Wednesday is Opening Day of the 2023 New York State Fair. That annual first, fresh look at the shiny clean, bright Fairgrounds is always exhilarating and this year also comes with a new director, Sean Hennessey having been given the assignment on Monday.
We’re still trying to get back to what had been considered normal operation, though there are still vendor changes initially caused by pandemic restrictions and staffing shortfalls, while new wrinkles have come up that are attributable to increased fees and the rising cost of doing business.
Once again this year, you’ll be able to beat the traffic and the heat by passing through the gates as early as 9 a.m. each morning. It looks like this year buildings will be closing at 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, still 10 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays.
You’ll need credit cards or prepaid credits at entrances, unfortunately. Same goes in parking lots, except where EZ Pass is scanned, while vendors almost universally welcome cash.
Entering early is a good way to start your day, to watch the set-up and feast on breakfast Fair-style until major buildings open at 10 a.m. Traditionally, the first day of the Fair is also Governor’s Day and this year Kathy Hochul is expected to arrive as the state’s first elected woman governor.
The perennially astonishing sand sculpture will be under construction in the Center of Progress, so if you enjoy watching the artists work, this is a good day to visit. Meanwhile, the heralded arrival of Dinosaur Expedition will bring animated, lifelike dinosaurs to terrorize Expo Center visitors.
The limited appearance of those amazing llamas will be in the goat and swine barn early in the Fair. Though the beautiful wool-bearers are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, New York farmers have found that they’re amazingly adaptable to local pastures. 
The llamas’ visit features competitions and special events before they’re herded out Saturday afternoon, so stop in early to see these stunning creatures up close. Don’t miss the wild and hilarious llama costume contest scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Dog lovers can also take in the 4-H dog obedience competition in the Coliseum, opening day only.
While visitors to the New York State Fair have their traditional favorite exhibits and events, every year the itinerary of special performers and entertainers staging shows around the grounds varies. Musical acts, stunt performers, talented animals and rib-tickling comedy provide a wide variety of free-of-charge shows sprinkled liberally throughout the day.
One marquee attraction this year will be the return of wet and wild performances by Sea Lion Splash in the Family Fun Zone. The chubby, mustached mammals returned in 2022 after several years away and drew huge crowds. Their encore hit the stage three times every weekday, four on weekends. Escape artist Lady Houdini will break out at 3 p.m and 7 p.m. daily in Central Park–the grassy area between the midway and the barns.
New this year is the debut of the Asian Village, which will run from Opening Day through the first Saturday, August 26 to recognize the contributions, history, and experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. 
Festivities will include traditional Asian cuisines to sample and singing, drumming and the Lion Dance—a traditional dance performed at celebrations and festivals with performers working together in stylized lion costumes. Plans also call for a Fashion Show with models showcasing attire representing 20 different nations.
The Asian Village is located in the western end of the grounds, near the Youth Building. On the first day of the Fair, Asian Village will run from 9 am to 10 pm. Look for a complete schedule of events on the Fair website.
Several food stands along Broadway and Restaurant Row present bands and solo acts that are often surprisingly talented, adding an element of night club atmosphere to your Fair dinner.
Check the schedule and stay alert for appearances by such terrific wandering entertainers as Bandoloni, the Strolling Piano and Hilby who have become Fair regulars, something to which newcomer Groovy Guy may aspire.
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