Face it–You can’t wait for opening day of the New York State Fair–now just 10 weeks away.
Category: Fair memories
It’s time to wave goodbye to the 2018 New York State Fair. 
What a dazzling show it was. It’s really a miracle to see that massive event come together to thrill us for 13 days. Kudos to the staff that pulls it off, year after year.
It was another landmark year, with a little of everything in terms of weather and many attendance records–including the single day mark–falling.
The debut of the 110,000 square-foot Exposition Center marks a new era for the Fair as that stunning addition completes development of the western end of the grounds, at least for now. There’s still room for more changes and nearly a year to make them.
Enjoy the memories while we start to look ahead to making more.
Monday night the New York State Fair closes with one of its best moments, the now-traditional closing fireworks display. They will be visible above the main gate shortly after the closing Chevy Court concert.
If last year’s display–here beautifully captured in a multi-exposure by State Fair Hound photographer Nick LoPresti–is any indication, it’s worth the effort to get a good spot to watch. Don’t bother trying to get a shot of your own with your cellphone. It won’t work, but we’ll ask Nick to take a few more to share with Hound readers.
It’s a fitting way to bring another great Fair to a close. Watch State Fair Hound for review and commentary in coming days.
This Labor Day marks 20 years since the powerful and tragic wind storm that tore through the Fairgrounds in 1998, causing the death of two men on the grounds.
The resulting damage caused Director Pater Cappuccilli, Jr. to cancel the final day of the Fair. It has gone down in history as perhaps the worst day in State Fair history, certainly one that will be forever remembered by Fair fans.
State Fair Hound is hoping that the Fair will commemorate that day and the men who lost their lives with a moment of silence or words of remembrance.
Addendum: A moment of silence was held just before the National Anthem on Labor Day. Well done.
With New York State Fair 2017 in the history book, State Fair Hound has some great memories to share.
Views of the new Broadway Skyliner were breathtaking from the air or the ground.
Hundreds of teens brought their hard work and unbridled enthusiasm to livestock competitions.
Technology took its place among Center of Progress vendors.
Some old favorites got new looks.
Great entertainment filled every corner.
Standing near the Chevy Court stage with a cold New York draft beer in hand, basking in an explosive 15-minute fireworks spectacle, was a great way to cap off Labor Day and a record-smashing New York State Fair. 
The warm glow of the main gate was the perfect backdrop, as seen in this photo from Nick LoPresti. Meanwhile there were still thousands of people swarming the grounds for one last spin on a midway ride or a final taste of glorious Fair chow.
The final count came in at just shy of 1,162,000. In case you missed it, if you held onto some $6 advance-sale tickets, instead paying just a buck on those impromptu special-price days, you can use those tickets next year–quite a bonus.
More review, analysis and commentary coming up over the next few days from State Fair Hound.
Today State Fair Hound introduces its new header photo, cropped from a shot taken on Labor Day, 2016 by Hound photographer Nick LoPresti. 
The previous header featured the most beautiful ride ever on our midway, Strates Shows’ wave swinger, also seen through Nick’s lens. Alas, Wades Shows doesn’t have a wave swinger, so photos will have to sustain us from here on out.
Those of us who have attended many New York State Fairs love renewing acquaintances with people we’ve seen working there year after year. At the same time we miss some fair regulars who are no longer there, for one reason or another.
Last year we posted tributes to antiques tool guru Nick Nichols, who cut back his touring schedule, excluding the Fair, and broom crafter Walt Thomas, who passed away, leaving his corner of the Agricultural Museum vacant.
We still miss the melodious voice and gracious manner of Bob Gibbons, longtime Fair announcer, and vendor Bob Hamley, who peddled roses, lemonade and popcorn at the back of the Chevy Court area for years.
This year, thick-cut pizza lovers will miss the Anna’s stand, which now joins such popular businesses as Buck’n’Bum, Xristou’s, Boom Boom, Paisano’s and the dog tag maker guy in the lore of State Fairs past. We also miss the presence of the James E. Strates Shows centerpiece ride, the Wave Swinger with its art deco styling and rotating light pattern.
No doubt you have your own memories of Fair people who were significant in your experiences. While no individual or business is indispensable to operation of the Fair, each has made a contribution to what it is now and for that we’re grateful.