As the sun set on Labor Day, New York State Fair 2105 faded out. After one last Chevy Court crowd in what’s being called the court’s biggest year ever, fireworks pieced the humid air above the Fairgrounds and fans reluctantly surged toward the exits.

The double-dose of disappointment that comes with the closing of the Fair really hurts. With the dismantling of the rides, closing of the buildings and shuttering of the food stands comes the end of school vacation and the holiday weekend. This year there is some compensation in expected relief from the torrid temperatures that dogged fairgoers for the past week.

For exhausted workers, Fair employees and even some of the animals, there may be time for overdue rest before assessment of this year’s success and planning for next year begins. Likewise, your State Fair Hound will spend the next week or two looking back, reflecting, critiquing, remembering, sharpening the focus on this go-round before forging ahead with ideas and projections for the next New York State Fair.

The Hound invites you to join our journey to Aug. 25, 2016. At State Fair Hound it’s always Fair season.

After-dark hours have been especially popular with Fair patrons this year, owing as much to the steamy days as to scheduled concerts and special events. While such major acts as Melissa Etheridge, Nas, the Jacksons, Jason Derulo and the Steve Miller Band shined under Chevy Court’s spotlight, smaller stages from the Pan African Village to the Regional Artists Stage have also kept the music hot as the temperatures cooled.

Meanwhile the wine village, the Restaurant Row Beer Garden and, of course, the midway made nighttime the right time for many to party down, New York style. Food stands tend to go with the flow, keeping the grills and fryers hot as long as there are customers to feed, giving fairgoers another reason to prolong their visits.

Cheers to Fair management for extending last call for alcohol a little and to Mother Nature for rain-free evenings, several with a full moon to contrast the neon glow.

Monday is your last chance to celebrate the New York State Fair this year. If you haven’t gone, get out there. If you’ve been there, you’ve seen how tremendous it is, so go again.

Yeah, it’s going to be hot. But take your time, get some indoor time, rest frequently, drink plenty and you’ll still have a great time. Most buildings are air- conditioned, so this is the time to see the sand sculpture, to quaff some milk, to learn about maple production, to view some great artwork, to get answers to your health questions, to enjoy model trains and to review State Fair History.

Barns are cooled, the wine court is shady, the State Parks exhibits are tree lined, there are spots to eat under umbrellas and there’s plenty of fun after dark, including a dazzling midway and a climactic fireworks show.

Don’t forget, admission is just $1 at the gate and rides are also a buck each. That’s an unbelievable value on the best entertainment package of the year.

If you don’t go, you’ll regret. The food is just as great as always and there really is something for everyone.

State Fair Hound reviews it all beginning Tuesday.

State Fair Hound photographer Nick LoPresti found several talented youngsters, each performing in some way at the New York State Fair. These Irish dancers stepped lively in the Empire Theatre.

This young songstress charmed the crowd at the Regional Artists Stage.

This helmeted horseman took a break in the Coliseum.

At Talent Showcase, this limber lass showed her athleticism.

Everyone is curious to see how things work out tonight for the first concert at the Lakefront Amphitheater. Fans attending the Miranda Lambert show can drive directly to the orange or brown parking lots, but those who go to the Fair earlier can catch a shuttle bus from gate 2.

Adventurous folks may want to try walking from the Fairgrounds to the show. It can be done, but not easily. Your State Fair Hound took about six minutes to hike up the ramps from the main gate to the orange lot earlier this week. It’s all uphill, of course. From the top of the upper ramp, it’s still a haul to the other side to the grass-and-gravel lot, busy with concert traffic, to reach the shell. For most people it seems like a tough walk that would likely take 12 to 15 minutes, more for slow walkers.

The Hound is still betting that most fans will go the concert without setting foot on the Fairgrounds, bad news for vendors who have always benefitted from show patrons walking by. Remember that the Fair ticket received with concert tickets can be used any day, so you can always come back to do the Fair.

Although this concert is taking place during the Fair, it’s entirely a project of Onondaga County. Thus, it’s unlikely that State Fair Hound would be granted press credentials and, to be honest, the Hound would rather be at the Fair.

If you go to hear Miranda, two words–Mosquito repellant!

The Hound was glad to see that two New York State Fair traditions have returned, one to feed us, the other to thrill and amuse.

Middle Eastern restaurant King David’s has been missing from its usual location near the Grange Building, but they haven’t moved far, just down a way on the same avenue, outside the cow barn. Same great gyros and falafel.

Juggler extraordinaire Hilby arrived on Monday, up to his usual antics, his amazing physical feats surpassed only by his relentless patter.

As promised the Hound tracked down the details on the new New York State Fair license plate at the DMV spot in the Center of Progress, near the sand sculpture.

You can order the plates, as well as work through other DMV functions, right there at the Fair. Standard initial fee is $43.75, $75 for personalized plates. If you want to keep your current number there is –wait for it—an additional charge. Then at renewal time, it’s an extra $30 per year, half of which goes to support NY tourism marketing. You would think that having “I (heart) NY,” and the State Fair logo would be support enough, but Cuomo wants your cash, too.

Food Bank of CNY staff were stationed in parking lots on Thursday to accept non-perishable food donations, but were not busy enough as the drive seems to have been underpublicized. Credit Channel 9 for mentioning it in morning newscasts, but that’s the only place the Hound heard it.

Fair patrons have another opportunity to support food donations at one of the Fair’s iconic locations as cash contributions are being accepted at the Rainbow Milk Bar, where a cup of cold white or chocolate is 25 cents.

Fairgoers can donate their spare change to the Great American Milk Drive and help ensure more families can get milk year-round. Donations to support the Great American Milk Drive will be accepted at every milk station at the Rainbow Milk Bar.  All proceeds will be earmarked for milk purchases and distributed to food banks throughout New York.

There is a nationwide shortage because milk is rarely donated. “Milk is one of the most highly requested items at food banks throughout the country,” says American Dairy Association and Dairy Council CEO Rick Naczi.  “To help provide more milk to families who depend on these facilities, we are asking fairgoers to donate a quarter for every cup of milk they purchase.  We’re calling this campaign “Get One, and Give One Too.”  If just a fraction of the people that visit the Milk Bar donate, we’d raise $22,000 and that would buy a lot of milk.”

Speaking of the Rainbow Milk Bar, Acting Director Troy Waffner revealed on Tuesday as the annual press preview, that the Fair is investigating the possibility of bringing back strawberry milk, which had been discontinued decades ago. If it happens, not only would it put the third color back in the rainbow, it would answer one of the Fair’s most frequent customer requests.

Opening day at the New York State Fair is special for a lot of reasons. Everything is new, clean and fresh. The workers are energetic and excited to get going. The debut exhibits, rides, demos and attractions bring a touch of the surprising and unexpected. And best of all, when you call it a day, you leave knowing that there are 11 more chances to visit.

Day one 2015 dawned damp and overcast and your State Fair Hound was on the trail of the best new features on the grounds. As expected, Hound didn’t see everything, but the first taste of this year’s Fair was exhilarating.

The sea lions returned to crowds of delighted fans.

A personable percheron named Murphy soaked up attention at the new Equine Avenue.

We got our first look at this year’s sand sculpture being carved.

New Rides included the Comet II, at over 200 feet long the largest traveling coaster in the US.

The Walker Circus, featuring this young juggler,  is going open-air this year.

New food stands included this one featuring the culinary specialties of Utica.

More early highlights from the 2015 Fair tomorrow in State Fair Hound.

With the 2015 New York State Fair on the verge of opening, State Fair Hound offers these last-minute tips to maximize your enjoyment on the grounds with photos by Nick LoPresti.

Hawk Creek

Animal lovers can find three terrific wildlife exhibits in close proximity by visiting the raptors from Hawk Creek Wildlife Center near the reflecting pool, the Monarch Butterfly Garden, inside the main entrance to the Horticulture Building and Wolves of the World, in a new location this year—the Adventure Zone, which is behind the Horticulture Building.

The Regional Artists Variety Stage has a new spot, the former Anna’s Pizza location near the Youth Building. A wealth of talent will perform there, always free.

Talent Showcase

Equine Avenue, a new exhibit inside a tent on the State Fair Boulevard side of the Coliseum, gives visitors some face time with horses, along with occasional presentations by horse pros. Nearby, the adorable Swifty Swine Racing pigs run to glory four times daily in the Sports Activity Center.

The Taste NY tent, just inside the main gate offers samples of some of the Empire State’s finest products on a regular basis. Many of the featured items are available for purchase in the shop behind the Chevy Court stage, the wine court in the colonnade, or other spots around the grounds.

NY Maple Syrup

Country fans get one last concert in the Grandstand when Hank Williams Jr. plays on Aug. 30. Bocephus hasn’t toured our area in quite a few years, so the Hound offers this tip based upon experience at his shows—take along some earplugs. Hank Jr. is one of the loudest country shows you’re likely to hear.

Military equipment will be displayed in various locations around the grounds. Aficionados will want to get a closer look while some parents may want to apply their own values and perspective with the kids.

The popular cow birthing tent is back in the same location, near FFA barn on the far western end of the grounds. Watch the webcam, www.uddermiracles.com and get updates on pending deliveries by texting 24587 and typing BABYCOW.

Wednesday is the last day for advance sale tickets, but if you forget, opening day is $3 at the gate.

See you Thursday at the great New York State Fair.