With New York State Fair 2023 in the books, The Hound is a dog with a bone. We’re going to keep our coverage going for a while, reviewing highs and lows from this year’s big party over the next few weeks.

We’ll start with a change in direction for infrastructure on the grounds that started this year. The new food service building for Tully’s Restaurant was beautifully done and apparently begins a trend for food stands. When the Gov visited during the Fair, she munched a sausage sandwich at Basilio’s and revealed plans to demolish their stand and build a replacement.

The Hound cheers the addition of new structures, something that had been on hold for several years. Some previously-razed vendor stands left owners to work from tents or trailers. But permanent buildings add class and make the Fairgrounds the very special venue that it is.

We’d love to see vacancies continue being filled with solid stands. This is a good start.

It’s official. The New York State Fair will run 13 days in 2022, from Aug. 24 through Labor Day, Sep. 5. Thus ends the trial 18-day run that got less than glowing reviews this year.

The five-days earlier opening seemed to catch patrons off guard and put a strain on many Fair businesses, especially those who had to fit the Fair into their schedules of events. For some, there were conflicts with other festivals, particularly the Erie County Fair, which didn’t end this year until Aug. 22, two day after the State Fair opened.

Maybe the longer run would have been OK if not for lingering pandemic concerns, but Director Troy Waffner and Gov. Kathy Hochul certainly aren’t alone in thinking that 13 days is a better fit.

There may be more changes coming up, but this is a major shift. The Governor deserves credit for making it quickly to allow everyone to plan ahead for a big year in ’22.

With the 2021 New York State Fair in the history books, it appears that several major operational changes implemented this year may be short-lived after Director Troy Waffner hinted that rookie Governor Kathy Hochul may be leaning in that direction.

In a Labor Day interview with News Channel 9 reporter Adrienne Smith, Waffner made the case for reverting to a 13-day format after the first ever 18-day Fair tested vendors, exhibitors and Fair staff. While conceding that the decision on length would be made by the Governor, he said, “It was a great run at 13 days. Thirteen days is more sustainable. I think 13 days is a good solid run.”

Waffner also endorsed an earlier opening time after the newly-installed 11 a.m. entry angered more than a few patrons. The Post-Standard reported that some arrived before 7 a.m. on opening day, hoping to be first to enter. They didn’t get word that the State had decided to keep them out until 11, so they stood for hours on a hot, humid morning waiting for the gates to open. It was an inexcusably rude way to treat customers and did little to make the event better or safer.

The Post quoted one guy as saying that he blamed deposed Gov. Cuomo and Waffner’s post-Cuomo comments seem to confirm that idea. “At the end of the day, I’m a policy implementer, not a policy developer,” he told Smith. “I just follow the lead of the Governor’s office. They tell me what they want done and we get it done.”

Let’s hope that Gov. Hochul reverses that decision and sets a more reasonable opening time for 2022, whether it runs 18 days, 13 days or whatever it may be. While she’s at it, modifications to the strict, possibly pandemic-inspired, no-cash policy for tickets and parking may also be in order. Really, who doesn’t accept cash? Maybe the Carrier Dome, but who wants to be like them in terms of customer service?

In the interest of balance and fairness on Cuomo, the Fair was enlarged and developed in important and lasting ways during his administration, so thanks for that Andy. Hasta La Vista.

Mondays and Tuesdays have traditionally been senior days at the New York State Fair. But with the expansion this year to an 18-day run, every day will be senior day as everyone 65 and older will be admitted free daily.

With release of the list of special days on the Fair website, the announcement is great news for seniors, who now join kids 12 and under in receiving free admission every day.

Meanwhile, the admission rate for everyone else, with the exception of designated special days, is three bucks.

That loud cheering you heard on Monday was from New York State Fair enthusiasts thrilled to finally hear that our favorite event will go on at full attendance capacity.

The Governor, no doubt happy to flee Albany for a day, made the announcement at the Fairgrounds. Low COVID infection rates and strong vaccination data have inspired the bold step to welcome more patrons and open the buildings to essentially normal function.

There were several puzzling caveats including controlled  capacity in buildings and a recommendation that people eat while seated rather than while walking.

The importance of such actions isn’t clear. How would they make the Fair safer or better, especially since the decision to go Fairgrounds-wide full capacity makes the statement that progress on controlling the pandemic warrants eliminating restrictions?

Maybe they were watching an interview with Dr. Stephen Thomas of Upstate that aired on Channel 9, in which his first statement was that the risk of going to the Fair “isn’t zero.” Well guess what, doc, it never is. The risk of slipping on a discarded snow cone, being kicked by cow, choking on a corn dog or getting bonked with one of Hilby’s juggling pins isn’t zero. If you want zero risk, stay home.

One concession we must grant is that many of those nitwits who refuse vaccination will be the first to ignore taking any action that would mitigate transmission of infection. They’re the first ones who will be walking around maskless, wherever they choose, without regard for anyone but themselves. But they’re easy to spot–they’re the ones wearing a MAGA cap or maybe a tinfoil hat.

Cuomo says that they won’t check the vaccination status of those entering the Fair. That would be a monumental job, but certainly more effective than these half-assed measures to control conduct for people who have already passed through the gates.

The Hound stands by our earlier recommendation (Shot and a Fair, 6/7/21), but we’re moving in the right direction.

There’s plenty of time to get your shots and your State Fair tickets. It’s going to be a great year.

It has been frustrating to hear our soon-to-be former governor refuse to commit to opening the New York State Fair this year. While the Fair will certainly be among the summer entertainment and event venues dependent upon the COVID immunization status of those in attendance, progress is promising.

By April 21–four months prior to opening day–44% of New York residents had received the first dose of vaccine, with nearly 27% fully vaccinated. The rate in Onondaga County is even higher. It seems logical to expect that a majority of those who have been given one shot will return to complete the process, thus making it likely that we’ll approach the the halfway mark within the next few weeks and go much higher by mid-summer.

Ironically, one of the largest locations administering vaccination injections is the State Fair Exposition Center. That enormous building makes it easy to space out applicants and plentiful parking makes for a convenient trip.

Getting the vaccine is not only a step toward a healthier state, it goes a long way toward creating the immune herd that would make for a safe Fair. New York has developed a program by which patrons can provide proof of vaccination digitally or by a print document that may be required for admission to concerts, fairs, festivals and sporting events.

It would seem that in addition to checking Fair customers for vaccination status or negative COVID tests results, the Fair will also have to be vigilant in checking vendors and employees who work there. Many workers come from other states, including Florida, home state of many employees of the Wade Shows, producer of the midway rides and games.

There may be additional precautions mandated, such as crowd size limitations and traffic flow controls. It’s too early to know for sure how it will all play out, but it will be interesting to see how COVID-related concerns will impact Chevrolet Court concerts, where fans are frequently packed tightly.

For now, the massive Expo Center is operating as a medical facility. Those who get vaccinated there will be able to return in August when it will be used for its original purpose, hosting State Fair exhibits and events. If current trends hold, thousands who have been vaccinated will be in attendance at the Fair on Aug. 20 for what is likely to be Kathy Hochul’s first visit as New York Governor.

It’s time to announce an opening plan for the 2021 New York State Fair.

It was great to read recent quotes in the Post-Standard from New York State Fair Director Troy Waffner touting the advance work going on to prepare for the 2021 Fair. They inspired State Fair Hound to dream up a few quirky ideas for this year.

For instance, each year the New York State Fair designates a long list of special days dedicated to specific groups of people, major state industries or Fair traditions. There’s Dairy Day, Native American Day, Women’s Day and many others, some coming with free admission deals, parade recognition, related competitions or awards and so on.

Now that we’re gearing up for an 18-day event, maybe we need some more days, ones that haven’t been held prior to this year.

Suggestions? The Hound just happens to have a few. Try these:

Teachers Day. Honor those who dedicate their lives to educating children and adults. Free admission for teachers and maybe awards or professional recognition ceremonies.

Country music day. The Fair has some making up to do with country music fans, once the most loyal concert patrons, so fill one day with down-home music, dancing and festivities.

Healthy Food Day. No, really–Encourage vendors to highlight their non-fried options and offer special promotional deals and stage cooking demonstrations in the Art and Home Center kitchen.

Dog Day. Set up special events to allow canine-loving folks to show off their best friends. Include a performing dog show or dog-agility competition. Expand on pet adoption opportunities. Stand down, cat lovers. We all know that they wouldn’t enjoy being surrounded by a crowd of strangers.

Iroquois Sports Day. Promote demonstrations and competition in the Expo Center hosted by Six-Nations athletes in lacrosse, archery, running and whatever makes sense. Have crafters demonstrate how sticks and bows are made. Maybe give some children’s groups a chance to take the field.

Brotherhood Day. Yes, this should be every day, but how about special recognition for organizations who make kindness and generosity their mission.

New York Tourism day. Set up special presentations from several of New York’s terrific tourist sites. Feature the Baseball Hall of Fame, Saratoga Racetrack, Niagara Falls, Bethel Park, Corning Glass, Lake Placid and the Women’s Hall of Fame. Let’s not forget to highlight a few lesser-known gems like Syracuse’s own Erie Canal Museum.

Syracuse University Sports Day. This happened before, so make it a regular. Give admission discounts for Orange-attired patrons and promote sale of related memorabilia. Do it on the day of a game and screen the event inside the Expo Center.

Syracuse Jazz Fest Day. This idea was previously proposed by Jazz Fest Director Frank Malfitano as a way of presenting the beloved event which showcases national and local acts.The question has been how to finance it, but it’s worth trying to find sponsors to pay for a day-long schedule of music at Chevy Court. It would be a surefire crowd-pleaser, no doubt.

New York Railroad Day with demos and presentations at the historic train exhibit and the model railroad display. If 2019’s bubble train returns, sight-seeing rides would be great.

These are just a start. Join us in thinking up other possibilities.

Labor Day isn’t always welcome in our neighborhood, especially by kids facing another school year and adults watching leaves drained of their green, signaling the end of our all-too-brief summer season.

But most years–really every year before this one–there’s been the final day of the New York State Fair to see vacation season out with a bang–one last glorious day that has come to define the local summer-to-fall transition.

This year Labor Day is mostly just another unsatisfying late summer day. All we can do is longingly look forward to next year for the return of concerts, picnics, swimming, baseball, festivals and most of all the New York State Fair.

With any luck, there will be a few events at the Fairgrounds during the off-season to allow us a visit to our town’s premiere playground. If you drive in for a horse show, an antique event, a livestock competition or a holiday sale, take the opportunity to cruise around the grounds to see what changes have been made in preparation for State Fair 2021.

State Fair Hound will be keeping on top of Fair plans and updates, so watch for occasional news.

It’s been a painful summer, but it’s time to look forward. Mark August 20, 2021 on your calendar–that’s opening day of the 174th New York State Fair.