Just Fur Fun
Many visitors to the livestock barns at the New York state Fair want to enhance their experience by going beyond looking at the animals to actually touching the critters. Sometimes that’s OK and sometimes it’s not.
Exhibitors have advised over the years that certain animals are better candidates than others for stroking and it pays to be aware which ones are friendly and which may nip. A good rule to observe is to keep your hands in your pockets while touring the poultry barn. Though the answer to a traditional riddle is “No, chickens don’t have teeth,” they may clamp their beaks onto a finger, providing a painful souvenir. The rabbits, who are usually housed in the same building, may look cuddly, but they are also known to bite.
Conversely, sheep don’t generally bite and have soft wool to pet. Unfortunately, sheep are generally absent from the Fair this year, but you may run into one or two curly tops around the grounds. Goats may also be good candidates for a quick touch. 
The last word is it’s always a good idea to target specialized exhibits where the animal is offered for close encounters or, at the very least, to ask the owner before touching.
Chain Gang
Art is on display at the New York State Fair, with sculptures of sand, butter and cheese. There’s none wilder, though than chain saw sculpting.
It’s really pretty incredible to watch the men and women artists guide their roaring tools through blocks of wood, sending chips flying in all directions. 
The final results, often animals, turn into modern totem poles, especially after they’re painted. It’s the type of show you only see at the Fair, unless you attend a lumberjack show.
Creation of the saw statues is among the dozens of free shows, but those in attendances may be tempted to purchase a completed artwork to take home. They would certainly liven up your yard or deck.
Tanks a Lot
There are many reasons that fish interest people. They’re eaten, caught for sport, kept as pets and studied for their biological significance.
That must be why the small building in the colonnade, home the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, attracts crowds to gape at aquariums filled with various species of fish. Bearded catfish, glistening rainbow trout, lanky bass and many other fish breeds swim in endless circles, allowing Fair visitors to get a rare close-up look. There are also other aquatic critters in the tanks.
For some reason, young kids are often so mesmerized by the sea life that they actually stand still for a few minutes.
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