The New York State Fair building currently called the Eatery is still the International Building to generations of Fair regulars and some exotic cuisines are still represented inside. But some of the tastiest food from south, west and east of the borders is scattered among vendors in three popular villages.

Among the unusual treasures and soulful music of the Pan African Village, you’ll find delicious soul food, Caribbean fare, barbecue and homemade desserts from local restaurants and vendors. The 28th edition of the colorful block party, situated between the Center of Progress and the Art and Home Center, features bands and dancers on the entertainment tent stage. Near the stands serving a variety of terrific non-traditional food are welcoming vendor tents displaying clothing, jewelry, rare handicrafts and collectibles.

In addition to opening opportunities for minority-owned businesses, Pan African adds a dimension of excitement and personality that reflects New York’s diverse culture. The festive Village has since become a mainstay for the Fair, a popular annual tradition beloved by visitors of all races and backgrounds.

Visitors get into the spirit by taking a drumming lesson, viewing historic exhibits or dancing to the day’s featured musical acts. Shoppers browse the vendor tents for unusual gifts and keepsakes. It’s certainly one of those not-to-be-missed State Fair favorites, near Chevy Court and the State Parks area, easily accessible from tram stop 2, just inside gate 11A.

The State Fair Latino Village is gradually developing a similar vibe, one mile west of the Pan African, capitalizing on the availability of the Talent Showcase stage to ignite exotic rhythms. Spicy Mexican and Caribbean cuisine join with souvenir vendors under colorful flags. Check the Fair website for event schedules.

The fledgling Asian Village returned for its second year, bringing back the vendors, music and dance that opened last year. As with its predecessors, its vendors and exhibitors will need some time to promote familiarity with patrons. When it comes to Fair fans, food is always a good place to start. Asian village cuisine shined with a tasty variety that included stir fry options and an exotic coconut drink that seemed to catch on quickly. Vegetarian diners will find several hearty choices on the menu.

Again this year, the Latino and Asian share space near the Youth Building and Talent Showcase stage, Asian for the first five days and Latino now underway through Labor Day. As they get more established with Fair visitors, they should grow into 13-day spots with their own identities menus and character. That way they can make their marks as their Pan African counterparts have done.

Perennial visitors to the New York State Fair treasure the picturesque Iroquois Village as a peaceful oasis of nature, beautifully shaded by the leaves of ancient trees.

New York State–before it was New York State–was the homeland of the indigenous people who call themselves the Haudenosaunee (pronounced “ho DEN o SHAW nee”) which means “People of the Longhouse,” in their native language, a reference to the bark-covered shelter of their ancestors.

Longhouses were used as dwellings by the Iroquois people as recently as the 17th century. Growing families brought in-laws, children and grandchildren into the homes, which could be partitioned to allow each smaller family unit to have its own separate quarters. The buildings usually measured about 18 feet wide and from 40 to 200 feet long, although some were even larger. Beds made of saplings covered with a mat of cattails and deerskin often furnished the interior.

The cylindrical buildings were central to the culture and identity of the Iroquois as several family units within a common clan lived harmoniously in a longhouse, just as the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora nations lived side-by-side in peace on the confederacy’s hills and valleys.

To illustrate the point, in 2000 Six Nations crafts people designed and constructed a replica of their traditional housing to commemorate the 75th year that visitors to the New York State Fair had been welcomed to the Iroquois Confederacy’s Indian Village. The traditional shelter of Six Nations families took its place as a fascinating display of authentic native history.

The building of the native structure that began with the turning of the rich soil, only a few hundred yards from the shore of the ancestral site now known as Onondaga Lake, is a process that holds tremendous significance in the heart of the Haudenosaunee people. After a crew of builders staked out ground under branches of a huge tree at the entrance to the grassy, park-like village, Six Nations Agricultural Society Superintendent Norman Jimerson presided over the ground breaking ceremony. A blessing in the native language was offered by Seneca elder Philip Thompson with Cayuga elder Stanley Buck at his side, both colorfully attired in customary shirts, feather headdresses and necklaces.

Jimerson then recognized the contributions of members of each of the six nations, singling out head builder and wood carver Larry Jones and Joe Cummins, the supplier of the elm bark that tradition dictates must cover the wooden structure, for words of appreciation.

State Fair director Peter Cappuccilli, Jr. cited the close relationship between the Fair and the native people and praised the new addition as “a dream come true,” recounting how Six Nations representatives and Fair officials had extensively researched and cooperatively planned the project. The original longhouse had to be rebuilt for the start of the 2011 Fair after an off-season storm extensively damaged the structure. The second incarnation now stands for Fair visitors to enjoy, having undergone some repairs since last year.

It is now an essential contribution to the Fair by the indigenous inhabitants of our neighborhood. The Six Nations are the original custodians of this beautiful land and it wouldn’t be the Fair without them. Every day (at 11 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m.), they present native dancers, festooned in colorful and finely-detailed costumes, performing historically-significant, traditional dances on the turtle mound stage.

Often described as the oldest participatory democracy on Earth, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s system of government was a model for the American Constitution. What makes it stand out as unique to other systems around the world is its blending of law and values. For the Haudenosaunee, law, society and nature are equal partners and each plays an important role.

A trip to the New York Sate Fair can’t be considered complete without a visit to the revered Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Village.

Perennial visitors to the New York State Fair treasure the picturesque Iroquois Village as a peaceful oasis of nature, beautifully shaded by the leaves of ancient trees.

New York State–before it was New York State–was the homeland of the indigenous people who call themselves the Haudenosaunee (pronounced “ho DEN o SHAW nee”) which means “People of the Longhouse,” in their native language, a reference to the bark-covered shelter of their ancestors.

Longhouses were used as dwellings by the Iroquois people as recently as the 17th century. Growing families brought in-laws, children and grandchildren into the homes, which could be partitioned to allow each smaller family unit to have its own separate quarters. The buildings usually measured about 18 feet wide and from 40 to 200 feet long, although some were even larger. Beds made of saplings covered with a mat of cattails and deerskin often furnished the interior.

The cylindrical buildings were central to the culture and identity of the Iroquois as several family units within a common clan lived harmoniously in a longhouse, just as the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora nations lived side-by-side in peace on the confederacy’s hills and valleys.

To illustrate the point, in 2000 Six Nations crafts people designed and constructed a replica of their traditional housing to commemorate the 75th year that visitors to the New York State Fair had been welcomed to the Iroquois Confederacy’s Indian Village. The traditional shelter of Six Nations families   took its place as a fascinating piece of authentic native history.

The building of the native structure that began with the turning of the rich soil, only a few hundred yards from the shore of the ancestral site now known as Onondaga Lake, is a process that holds tremendous significance in the heart of the Haudenosaunee people. After a crew of builders staked out ground under branches of a huge tree at the entrance to the grassy, park-like village, Six Nations Agricultural Society Superintendent Norman Jimerson presided over the ground breaking ceremony. A blessing in the native language was offered by Seneca elder Philip Thompson with Cayuga elder Stanley Buck at his side, both colorfully attired in customary shirts, feather headdresses and necklaces.

Jimerson then recognized the contributions of members of each of the six nations, singling out head builder and wood carver Larry Jones and Joe Cummins, the supplier of the elm bark that tradition dictates must cover the wooden structure, for words of appreciation.

State Fair director Peter Cappuccilli, Jr. cited the close  relationship between the Fair and the native people and praised the new addition as “a dream come true,” recalling how Six Nations representatives and Fair officials had extensively researched and cooperatively planned the project. The original longhouse had to be rebuilt for the start of the 2011 Fair after an off-season storm extensively damaged the structure. The second incarnation now stands for Fair visitors to enjoy.

It is now an essential contribution to the Fair by the indigenous inhabitants of our neighborhood. The Six Nations are the original custodians of this beautiful land and it wouldn’t be the Fair without them. Every day they present native dancers, festooned in colorful and finely-detailed costumes, performing historically-significant, traditional dances on the turtle mound stage.

Often described as the oldest participatory democracy on Earth, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s system of government was a model for the American Constitution. What makes it stand out as unique to other systems around the world is its blending of law and values. For the Haudenosaunee, law, society and nature are equal partners and each plays an important role.

A trip to the New York Sate Fair can’t be considered complete without a visit to the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Village.

The 2023 New York State Fair opened on Wednesday, kicking off a baker’s dozen of sensational days of  Empire State excitement.

A unusually large day one crowd crashed the gates as opening day weather was near-perfect.

While a reunion with old favorites is State Fair gold, new features and freshening make every year a little different from its predecessors.

Among the most visible new events are the premiere of the Asian Village, just outside the Youth Building and robotic dinosaurs in the Expo Center.

A 1,600 square foot concession stand opened behind the Eatery (International Building), the first new such stand built in decades. It’s home to Tully’s Good Times, a veteran regional restaurant and popular longtime Fair vendor.

Nearby, renovations outside the dairy cattle barn have eliminated longtime food stands in favor of temporary vendor shelters forming a street median as part of a beautification project. Restaurant Row is largely unchanged, but also brighter, with familiar names and enticing aromas tempting customers. 

This year’s version of the famous butter sculpture was unveiled Tuesday in the Dairy Building with a whimsical depiction of a train being driven by a little cow, while the latest edition of the sand sculpture is under construction in the Center of Progress, this year touting the 10th anniversary of Taste NY as a theme.

Twelve great days remain, so head on out.

Pole Cats

Family fishing Day was a late addition to the special days lineup.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will hold the free fishing event on Friday, Aug. 25 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the pond in the Experience Area, near Suburban Park.

No fishing license is required and loaner rods are available. All ages and abilities are welcome.

Game Time

Sports-minded visitors can enjoy some friendly competition every day of the New York State Fair with a visit to the Sports Activity Center, home to a variety of exciting events.

Girls and boys basketball tournaments, gymnastics, the New York State Fair Wrestling Challenge, roller derby, Moving Along Flyers Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, and even competition in the fast-growing sport of pickle ball.

Be sure to check out the schedule so you can grab a bleacher seat to watch your favorite sport.

The Sports Activity Center is located in front of the Coliseum, easily accessible by tram. All events are free to watch.