Labor Day isn’t always welcome in our neighborhood, especially by kids facing another school year and adults watching leaves drained of their green, signaling the end of our all-too-brief summer season.

But most years–really every year before this one–there’s been the final day of the New York State Fair to see vacation season out with a bang–one last glorious day that has come to define the local summer-to-fall transition.

This year Labor Day is mostly just another unsatisfying late summer day. All we can do is longingly look forward to next year for the return of concerts, picnics, swimming, baseball, festivals and most of all the New York State Fair.

With any luck, there will be a few events at the Fairgrounds during the off-season to allow us a visit to our town’s premiere playground. If you drive in for a horse show, an antique event, a livestock competition or a holiday sale, take the opportunity to cruise around the grounds to see what changes have been made in preparation for State Fair 2021.

State Fair Hound will be keeping on top of Fair plans and updates, so watch for occasional news.

It’s been a painful summer, but it’s time to look forward. Mark August 20, 2021 on your calendar–that’s opening day of the 174th New York State Fair.