The New York State Fair is one week away. State Fair Hound will have coverage and special features every day of the Fair. Join us for another great year.
Category: Around the grounds (Page 2 of 13)
State Fair Hound readers have read many posts advocating for careful planning of their trips to the New York State Fair before going. No doubt, it greatly enhances your chances of maximizing your enjoyment once you enter the grounds.
Well, Fair fans, it’s time to start planning as the Fair has posted daily schedules for the 2024 edition on the official website. Many favorite features from years past will return while new acts are few. Here are some highlights:
Those amazing mechanical dinosaurs will return to inhabit the Exposition Center for all 13 days. For those who stood in line for the Expo Center to open last year, here’s a tip. You can walk in at any time, so there’s no point to standing in line awaiting the 10 a.m. opening.
Sea Lion Splash will be back in the Family Fun Zone, performing daily at 1, 4 and 6 p.m.
The awe-inspiring Hawk Creek Wildlife Center birds of prey are winging in from the Finger Lakes region for what has become a perennial favorite with Fair patrons of all ages. The feathered superstars are featured daily at 11 a.m., 2:15 and 4:30 p.m.
The small-but-mighty Circus Hollywood will be back with big-time, big-top entertainment daily at 11 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. A petting zoo and the racing pigs will come along.
Eco-magician Steve Trash returns for his third straight year, performing on the Empire Theater stage in the Art and Home center at 11 a.m., 3 and 5 p.m.
The cast of wandering entertainers is headlined by the inimitable Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy. 
He will perform daily at 11:15 a.m., 2:30 and 5 p.m. from Tuesday, Aug. 27 through Labor Day.
The Groovy Guy, a juggler with a quirky sense of humor returns after wowing crowds in his Fair debut last year. He’ll play the first half of the Fair, from opening day through Monday, Aug. 26, at 11:15 a.m., 2:30 and 5 p.m. each day. Hilby and Groovy will both perform outside the Science and Industry Building, near Chevy Court.
Also strolling the grounds will be one-man band Bandoloni, Rock-It the Robot and the Strolling Piano.
One new act is the Nerveless Nocks Sway Pole acrobatic show in Central Park daily at Noon, 3 and 5 p.m.The best news is that all of the entertainers named above are free for everyone who passes through the gates of the 2024 New York State Fair.
Numerous infrastructure changes, primarily planned to house and display livestock, were projected for this year, but we haven’t seen or heard about new barns or buildings, aside from the rebuilt Basilio Sausage stand.
With the beginning of summer fast approaching, fans of the New York State Fair can start counting down to opening day, now 10 weeks away.
The date will be Aug. 21 and you’ll be welcomed with another parking fee increase, now $12. If that means better service, improved access and smoother lot conditions, we won’t mind.
There hasn’t been much publicized about the plans for this year in terms of features that will be part of the ’24 Fair. We’re sure hoping that the overall entertainment agenda will be much more inspired than the lineup of musical (?) acts scheduled for Chevrolet Court and Hip Hop Hell (official name Suburban Park).
It shouldn’t be long before we know about featured shows and exhibits, which may include robotic dinosaurs, sea lions, a circus and return engagements for escape artist Lady Houdini and juggling phenom Groovy Guy. Likely highlights include the inimitable Hilby, the rockin’ Bandoloni and high-flying Hawk Creek birds of prey, 
which customers ranked as their favorite Fairgrounds entertainment in a recent survey.
A few new acts would be great to go along with such annual favorites as the fabulous Iroquois Village, barns stocked with gorgeous farm animals, historical displays and midway thrills. Despite the recent departure of several beloved food vendors, there are plenty of great eats on the menu.
Tickets, at the increased price of $8 plus service fees for adults, should go on sale soon.
Though kids of all ages are often considered the most reliable customers of the New York State Fair, there are droves of baby boomers who never miss it. That’s why The Hound is disappointed that officially-designated senior citizen days have been discontinued from the agenda. 
Although it’s laudable that everyone over the age of 65 is admitted free every day, the Fair needs to do more to cater to senior customers. In years past, senior days were perennially-popular events, starting with hand-picked entertainment on the Chevy Court stage. This year, Herman’s Hermits and Tommy James and the Shondells performed on the first Monday and Tuesday–traditionally senior days–not bad choices but lacking in imagination. Staging some big bands, American songbook singers, bluegrass pickers, romantic crooners and classic country acts could spice up the soundtracks of designated senior days
In addition to music and entertainment, gray-hairs also love targeted giveaways, vendor specials, scheduled retro events and health-related presentations designed for them. More of those features would be well-received and much-appreciated.
Another benefit that makes for a better Fair experience for older patrons is the motorized scooters for those who find walking difficult. 
They’re always there and quite popular, but rather expensive at $50 to $65 and limited in availability. Improvements in scooter service certainly seem to be in order.
Of course, numerous favorite food stands are greatly missed by senior diners, but we don’t anticipate the return of the Grange Ox Roast, Gianelli and Baker’s Chicken Coop. Savvy vendors should come up with creative ideas to attract seniors. The whole-meal specials once sold at the Grange stand were popular and led to loyal customer response.
It wouldn’t add much expense for the Fair to get back to scheduling official senior days and it would seem to be a can’t miss hit. We love the kids who swarm the midway, but let’s not forget grandma and grandpa.
Everyone who toured the grounds of the New York State Fair this year had to be impressed with the neat, organized and impressively clean look from one end to the other. 
Hardworking cleaning staff swarmed the grounds relentlessly, keeping trash contained.
Restrooms were well-maintained and picnic areas policed. It’s easy to take for granted the cleanliness and organization of the Fairgrounds. It’s one of those things you don’t notice until there’s a problem. There were issues in past years that drew criticism and complaints.
This year, no complaints were heard and none deserved. Kudos to those in charge of keeping things clean.
Several of the Hound’s contacts among Fair insiders have this year expressed frustration with the State Fair administration. The most commonly heard complaints center around poor communication, unwillingness to listen and lack of collaboration. 
The ugly clash prior to opening day that led to the absence of the Carol Baldwin Fund (Pink Out, Aug. 15, 2023) was well-documented and very disturbing, but not unique.
Apparently, bureaucratic paralysis is taking hold and making life difficult for vendors and exhibitors across the Fairgrounds. Fair administrators, from Director Sean Hennessey’s staff to the Department of Agriculture and Markets, right up to and including Gov. Hochul have to do better.
Some complaints have been heard from stakeholders over the years, but they seem to be louder now. Some of the Fair insiders said that they may not return due to their frustration with Fair brass,coupled with increased fees and expenses that are cutting into their profits. That’s bad news for Fair patrons.
You can bet that state politicians and bureaucrats are behind the problems. They should back off and let Hennessey’s staff handle things. While Hennessey just completed his first Fair at the top, he’s a classy guy and he has a lot of experienced and capable people on board who know the ropes when it comes to running the Fair. They can do the job, so state big shots should–but probably won’t–get out of the way and let them handle things.
With the annual concert by Herman’s Hermits featuring charismatic singer Peter Noone finished, the New York State Fair approaches the halfway point.
The first six days have gone smoothly with weather good and spirits high. The headlining appearance of the Dinosaur Expedition in the Exposition Center has been predictably popular, while traditional favorites from the Sea Lions Splash to the Iroquois dances, Hawk Creek birds and the Circus Hollywood have been filling bleachers.
Fair fans love a bargain, so buck-a-spud potato eaters are lining up as always, while quarters are being plunked down at the milk bar and dropped into Footsie-Wootsie slots. Parents are keeping costs down by guiding their kids to great free entertainment, starting with those dinosaurs and sea lions to adorable baby goats, gurgling tanks of fish in the DEC aquarium, a grassy playground in the Expo and a mini-golf course near the eatery.
Heading toward a collision with Labor Day weekend, patrons anticipate the arrival on Tuesday of beloved performer Hilby for three shows daily. 
While attendance is always affected by the weather, the upcoming weekend is usually the best-attended stretch of the Fair.
The 4-H kids will be showing their precious miniature horses throughout the day on Thursday at the outdoor show ring near the beef cattle barn and pigs have taken over half of the goat and swine barn. 
Inside the Horticulture Building, the sweet aroma of flowers will fill the air as dahlias, gladiolus and roses take turns filling the center section of the building.
If you’re looking for a reason to attend, don’t bother with the uninspiring concert lineup, just focus on the great variety of entertainment and the fabulous food.
To avoid the Labor Day weekend crush, do a weekday if you can.
Among the variety of entertainment on the menu at the New York State Fair is the traditional parade, this year marching down Broadway on five of the Fair’s 13 days. 
While they aren’t exactly theme events, each of them occurs on a special day with honorees prominently represented among the marchers.
All parades with the exception of Labor Day kick off at 6 p.m.
The first parade rolls along on Friday, which is pride day. Some of the participants of festivities held earlier that day can be expected to be part of the procession.
Don’t panic if you hear a siren on Aug. 28, law enforcement day. Police officers and vehicles will catch the spotlight for the parade that day.
Fire and Rescue heroes get their recognition on Aug. 29. The sun will glisten off those brass buttons as they march in step.
Armed forces day, Aug. 31 will have military vehicles and marchers carrying flags throughout the parade route.
Union members will be chanting for the final parade, the traditional Labor Day event, on Sep. 4. The Labor Day march begins at the special time of 10:30 a.m.
The parade route is easy to locate as Broadway runs in the shadow of the Broadway SkyLiner. If you time it right, it may be fun to watch the procession as you soar over it on the Liner.
Old Times
After the parade has passed, you can go just off Broadway to enjoy displays of vintage items from hardware and tools to fabric, cookware and furniture in the Agricultural Museum. While there, you can take in talks and demonstrations by exhibitors who have solid expertise on the artifacts on display and are there to answer questions and chat with visitors. It doesn’t change much from year-to-year, but you always seem to notice something different.
Right next door is the the Carriage Museum, home to fascinating antique vehicles including wagons, buggies, carriages and sleighs. 
Last year we missed Cowboy Doug and his western chuck wagon exhibit, but we’re told he may return next year. The clanging of hammer on anvil shaping red-hot iron highlights a live blacksmithing demonstrations in the back of the building.
There’s often live entertainment on the front lawn, adding to the welcoming atmosphere.
The Burbs
The new name announced this spring for the pond-side stage at the New York State Fair has eliminated the often-asked query from people wandering the grounds asking, “Where’s Chevy Park?”
This year, the better question is “Why should I go to Suburban Park?”
For local baby boomers, childhood trips to the original Suburban Park, a classic amusement park in Manlius, held magical appeal. The tacky fun house, the zesty pizza, the miniature train, the rock ‘n’ roll bands and the rickety roller coaster made the trip an indispensable part of every kid’s summer. Those former thrill-seeking youngsters are now senior citizens who would like to enjoy entertainment in front of the newly-christened Suburban Park stage.
But there’s precious little to attract them as shows booked there have skewed almost exclusively toward much younger fans, who will identify the new moniker with ear-shattering, pulsating beats of acts that feature drums as lead instruments. 
For seniors–really for many folks who love music and value actual singing and playing talent–there’s been little reason to spend a summer evening on the sloping lawn. As usual, that’s especially true for country music fans.
Meanwhile, transportation to Suburban Park continues to be challenging, as the daunting acreage of the Fairgrounds often requires fans entering for a concert on the big stage to hike a long way. Savvy concert fans can seek parking in the adjacent gray lot or park across State Fair Boulevard in the brown lot and enter gate four. But it seems that most patrons entering will also seek out tasty Fair meals and exhibits and entertainment far from the pond and arrive breathless.
While the lengthy trek on foot can take some of the fun out of the whole experience, again this year there’s not much fun to be had there anyway. If this pathetic lineup is the future of the stage, it will never live up to the name Suburban Park. Let’s call it “Hip Hop Heaven” or “A Load of Rap,” something that fits.
Get ready–The Great New York State Fair opens Wednesday. Don’t miss it!
Check back daily for an insider’s view of the Fair and dozens of new photos from State Fair Hound.
The fun comes to you as you stroll through the New York State Fair, beginning in two weeks.