Working women and men are honored on Monday, Labor Day, kicking off with a parade. Local organized labor members will lead a parade, beginning at 10:30 a.m., circling the Expo Center and continuing down to the Iroquois Village.
The 2025 New York State Fair wraps up Monday evening with a fireworks show, having debuted the snazzy, new sheep barn, turned the Expo Center frosty, melted hearts with spunky and adorable canine antics and filled us with great food.
It was a weird weather year, mostly cool and occasionally rainy, but generally comfortable. Things went smoothly, except for one destructive storm and a couple of traffic jams caused by concerts on the other side of I-690. There is no easy explanation for so-so attendance, but count on State Fair Hound to offer some suggestions for improvement in a later post.
Fair visitors know that a stroll through the goat barn is delightful experience as the personable nannies and billies are real attention-grabbers. On Sunday, two special events take place in the pavilion, at the back of the barn, across from the Expo Center. Catch the goat costume event at 11:45 a.m. and the “I Milked a Goat” session at 2 p.m.
While it’s always a good idea to ask animal owners if it’s OK to pet livestock, goats are among the friendliest barn dwellers on the grounds. They also offer great photo opportunities, so have your camera ready.
We’re down to the last weekend as the Fair wraps on Monday.
In case you haven’t done everything, seen everything and eaten everything at this year’s Fair, here’s The Hound’s abbreviated State Fair can’t miss list:
The history and pageantry of the Iroquois village, a revered Fair tradition, tops the list. Don’t leave the Fair without seeing the fascinating dancing atop the Turtle Mound, daily at 11 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m.
If you haven’t gone into the Grange Building this year, don’t miss visiting the State Fair History exhibit. It should be an annual stop on the route for every Fair visitor, though it’s generally updated only a little from year to year. There’s plenty of history and much of it is on display. Still, it’s one of those features where you may notice something different every year.
The stately Agriculture Museum is an architectural work of art full of fascinating artifacts and demonstrations of various old-time farming and homemaking skills. The Carriage Museum next door features a working blacksmith shop and a variety of wheeled vehicles that predate cars.
Among other highly-recommended favorites are Hawk Creek Wildlife Center’s winged wonders in the State Park area and the festive Pan African Village. The debut Fair appearance of the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show can’t miss with dog lovers
Some livestock has departed, but there’s still enough around to fascinate and charm visitors, while the final performances of the Circus Hollywood (1, 4 and 7 p.m.) are great fun for all ages.
Of course, many fans arrive focused on one or two last meals, following their traditions to favorite vendors and sampling new treats.
If you haven’t seen the sand sculpture, where have you been? It’s in the Center of Progress.
It would be great if the weather is ideal for the final three days, but don’t let heat or rain keep you away. Go in prepared with appropriate clothing and a positive attitude and you’ll do just fine.
The final weekend is usually hectic with big crowds of fans getting their Fair fix. Arrive early and bring your patience.
When you’re ready to chow down at the New York State Fair, why not try something you haven’t had before? Every year brings some new food options and some of them are pretty tasty.
This year the Hound has enjoyed three new specialties right on restaurant row–hearty deep-fried cheese curds, creamy homemade gelato and dense, sweet cookie dough.
The first-time treat you sample this year may become one of your favorites.
New York State–before it was New York State–was the homeland of the indigenous people who call themselves the Haudenosaunee (pronounced “ho DEN o SHAW nee”) which means “People of the Longhouse,” in their native language, a reference to the bark-covered shelter of their ancestors.
The Six Nations are the original custodians of this beautiful land and it wouldn’t be the Fair without them. Every day (at 11 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m.), they present native dancers, festooned in colorful and finely-detailed costumes, performing historically-significant, traditional dances on the turtle mound stage.
Often described as the oldest participatory democracy on Earth, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s system of government was a model for the American Constitution.
A trip to the New York Sate Fair can’t be considered complete without a visit to the revered Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Village.
All members of Native American tribes get free admission to the New York State Fair on Friday.
Make sure to visit the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Village throughout the day for cultural performances and handmade crafts. The sensational, traditional dances take the Turtle Mound stage at 11 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m.
During your visit to the New York State Fair, don’t miss your opportunity to see equine stars up close. Horse shows happen regularly in the Coliseum and the 4-H kids saddle up in their rings located–appropriately enough–at the western end of the grounds.
Those adorable mini horses trot through the 4-H rings on Friday.
The exercise ring next to the Coliseum offers close-ups of beautiful horses in action.
Celebrate the dairy industry and the delicious dairy beverage and food products made here in New York on Thursday. The milk bar in the Dairy Products Building has 25-cent cups of New York milk, right near the celebrated butter sculpture.
Unfortunately, the Fair won’t close down the inhumane and disturbing Dairy Cow Birthing Center, certainly a black eye for the whole Fair.
It’s also Armed Forces Day as we celebrate all members of the military with free admission to any active duty or veteran with military identification.
A ceremony will take place at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Horticulture Building at 11:00am.
The parade steps off from the back of the Exposition Center at 6 p.m.
In addition, it’s Stomp Out Stigma Day, part of a national movement, which promotes hope and recovery and helps to make sure those who may be struggling with addiction feel loved and supported.
Hop on your unicycle and head over to the New York State Fair. We’re halfway through the 2025 edition, as evidenced by the arrival on Tuesday of Germany’s gift to wit and wackiness, the incomparable Hilby.
If you love horses, be sure to stop by the small 4-H stable across the street from the Iroquois Village. There, you’ll be able to get close to a variety of breeds, all brought in because they are friendly and personable. Visitors are encouraged to give their favorite horse a pat and enjoy their sweet dispositions.
It’s been a great Fair so far with no fewer than eight new features. Some Fair fans may miss the sea lions, but wild animals seldom belong in show business. Meanwhile, the Canine Stars offer better entertainment from a cast of domesticated performers.
There’s plenty of time for you to visit the Fair, so get out there.
Wednesday is Women’s Day at the New York State Fair, featuring a mini-fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chevy Court Pavilion featuring many advocacy groups for women. Stop by to get information, learn, and ask questions.
Wednesday is also sensory friendly Day. No really.
OK, we admit it. This day strikes us as kind of weird. It would seem that there aren’t many people who are seriously sensitive to lights, sounds and music and that tiny sliver of the population may be less likely to enjoy this big, bright, loud event. But OK, let’s not exclude anyone. If you want a lower-intensity State Fair with reduced sound volume and brightness, this is the day for you. Enjoy.
