One change in the 2021 New York State Fair that hasn’t been covered in local media reports is a new opening time that may cause consternation. Director Troy Waffner has confirmed to State Fair Hound that the new opening time, 11 a.m., is firm and that patrons will not be allowed in before that time.

There are several reasons that earlier arrival was popular with Fair fans, among them the opportunity to eat tasty food-stand breakfasts, avoid traffic jams and beat the heat when the weather is steamy.

But Waffner cites several reasons for the policy. “The first is we’ve gone to 18 days, 12 hours a day so it gives a little more of a break with our staff and everybody’s staff on the grounds,” he said. “A number of vendors have actually complimented the opening up at 11:00 because then they cut down on staffing and it doesn’t push them so hard over 18 days. The other part is just to make sure, as we go into 18 days, it gives us a couple of extra hours to get the grounds cleaned, get the roads cleaned, to get the wholesalers off the grounds before we open.”

Safety concerns over interactions between Fair visitors and delivery trucks was a consideration. “Human nature, at least on the Fairgrounds, is a person doesn’t get out of the way of a tractor-trailer,” Waffner explained. “So it created potentially bad incidents in the past. It gives us an ability to sweep the grounds of everything and open up for a real day at the Fair as opposed to opening at eight with tractor-trailers and everything driving around.”

It appears that this restriction is for real and gate staff will have to break the news to people who arrive early according to their–often longstanding–tradition. No doubt, many Fair customers will be disappointed that they can’t arrive on quiet morning roads to ease into their day as vendors set up, rides get inspected, animals receive care and the aforementioned alfresco breakfasts are served.

Maybe you had better tell your friends you saw it on State Fair Hound. We hope that other media outlets catch up in spreading the word, but it seems inevitable that a significant number of patrons will be surprised and angered when they arrive early, ticket in hand, only to be denied entry.

As with the no-cash ticket policy, a more moderate approach may have been better received by those who make the Fair a profitable enterprise.

Tickets for the New York State Fair went on sale, sort of, on Aug. 1. A tricky new policy has been implemented, unfortunately without public input, that makes buying tickets with cash impossible.

It used to be easy to be a Fair customer. You could buy advance tickets at supermarkets and banks. You could pay cash at the gates and in the parking lots. No more. Advance purchasing is limited to internet sales over Etix, which will, of course, tack on a service charge.

There will be kiosks at gates one and 10 (why not others?), QR code readers, and EZ Pass scanners. But no cash. Don’t have internet? No credit card? Making an impromptu visit to the Fair with no ticket, but a pocketful of greenbacks? Be forewarned. The Fair won’t take cash.

Likewise, parking in Fair lots will require a pre-purchased ticket or credit card, except for those using the EZ Pass lane.

Modernizing by taking advantage of technology is necessary and beneficial for 21st century efficiency. Anything that helps keep pedestrian traffic flowing through those gates on busy days is great. And with full admission price lowered to three dollars, they have to save somewhere, so may as well reduce costs by cutting out Wegmans and Tops. No problem.

But more flexibility would be a more customer-friendly approach. Really, what’s wrong with handing an attendant a five dollar bill as you drive in? It’s been working for decades. It can still work. At the gates, what could it hurt peddle a few tickets in exchange for real money? Low tech, but highly effective.

Flexibility is good for business and very good for loyal customers. If you agree, there’s plenty of time to call in your complaint about this troubling new policy to Director Troy Waffner at 315 728-4516 or email troy.waffner@agriculture.ny.gov. Be polite as it’s most likely not Troy’s plan. So maybe make a call to the Governor or your State reps.

It’s time to get going and search for those unused 2019 tickets to the New York State Fair. Maybe you’ve heard that they will be accepted for admission this year.

Some fans were upset that during the ’19 Fair, additional free or reduced-price admission days were added, leaving folks who had the foresight to buy advance sale tickets before opening day getting less bang for their bucks (Gate and Switch, Sep. 22, 2019).

It was then announced that those pre-Fair ducats would be honored in 2020, which–well, you know what happened, don’t make us say it.

Those tickets are good for admission any day this year, so search your drawers, purses, glove compartments or wherever you stashed them and you won’t have to buy a ticket this year.

Remember that everyone 65 and older will be admitted free every day, so you seniors can pass leftover tickets along to younger friends or relatives.