The inimitable Hilby is back for his popular run at the new York State Fair. Times and location vary, so check the website or pick up a free visitors map at the entrance gate. But whatever you do, don’t miss Hilby.
Category: Fair people (Page 2 of 3)
The real-life heroes who are firefighters and other first responders will be guests of honor Sunday at the New York State Fair.
Those brave men and women will be admitted free with their professional credentials and will receive recognition at a ceremony at 11 a.m. in front of the Horticulture Building.
Fair fans can cheer on fire personnel as they’re featured in the 6 p.m. daily parade.
Senior Citizens, ages 60 and over, are admitted free on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the New York State Fair.
Vendors and exhibitors will gear up to serve a tidal wave of mature visitors for those three days, now that senior days have been expanded from the previous two-day schedule.
Entertainment at Chevy Court will include British Invasion stars Herman’s Hermits, featuring the ever-charming Peter Noone.
A popular strolling entertainer is making his return to the New York State Fair this year.
Wandering musician Bandoloni will be stomping to the oldies in various locations after a one-year absence on the grounds.
The colorfully-dressed one-man band always seems to draw a crowd wherever he starts his show, singing and playing classic rock favorites.
He had been an every-year attraction until last year, when he was inexplicably missing from the Fair itinerary.
Look and listen for his return around the Restaurant Row neighborhood daily at Noon, 4 and 6:30 p.m.
Opening Day is always a great time to visit the New York State Fair. 
You may even see Andy Cuomo, New York’s governor, while traversing the grounds as he usually shows up to cut a ribbon, make a speech and gobble a sausage sandwich.
Not everyone is a fan of the Gov–such is politics. But you have to recognize, he’s arranged for a lot of improvements to our beloved fair, so put aside differences and join the celebration, at least for today.
What’s this guy doing? Who knows–but it’s fun to watch. The New York State Fair has many scenes you won’t see anywhere else.
Gov. Cuomo announced Tuesday that Troy Waffner, who had been State Fair Acting Director for five years, has been appointed permanent director.
That’s great news for the talented and tireless Waffner and better news for everyone who loves the Fair. 
Results speak for themselves and the Fair has exploded with success and achievement under Waffner’s direction. He’s a hardworking straight-shooter who has earned the respect and loyalty of his staff, media types and Fair partners.
His positive and enthusiastic approach have made him the perfect face-of-the-Fair.
This long-overdue appointment assures that the Fair will stay on track for the foreseeable future. State Fair Hound joins the community in congratulating Troy Waffner–Director of the New York State Fair.
If you’ve been wandering the grounds of the New York State Fair for years, there are no doubt some familiar faces you’ve seen many times. One of those faces has been on hand every year for decades, often hidden behind a camera.
Award-winning local photographer Michael Davis has had hundreds of State Fair photos published locally as he covered the Fair for the weekly Syracuse New Times. 
He can be considered a true blue Fair fan and something of a historian, having covered concerts at the Grandstand and races on the track as well as many scenes at now-defunct stands on Restaurant Row and around now-demolished places throughout the grounds.
Davis says that his retirement is on hold and that’s good news for Fair fans. Look for him taking shots at Chevy Court, framing portraits of the Fair’s people and animals or just enjoying lunch at his favorite spot, Baker’s Chicken Coop. When you see him, wish him well and thank him for his dedication to keeping the Fair in his sights, treating us to his well-focused perspective.
Congratulations are in order to New York State Fair spokesperson Dave Bullard who was honored last week by the Syracuse Press Club. Dave received the Philip A. Hoffman President’s Award as the best news source for his work in spreading the word about the Fair and assisting the journalists who cover it. 
The award recognizes that, as the Fair’s lead PR guy, Dave is a top-notch ambassador for the Empire State’s greatest event, but let’s not forget that he supplements his efficiency and responsiveness with a warm, witty, charming personality that make it a pleasure for the media types who depend on him to get the scoop on the Great New York State Fair.
Dave’s enthusiasm for the Fair is genuine and he makes it contagious.
Every Day at the New York State Fair is Indigenous Peoples Day. State Fair Hound salutes our Haudenosaunee neighbors.