Whether you take a tram to stop number 2 or stroll over from the main square, you may hear drumbeats calling you to the lovely Pan African Village. A festive tent in the middle of the action is well-stocked with handmade craft items. Colorfully-attired proprietors display unusual clothing, jewelry and statuary.

Hot rhythms from the nearby stage add to the ambience of one of the most exotic and exciting Fair locales. Every visit is enhanced by the spicy aromas of resident food vendors cooking signature dishes from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

This year, the village has been tweaked with more walking space, enhanced signage and spruced-up décor to make this venerable Fair neighborhood seem fresh and new. The Pan African Village should be on every Fair itinerary.

The strong storms that rocked the Fairgrounds the day before opening day served to remind that the rough weather can hit at any time, jeopardizing the safety of patrons and workers alike. Earlier that day, Acting Director Troy Waffner accepted a certificate from David Nicosia of the National Weather Service in recognition of the Fair’s storm-ready status. That basically means that there is a plan in place to monitor potentially bad weather, to effectively communicate that information throughout the grounds and to take actions to promote safety. While visitors can walk through the gates ready for a day of fun, it’s comforting to know that the Fair is prepared for weather-related emergencies.

Visitors can come home from the New York State Fair feeling exhausted after a day of pounding the blacktop, standing in food stand lines, shopping Center of Progress gadgets and focusing on entertainment from Chevy Court to the Iroquois Village. While it’s always been true that having too much fun at the Fair wears you out faster than running a marathon, it was never more true than last year. The cause, of course was the sparkling new, expanded layout of the grounds.

While the entire Fairgrounds didn’t get larger—it’s still the 375 acres it’s always been—many fans likely toured more of it than they had in previous years. The turf formerly occupied by the mile-long oval track and the massive acreage that had been the infield are now part of the center area. Back then, folks rarely made the trek across the track to the infield, despite the best efforts over the years of Fair planners, who tried many different attractions to utilize it. So, even though that area was part of the whole package, it was largely invisible to Fairgoers.

That’s no longer true. Last year the newly-enlarged midway and the Broadway area were crowded with people trekking across the just-opened vastness of that middle ground and enduring the blisters and perspiration that came with it. Thus, it’s really important to think ahead and prioritize your walking, recognizing that you can’t do it all in one day. Use the tram and take frequent breaks to avoid getting exhausted. You’ll have a much better Fair experience if you do.

If you can , go several times, planning ahead to maximize each visit by focusing on making a few stops each time at your favorite building, exhibit or entertainment venue. It’s more affordable than ever to get through the gate, so go two or three times rather than try to do too much in one visit. Your dogs will thanks you.