Folks love to depart the grounds carrying a souvenir of their day at the New York State Fair. 
One of the most popular items to carry home is a caricature sketched by an artist in residence.
A quick break in a tent often produces an amazingly good likeness–whimsical, fun and one-of-a-kind.
Stuffed animals are OK, but a colorful portrait can be framed as a long-term remembrance, as this young couple discovered.
Did you know that the Great New York State Fair is the nation’s first fair to host an official pride day? 
It starts with a flag-raising ceremony in the morning, followed by several special afternoon performances in the Empire Theatre.
Pride Day celebrants will take part in a parade like this one, kicking off at 6 p.m.
Footsie-Wootsie is back at the New York State Fair. The famous foot massagers took a walk last year, but they’ve returned to the grounds to offer relief to weary travelers, a quarter at a time.
The beautiful New York Experience pond isn’t just for show. 
Thursday, for instance, you can drop a line and maybe even catch a fish as the New York State Fair celebrates Family Fishing Day.
No, it won’t be a whopper like the one pictured here, but it’s a challenge the whole family can take on as part of the day at the Fair. If you can’t make it Thursday, Family Fishing Day will be repeated on Saturday
Visitors to the New York State Fair can pick up the beat at the Pan African Village by joining a drum circle.
A recent tour of the New York State Fairgrounds revealed another vacancy where a food stand had been.
The newly empty spot is outside the poultry barn, between the Grange Ox Roast and Twin Trees. Remember Ox Roast moved last Fair after their corner stand was demolished, so that area is continuing to evolve.
A new vendor under temporary shelter will fill the spot this year, opening up those often-crowded walkways a little.
High-flying fun and carnival treats are just nine weeks away at the New York State Fair.
Now that the ice has melted, the schedule at the New York State Fair Exposition Center is filling in with a variety of events that will take advantage of the massive exhibit space and versatility under the multi-tiered roof. 
Coming on Nov. 2 and 3 is Best Fest, featuring entertainment, food and vendors from across the Empire State. One dollar sample portions–so popular at the annual Best of Syracuse Festival held in Clinton Square–will be available and parking on the massive midway lot is free.
Next up will be the alpaca Show on Nov. 9-11, moving into the larger space after years in the dairy cattle barn. More on that event in a later post.
It will be interesting to watch the development of the $62 million Expo Center as it reaches for its potential on the Central New York entertainment and tourism landscape.
With the sand sculpture moved to the Expo Center, the Center of Progress at the 2018 New York State Fair had more space than ever for demonstrators and pitch persons, like this woman who spent all day peeling vegetables and selling gadgets.
The miles of neon haven’t exactly gone dark, but last call has passed at the 2018 New York State Fair. It was memorable and historic–truly one for the ages.
There’s so much to discuss. Stay tuned to State Fair Hound for all of the reviews–hits and misses–from this year’s New York State Fair.
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