State Fair Hound

An independent view of the New York State Fair

Month: September 2018 (Page 2 of 2)

So Long For Now

By

On September 3, 2018

In Fair memories

It’s time to wave goodbye to the 2018 New York State Fair. PARADE PRINCESS 17What a dazzling show it was. It’s really a miracle to see that massive event come together to thrill us for 13 days. Kudos to the staff that pulls it off, year after year.

It was another landmark year, with a little of everything in terms of weather and many attendance records–including the single day mark–falling.

The debut of the 110,000 square-foot Exposition Center marks a new era for the Fair as that stunning addition completes development of the western end of the grounds, at least for now. There’s still room for more changes and nearly a year to make them.

Enjoy the memories while we start to look ahead to making more.

 

Cheap Skate

By

On September 3, 2018

In New favorites

For the first time at the New York State Fair, patrons enjoyed ice skating. In an interview on Channel 9, Director (take that, Cuomo) Troy Waffner clarified that the rink in the new Exposition Center is temporary and the Fair braintrust is hard at work coming up with ideas for a different use for the massive building next year. In the meantime, the center will host large events during the off-season.

For the first time at the New York State Fair, patrons enjoyed ice skating this year. In an interview on Channel 9, Director (take that, Cuomo) Troy Waffner clarified that the rink in the new Exposition Center is temporary and the Fair braintrust is hard at work coming up with ideas for a different use of the massive building next year. In the meantime, the center will host large events during the off-season.

Fiery Finale

By

On September 3, 2018

In Fair memories

Monday night the New York State Fair closes with one of its best moments, the now-traditional closing fireworks display. They will be visible above the main gate shortly after the closing Chevy Court concert.

FIREWORKS 3 17If last year’s display–here beautifully captured in a multi-exposure by State Fair Hound photographer Nick LoPresti–is any indication, it’s worth the effort to get a good spot to watch. Don’t bother trying to get a shot of your own with your cellphone. It won’t work, but we’ll ask Nick to take a few more to share with Hound readers.

It’s a fitting way to bring another great Fair to a close. Watch State Fair Hound for review and commentary in coming days.

Kiss The Cook

By

On September 2, 2018

In Blue ribbon exhibits

When your trek around the New York State Fair leaves you needing a break, take a comfortable seat in the air-conditioned demonstration kitchen on the lower level of the Art and Home Center. CHEF 17Various local chefs–some of them celebrities–take a turn behind the counter in a state-of-the-art kitchen, offering culinary tips, recipes and entertainment. Maybe you can get ideas to improve your own cooking skills while getting off your feet for a while.

If you’re lucky, handouts and samples may be on the menu for your visit. The full schedule of who’s cooking and what ‘s being prepared is generally posted outside the building entrance as well as on the Fair website.

Fruit of the Vine

By

On September 2, 2018

In Chowing down

Most adults who attend the New York State Fair are there primarily to seek out that fabulous Fair cuisine. SF2014NL2 083Many find that the fried, grilled and barbecued delights on the menu pair beautifully with wine produced in the Finger Lakes, on Long Island, in the Thousand Islands or really anywhere around the Empire State.

Several stands, both indoors and outdoors, offer at least a limited selection of vino on their menu boards. For the widest variety of reds, white and blends, you can’t beat the wine court that borders the colonnade.

Sitting at a picnic table, sipping a homegrown wine and listening to entertainment from Chevy Court or a local band playing a few feet away is a patented Fair experience. Cheers.

Cookie Monster

By

On September 1, 2018

In Chowing down

If there’s one culinary treat that’s been conspicuously missing from the New York State Fair’s menu, it’s freshly-baked cookies. That’s no longer the case due to this year’s arrival of Florida-based Grandma’s Cookies, a red-and-yellow trailer parked near the grassy picnic area at the edge of the midway.

ROXANNE 18Roxanne and Steve Van Horn are mixing and baking classic chocolate chip cookies on site and serving them warm and gooey to Fairgoers who value homemade quality in a Fair dessert. When a batch of these beauties comes out of the oven, you’ll forget all about the deep-fried junk food being sold all around you.

Roxanne, a retired nurse travels the circuit with husband Steve, serving hungry cookie lovers with down-home friendliness and freshness. Time is short, as the Fair wraps up on Monday, so maybe you should buy extra to take home.

Keepers

By

On September 1, 2018

In Around the grounds

You may spend most of your Fair cash on something tasty to eat on the grounds, but many vendors offer rarely-seen gift items you can take home as souvenirs of a wonderful day at the Fair. PAN AF STUFF 17The Iroquois Village is a treasure trove of handmade jewelry, leather goods and decorative items that represent the ancient Haudenosaunee culture.

The Pan African Village is another venue for great keepsakes, most with Caribbean or African styling. WESTERN WEAR 17Elsewhere you can find an enormous variety of great stuff from western wear to kitchen items and craft pieces, clothing, pet supplies and just about anything else you can name.

It’s never to early to start your holiday shopping, especially if you want to buy something you won’t see at the local mall.

Not Wild, But Wooly

By

On September 1, 2018

In Livestock news

While rows of beautifully-attired animals in the sheep barn represent a New York state farm industry, the little shack nearby demonstrates the next steps of the wool industry. There you can witness the just-sheared raw material being processed and spun into wool fabric, ready to be knitted and crocheted into sweaters, hats or blankets. SPINNER 17

Now, as Fair exhibits go, you could argue that this one is on he lower end of the excitement scale, but that just illustrates an important characteristic of the Fair–there really is something here for everybody. At the wool center, do-it-yourself crafters can get their fix, talking to the pros doing the handiwork and getting a close look at products and methods they may be able to duplicate at home.

And just as you can drink the milk produced in the dairy cattle barn and have an omelet at a stand near the poultry barn, feeling the soft, warm wool on exhibit completes another agricultural circle, all within the Empire State.

Remembering 1998

By

On September 1, 2018

In Fair memories

This Labor Day marks 20 years since the powerful and tragic wind storm that tore through the Fairgrounds in 1998, causing the death of two men on the grounds.

HALF MAST 18The resulting damage caused Director Pater Cappuccilli, Jr. to cancel the final day of the Fair. It has gone down in history as perhaps the worst day in State Fair history, certainly one that will be forever remembered by Fair fans.

State Fair Hound is hoping that the Fair will commemorate that day and the men who lost their lives with a moment of silence or words of remembrance.

Addendum: A moment of silence was held just before the National Anthem on Labor Day. Well done.

Last Tango

By

On September 1, 2018

In Hound's view

With Labor Day looming, Central New York grapples with the traditional dilemma of how to really enjoy the holiday weekend while contemplating the grim reality that end of the summer season is just a couple of days away. NIGHT WHEEL 17The solution to this paradox is what it’s always been–head out to the New York State Fair, where its easy to forget the pending Tuesday hangover while reveling in the funnel cakes, gyrating rides, remarkable critters and blasting fireworks.

Once last party with dancing Iroquois, splashing sea lions and spicy sausage is just what the doctor ordered for those who are suffering from a September swoon.

Arrive early in anticipation of big crowds and make certain to hit all of your favorites. Summer doesn’t end around here until we wrap up those two glorious weeks of Empire State thrills.

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