The Fair is home to all of New York’s official flavors, many of which are sold and displayed in the Horticulture Building. Passing under the glorious art-deco facade, you’ll find a wide array of apples and the nearby honey stand with its gazebo full of swarming bees on display just inside the west wing .
The one product that for many tastes best captures the deliciousness of New York’s sharply contrasting seasons, the sweet velvet of maple syrup, does a booming business annually from its prime location among these Hort neighbors, with Maple Day celebrated annually. Rightly so, as the Empire State is the second largest maple-producing state in the US, following a tradition that dates back to the first maple gatherers, Native Americans.
New York Maple Producers have the biggest stand in the building–1200 square feet occupying one whole side of the wing–as well as one of the oldest stands on the grounds. Though nearly every New Yorker has drizzled their pancakes or waffles with gooey maple syrup, more than two dozen consignors produce an inspired variety of products to satisfy rabid maple lovers. 
Maple sugar, candy, granola, popcorn, cotton candy, coated peanuts or cashews, spreads, creams, popcorn and flavored coffee all occupy shelf space.
Maple ice cream, sold in a corner near the back door, has proven a strong seller with a soft serve cone or bowl–priced at $6 last year. Milkshakes and other specialties are also available.
Containers of syrup ranging from 3.4 oz. bottles to gallon jugs, glass or plastic, including decorative containers that make better gifts than the tacky trinkets sold on the midway. In addition to the economic boost from sales to Fair customers, maple producers compete for bragging rights by entering their products for judging. A glass trophy case displays winners of ribbons in State Fair competition for syrup, candy, creams, condiments and treats.
Awards are issued strictly for Empire State products submitted to the Fair. Any New York state maple producer can bring products in to be judged. 
Champions are chosen in different categories, including light syrup, medium syrup, dark syrup, sugar candy, granulated sugar, creams among other various categories. Ribbons are awarded early in the Fair with winning products put on display. Overall scores determine a grand champion.
While product sales are important, consumer exposure and promotion of New York maple are as important as the bottom line. 
Also in the Hort, you’ll find the Taste NY Marketplace where you can score free samples of food and beverage products, and meet the people who make them. Featured vendors change daily throughout the Fair, offering ample opportunities to sample local products.
Nearby the Taste NY Pop-Up Market returns, featuring more than 100 food, beverage, and gift products from around the state.
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