The performing dog show this year is a new one for the Fair and previous canine hijinks have been among the most popular of the family fun sideshows. Dogs are natural hams when it comes to show business and animal lovers don’t feel the guilt that can come while enjoying wild animal acts.

But with large crowds comes the issue of how to best present them to maximize the audience’s comfort and viewing positions. That’s been a problem as the Fair has to resort to movable bleacher seating that doesn’t allow enough space for the favorite acts.

A bigger, perhaps permanent venue for the sideshows would be a great addition if the financing were available. But it’s unlikely to rise to the top of a priority list that would include improvements at Chevy Court to cope with the crowds there and the holy grail of Fair improvements—an amphitheater for concerts to replace the Grandstand. OK, it would be tremendously expensive by Fair standards, but how much does it cost to erect and tear down a stage on the track every August? Plus a stage that’s more attractive to top-name acts and seating that is more comfortable and fulfilling for fans would be a dynamic addition. Throw in the added revenue that would come from non-fair events, perhaps booking acts that would bypass Syracuse on the way to Saratoga, Canandaigua or Darien Lake and it starts to sound like a pretty good idea.