The one factor that made the 2024 New York State Fair unusual is that it was, for the most part, the usual. When the most-hyped new features prior to the Fair are an act with guys scaling poles, a dimly-lit, quiet room and an artist drawing on the pavement, you have to expect low enthusiasm. There just wasn’t much buzz around opening day. The last-minute addition of a small stable of friendly and charismatic horses turned out to be the best of the newbies on the grounds.

That no doubt contributed to the below-average attendance, especially on some days. There were a couple of mostly rainy days and one very hot one, but you can’t blame weather for not-great total attendance numbers, which fell far short of last year despite a rally on the last two days.

There were some new food vendor offerings worth tasting–particularly exotic and delicious dishes in the nicely-expanded Asian Village and the surprisingly popular first-year trailer hawking grilled cheese sandwiches. And there were culinary disappointments, like really bad, over-priced Italian food in the Eatery. Of course, Fair visitors did what they always do–go back to Horan’s, Bosco’s P-Z-O’s, West End, Omanii’s, Butcher Boys, Basilo, Alivero’s, King David’s, the Shamrock, the Iroquois Souphouse and all of the other classic stands that have been satisfying their carnival food cravings for so many Fairs.

An unpredictable mixture of late-summer weather is never a surprise at the Fair, but this year’s rain emphasized the need for improvements in both the grounds and parking lots. While the brown lot quickly transformed from a dust-bowl to a swamp, lack of drainage made paved areas inside the gates into lakes, especially along restaurant row. Even when the rain wasn’t torrential, the result was problematic, so there’s certainly work to be done. When you’re charged 12 bucks to park, you deserve decent surface conditions.

Weather aside, the Fair was mostly problem-free, though traffic backed up disastrously on Aug. 24. Later that night, there was a knife fight near the Expo Center, the combatants reportedly importing a feud that started off-grounds. Anti-social media fueled rumors of violence the night of Sep.1, causing some tense moments and reminding us how much impact one or two morons can have these days.

When you have that many people over a 13-day stretch, there are always a few who can’t behave. Still, good will and harmony dominated, not getting as much attention but making for an overall positive atmosphere throughout the Fair’s run.

It’s certainly noteworthy that the culturally and socially-inclusive character of the State Fair seems to bring out the best in customers, vendors, exhibitors and employees. The Fair warmly embraces and celebrates diversity from the Haudenosaunee reservation to the Pan African, Latino and Asian villages. There were pride day, Labor Day and women’s day events, while throngs of seniors came out as they have for a lifetime, forming lines for hot baked potatoes and cold milk. Notably, the brilliance of spunky kids in many areas deserves a round of applause.

With new features few and largely unimpressive, the old favorites stood tall with Hilby, sea lions, raptors and dinosaurs drawing big crowds. Sculptures of sand and of butter were, as always, surrounded by Fair art enthusiasts. The midway spun its traditional magic for young riders and ubiquitous music inspired one big dance party. Incredibly, much of the excitement was lost on people who couldn’t look away from their cell phones.

There were a few massive concert crowds at Suburban Park, while benches missing from Chevy Court may have turned up there. No doubt, both venues could use more seating, something else needing off-season planning.

A team of mostly-young workers in bright green shirts seemed to be everywhere and cleanliness of the grounds was impressive from one end to the other. Great job, Ninjas.

For some reason, the Broadway SkyLiner never seems to live up to its potential. It looks great and adds to the midway mystique for sure, but ridership seems pretty light, at least some days. The steel posts that support the moving cables will soon be chilled by fall air, as will Fair aficionados, who will savor memories of this year as they look forward to Aug. 20, 2025, next year’s opening day.