the number one rainy-day tip offered here is waterproof shoes. Infrastructure improvements over the past few years have reduced flooding along walkways, but there’s no avoiding some puddles and soft spots on unpaved ground.

Add an umbrella or better yet a waterproof jacket or poncho, and you can cover a lot of ground without much problem.

Oddly enough, many of these same indoor-exhibit strategies can work to get you inside and cooled off on sunny, humid days. Most major buildings are air conditioned and there’s good airflow through the barns. Remember–Much of the Fair is indoors where it’s always dry.

Chev Roulette

By State Fair Hound

On August 23, 2018

In Concert critiques

With one day of concerts in the books, the Chevrolet Court concert series at the 2018 New York State Fair is underway. Evaluation of the lineup is completely subjective, but it’s hard to view this one without tempering optimism with some doubt.

State Fair hound is not a fan of big, multinational companies booking acts for our Fair, especially if it’s the monopolistic Live Nation. For many years the Fair did its own booking. That’s a difficult, challenging process, but it produced better results, probably because acts were selected solely for their marketability to State Fair fans. The agency that booked acts before Live Nation–Triangle if memory serves–was also far better. Live Nation is too focused on its own corporate interest to focus on satisfying Fair fans.

Though there are some sure winners among the 26 acts on the bill, the continuing tendency to snub traditional-style country is disturbing and self-defeating. More on that in a later post. The final flurry of acts announced includes several local CNY bands, a real oddity on the Stan Colella Stage. They may be talented and popular, certainly cheaper, but they lack the draw of real Chevy Court acts. There are numerous stages around the grounds that regularly host local acts. Chevy Court, one of the Fair’s top drawing cards, shouldn’t be one of them.

Then there’s a tribute band, which is musicians you don’t know playing a famous act’s music. There was one Johnny Cash and he died in 2003.

One big positive is that this year’s lineup is unquestionably diverse, just as the state that hosts it. With 26 concerts in 13 days, there’s bound to be something for almost every fan.

It’s always interesting to see how things shake out when a court act draws an overflow crowd, which is challenging for fans and Fair organizers alike.

Andes Dandies

By State Fair Hound

On August 23, 2018

In Livestock news

The first 3 1/2 days of the New York State Fair feature an invasion of llamas in the goat and pig barn. Those quirky and versatile camel cousins stretch their considerable necks above the pens and take part in judging and special events as part one of the Fair’s favorite livestock exhibits.

Aug. 23 features showmanship and halter classes, while the popular obstacle course and costume events take place on Aug. 24.

Judging of the llamas, serious business for their owners, will crown best-in-show, grand, reserve and performance champions.

Highly-prized llama wool will be featured in displays and demonstrations in the Wool Center on Aug. 27.

Grange Rearranged

By State Fair Hound

On August 22, 2018

In Chowing down

Ox Roast fans needed to go down the block a few feet to find their favorite stand’s new location. Business was brisk as customers found the same value-driven menu that has made the Grange stand a Fair institution.

First Impressions

By State Fair Hound

On August 22, 2018

In New favorites

The 2018 New York State Fair opened under overcast skies Wednesday with unusually high expectations. As always, the well-prepared operation got an excitement boost as the first patrons surged through the gates and onto the vast landscape packed with perennial favorites and first-time surprises.

The sparkling new $62 million Exposition Center was the marquee attraction as the hulking exhibit hall changed the skyline, welcoming its first visitors. For year one, the Expo Center is dominated by an ice rink that is being used for various sports and the Fair’s first-ever wedding on ice.

The non-frozen areas of the massive EC feature two exhibits relocated from the Center of Progress Building, the sand sculpture, a longstanding perennial favorite, and the I Love New York tourism area which debuted in 2017 with photo backdrops of popular vacation spots around the state.

Just outside the Expo Center, the New York Experience grounds is ready for its breakout year with the picturesque pond surrounded by landscaping. The enlarged stage will host several national acts and the observation tower ride will give fair riders a birds-eye view of the whole area. Watch State Fair Hound over the new few days for more on what’s new this year and everything that’s happening at the Fair.

State Fair Hound

An independent view of the New York State Fair

Month: August 2018 (Page 3 of 5)

Sunrise Serenade

Avenue of Dreams

Fair-tography Lesson

Main Gate Hate

Bridle Shopping

Poncho Village

Chev Roulette

Andes Dandies

Grange Rearranged

First Impressions

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