The milk bar price increase, announced last week then rescinded, turned controversial after a renowned animal rights activist criticized the state subsidy that averted doubling the cost of a cup of white or chocolate. Customers, who tolerate long lines to get their bargain moo juice, were howling at the planned increase before Gov. Cuomo stepped in with $90,000 in state money to avert it.

That brought a letter opposing the subsidy—actually opposing human consumption of milk in general—from Gene Baur, an author and the founder of Farm Sanctuary in nearby Watkins Glen. Though Baur’s letter focuses on his contention that dairy products are unhealthy and contribute to heart disease, diabetes and stroke, his organization decries the raising of livestock for meat, milk and eggs as inhumane, even cruel.

In a state as large as New York, with a fair as diverse as ours, there should be room for differing opinions as well as insightful discussion about farming and nutrition. The dairy industry is one of New York’s largest, providing many financial benefits from taxes to employment. But even supporters have to recognize that the cows raised to produce the milk often pay a price, though dairy farm conditions vary widely.

The best way for you to decide how you feel about this controversial subject is to examine the issues and weigh the options. At the Fair, look closely at the animals that play a part in our food industries. Ask questions and gather information that’s available. But don’t stop there. After the Fair, take a drive to Watkins Glen to visit the Farm Sanctuary (www.farmsanctuary.org). Get their perspective on the raising of livestock and the food thus produced.

Take a close look at the facts, then decide what to feed your family.

Several acts have been announced for the new Chevy Court stage at this year’s New York State Fair while the awkward relationship with the Lakeview Amphitheater heats up as well.

Thus far, three concerts are booked at the new venue during the run of the Fair, starting on opening day with Keith Urban. The talented Aussie played the Grandstand twice in recent years, proving himself a dynamic live performer and a fan favorite. But for potential concert patrons who love the Fair, this booking presents a dilemma.

Opening Day, 2016 will be like none other as the new midway, reworked campground and shuffling of food stand locations are among the intriguing changes being unveiled that day. State Fair Hound is aware that the Fair and Onondaga County, which owns the amphitheater, are working on plans to transport people from the Fairgrounds to the concerts and back. It’s a big change from the days of entering the grounds to enjoy the Fair and capping it off with a simple stroll to the Grandstand and it seems unlikely that most fans will do both in one day.

For The Hound, the choice is clear—be part of the historic day that unveils phase one of the Fairgrounds makeover and attend a show at Joanie’s Toxic Waste Bed Theater another day. For those who simply can’t forego seeing Urban, they can use their State Fair Ticket another day, even one less historic than Aug. 25, 2016.

From what we’ve seen on the website, there won’t be a traveling show featuring performing dogs at this year’s New York State Fair as there has been in the past with such shows as Extreme Canines Triathlon and Mutts Gone Nuts. But that doesn’t mean there are no dogs to watch.

Two events that feature 4-H kids and their pooches showing their stuff in the ring are among our favorite underappreciated annual features.

The 4-H Youth Dog Obedience and Agility Competition takes place in the Coliseum on Wed., Sep. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Thurs., Sep 3, the 4-H Youth Rally Grooming and Handling Dog Show goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Youth Arena

These events are nothing like the snooty Kennel Club shows you see on television as they feature the youngsters with all shapes and sizes of canines, including mixed breeds, engaged in activities that many average dog owners practice every day. Some dog performances are impressive, some not so much. But they’re all adorable and a pleasure to watch.

The kids themselves are inspiring in their dedication and patience as well as their obvious love for their dogs. Spectators get a close-up look at the pooches as they come and go, and maybe even a chance to pet and pat. Of course if they want a real challenge, they should add cat training to the agenda.

The Walker International Circus also offers a chance to see some dogs, these of the performing variety, which is always better than seeing wild animals used in such a way. Unfortunately, the description says that Walker also has “dangerous” animals in their show.

In other dog-related news, a War Dog Memorial will be unveiled near the Veterans Memorial on Sep. 3 at 11 a.m.

There are now just two weeks to go before the opening of the 2015 New York State Fair and let’s hope that day is as picture-perfect as this one.

Speaking of pictures, State Fair Hound hopes that you’re planning to take some photos of your time at the Fair this year. Get your camera or phone camera charged up and ready to shoot the festivities and excitement on the grounds.

Some photographers enter their pics in the State Fair art competition which you can view in the Art and Home Center every day of the Fair. Others use theirs as a record of their family’s adventure, something the kids can review to spark some happy memories made on the rides and throughout the grounds.

Before pointing your camera at one of the Fair concert venues, be sure to check ahead on the rules at the site of the show. It’s not a problem at Chevy Court, but the Grandstand and the new Lakefront Amphitheater will have to comply with guidelines set by the performers.

State Fair Hound is planning to greatly expand our photo file and will be sharing many of those new looks with our readers. We appreciate the advice and guidance of our friends at Ra-Lin for helping prepare us for this project. Mention State Fair Hound when you shop at Ra-Lin. You won’t get anything free, but they’ll treat you great, as they do every customer. Pardon the free plug.

Start your two-week countdown by enjoying these unusual photos from last year.

The announcement Tuesday that Meghan Trainor and her two opening acts had to cancel their appearances Sep. 3 at Chevy Court muddles an already bizarre scenario for that date. Not only is that one of the five nights with an event scheduled in the Grandstand–in this case Patti LaBelle–it’s also the date that our bumbling County Executive booked the debut concert in the new toxic-wastebed- adjacent amphitheater, featuring Miranda Lambert.

Now Fair officials have to shake off the disappointment of losing an act that was likely to draw one of the court’s biggest numbers this year to find two more acts. Having no show at Chevy Court is not a reasonable option and from Acting Director Troy Waffner’s statement, not the plan. The Hound barks its approval of that. Chevy Court is a major event every day, often boosting attendance and vendor traffic. Among all of the free-with-admission events, the big stage tops the list.

Keep in mind that they probably don’t want performers who will clash with the Lambert crowd. The limited timeframe is therefore complicated by the need to avoid booking someone who plays modern pop-country.

That has to be causing some headaches in Geddes, adding to the task of firming up parking and shuttle plans to accommodate two crowds in two areas, including those who want to visit both the Fair and the amphitheater in the same day.

It’ll be tough to book someone memorable last minute—and that’s what this is—but not having a Trainor-sized crowd may ease congestion a bit that night. It may even be smart to book a more popular act in the afternoon, accepting a less frenzied audience for the 8 p.m. slot to balance the mass influx of cars expected to arrive simultaneously for the Grandstand and the amphitheater.

It may seem obvious, but State Fair Hound will offer this advice anyway. If you want to attend the New York State Fair on Sep. 3, but aren’t going to an evening performance at any of the three venues, go early in the day, have a great time and avoid the late rush. Of course, we first have to see who is playing at Chevy Court. This should be interesting.

The New York State Fair website just published the daily schedules of Fair events and activities, one of the final indicators of how close we are to opening day. These schedules, while they don’t list everything happening on the grounds, are a valuable tool for planning your day at the Fair so you don’t miss your favorite sideshow, livestock event, demonstration or performance.

Just scrolling through the listings for day one, Aug. 27, you have to be impressed with the variety of entertainment, including some gems that haven’t received a great deal of publicity. A wide variety of dance performances, from line dancing to clogging to traditional Iroquois dances, animal attractions featuring everything from rabbit jumping to a llama halter show, food-related events including cake creation, butter making and wine and cheese seminars, gymnastics, soap making, several different horticultural demos, a basketball show team and a reptile rescue presentation are all listed. Then there’s musical acts, way too many to mention.

State Fair Hound knows that most fans walk through the gates knowing at least some of the acts they want to see, and that’s where these lists come in handy. Check them out on nysfair.org.

We expect added enthusiasm for visits to the pig barn this year Fair after last year’s absence of piglets due to a swine illness outbreak. It’s back to normal this year, so stroll the barn to enjoy the little ones with their mothers.

The pigs arrive on day four, moving in after the llamas occupy that space on the first three days. The llamas are a popular if temporary attraction, as the long-necked mountain dwellers are an unusual and fascinating sight on the grounds.

Of course that same building houses goats, including the goat milking area.

You can plan to enjoy the viewing, judging and demonstrations of all three species by scouting them on the Fair website, nysfair.org under Your Fair; Agricultural schedules, events and exhibits.

Until then, enjoy these pics by State Fair Hound photo editor Nick LoPresti .

State Fair Hound was on the grounds this weekend and we can report that infrastructure improvements continue in preparation for the 2015 New York State Fair. The projects currently nearing completion are consistent with those done over the past several years.

Shown below are the new brick steps on the Dairy Products Building, with a ramp to the left for those who can’t navigate stairs.

A brick patio looks ready outside Baker’s Chicken Coop.

Updated landscaping beautifies the Veteran’s Memorial in front of the Horticulture Building. Some bricks have been added as demand continues from families paying tribute to their vets.

Getting ready for this year, the ever-popular Dinosaur Bar-B-Que stand is up, with staff gearing up for the crowds.

Some paving has been completed in the Iroquois Village, as mentioned in an earlier post.

Check back for more updates on preparations from State Fair Hound.

The Wade Shows’ second New York State Fair Midway will bring some new surprises, including one very tall ride that is meant to thrill without speed. The Observation tower will lift riders gently 100 feet into the air, promising a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding grounds.

It sounds like a great place to capture some panoramic Fair photos and the Hound is planning to do just that. We’ll post some during the Fair. It also reminds us of the gondola ride Strates used to run years ago. Wade has one they call the Sky Liner. That over-the-top (literally), ride soars above the midway, offering a different view of the festive landscape, one that the whole family can appreciate. Maybe next year.

Meanwhile, if you want to see what else Wade has in store for this year, check their website where you can find a list and description of the rides they plan to erect on our midway this time around. And don’t forget your advance-sale ride passes–$20-$25 is a great deal for dedicated riders.

The Fair announced today plans for two new competitions for this year, one for flower arrangement and one for poetry. While these aren’t exactly blockbuster events, that’s fine. What’s a little concerning is the lack of anything new that has that excitement-generating, attention-grabbling potential that you expect every year.

The “attractions and Events” list on the Fair’s website is notably short on new features. As the Hound noted in an earlier post, we’re excited about the new Equine Avenue. The return of the Sea Lions and the circus, both missing last years, are also big additions to the line-up. There are a few other first-time features we’ll cover in future posts.

But we’re not seeing the wow factor for one or two new attractions as there has been in past years with the wolves and dinosaurs last year and debut of the Fair museum and the performing dogs in 2013.

We still yearn for exhibits like the Elvis memorabilia, the Baseball Hall of Fame, Corning Museum of Glass and Toothpick City of years past, all major crowd pleasers. Show biz being what it is, you can’t always get marquee attractions like those. And in all fairness, some of yesterday’s new features are now annual favorites—the Fair museum, the butterflies and the cow birthing center come to mind.

Ironically, this year’s biggest story is the debut of the amphitheater, which regular readers know has us concerned about its effect on the Fair. Stay tuned for more on that.