Carnival companies and fair vendors have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and shutdown, just as thousands of businesses have. But they haven’t all completely closed up shop. The website of the Wade Shows, provider of the midway rides and games for the New York State Fair, lists a reduced, but existing number of fairs still scheduled.

In fact, the Delaware State Fair opened its 10-day run on July 23 with Wade providing the midway. According to the Delaware State Fair’s website, they’ve made significant changes to procedures. Their entire concert schedule was canceled and safety protocols are in force.

Meanwhile the Tennessee and North Carolina State Fairs were late scratches, while Wade is still booked for the Nebraska State Fair from Aug. 28 to Sep. 7 as well as several other major festivals in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. They’re going forward while maximizing caution, hoping no doubt, that it won’t lead to a spike in covid-19 cases.

Ultimately, those fairs may or may not go on. New York seems at this point to have a better grip on the outbreak than most other states. So if at least some states are successful in holding their event without major consequence, it will validate second guessing of Gov. Cuomo’s decision to cancel rather than   instituting precautions and forging ahead.

Given its timing and proximity to New York, a review of the Delaware Fair will be most instructive in analyzing whether the closing of the New York State Fair was justified. We’ll take a look at a later date.

Shopping malls open Friday with the approval of the State.

The Hound is wondering how shopping with throngs of people indoors meets safety standards, but food-stand dining, browsing the Iroquois Village, twirling on thrill rides and strolling around in the open air at the New York State Fair doesn’t.

Fair Director Troy Waffner told local media outlets that his staff is planning for some events to give devastated Fair fans a taste of the fun they’re missing with the Fair canceled this year.

While many deride the decision to close–rightly so–let’s hope there is some redemption in those promised activities.

New York’s dictatorial governor announced on Monday that he is killing the 2020 New York State Fair.

New Yorkers who have sacrificed tremendously and lost much to the current health crisis are devastated by the unwarranted surrender of our greatest event.

The facts support the substantial progress New York has made, especially upstate where the Fair is staged annually. The opportunity to hold the festival mostly outdoors made it possible to minimize the risk to patrons and workers (See Out of the Box, June 27). But Cuomo lacks the vision and will to fashion the modified-but-fun event so badly needed by deprived and depressed citizens.

Politically, Cuomo values his image as our savior, drawing a stark contrast to the psychopath in the White House when it comes to pandemic response. But we’ll all pay the price emotionally and economically for a canceled Fair.

We can just sit around the house wearing masks forever, but that’s no way to live. While there’s no justifying reckless disregard for the undeniable risks, careful planning can make the Fair relatively safe, just as it has allowed movement toward normal life in so many areas without significant negative affect.

Labor Day will arrive on time and it will be tough to face without having had the State Fair to soften the blow of summer ending. Maybe Chevy Court concerts and elbow-to-elbow crowded buildings were too risky, but a modified Fair was possible, if only the Gov had made the effort.

Devotees of the New York State Fair were troubled this week to hear our illustrious governor express doubt that the Fair can open this year because of the pandemic. Come on Andy, the classic, traditional State Fair may be a long shot, but there are provisions that could be made to allow some form of the Fair to open and we deserve your best effort to make sure it does. In terms of ideas, the Hound, as always, has some.

First, a limit on attendance could be set by selling tickets that are date-specific, capping the number sold for any given day. That way, you would never have 100,000 people attending on one day. The maximum attendance number would be regulated by the number of tickets sold or distributed for each day of the Fair, thus reducing person-to-person contact to lessen possible virus spread.

Next, take advantage of the outdoor space on the grounds. There is data that shows that outdoor transmission of the virus is much less common than indoor. Thus, limiting or even eliminating much of the indoor activity significantly reduces risk. Some of the indoor exhibits and attractions could be moved outdoors, perhaps under tents. That could include Center of Progress vendors, Horticulture Building displays, Science and Industry Building health agencies, Youth Building exhibitors and others.

What about the enormously popular sand sculpture and butter sculpture? You couldn’t do those outdoors, but how about the wide-open spaces of the Expo Center? Construct the statues in the middle of the building and route one-way traffic lines around them.

Speaking of lines, there could be traffic control set up throughout the grounds to reduces face-to-face contact. That includes outdoor food vendors. Dining alfresco is allowed in restaurants, so why not the Fair?

Livestock barns would need to be spaced out, with walkers limited to one-way lines around the stalls or cages.

Wades Shows would have a big job to keep rides sanitized, but you have to believe they could do it in order to keep their operation going and make a few bucks.

If absolutely necessary, the Fair could be delayed and held later, say September. But that’s about it, cold weather will be arriving, regardless of everything else changing.

No doubt, we would miss some of our favorite Fair features, but with planning, and modifications the Fair can be held. It’s worth the effort and sacrifices to make it happen. So save the depressing television interviews and get to work, Gov. There’s a State Fair to run.

The days are counting down to opening day–58 days away–and the ticking is growing louder. Still no word has come as to the fate of the 2020 New York State Fair. Does that mean there’s actually been no final decision on what will happen when Aug. 21 arrives? 

It certainly seems that if the Governor were planning to pull the plug–a major mistake, but possible–the time has come to say so. But the fact that he hasn’t cancelled would lead one to believe that he won’t. He can’t say that the situation is getting worse. To the credit of the hardworking public officials at various levels, medical pros and the cooperation of our citizens, Central New York has shown impressive progress in holding off the pandemic that many states see worsening.

If we saw more illnesses and more danger, there may be reason to take a drastic step. But if there hasn’t yet been reason to kill the dream, it doesn’t seem to be heading our way.

The Onondaga County Executive is even expressing optimism that the reopening will soon be expanded in our region.

Let’s stop avoiding the question and confirm that it’s time to get ready for another great Fair.

The days are ticking toward the scheduled opening of the 2020 New York State Fair. The Governor hasn’t said whether the State is planning to go forward, even as many county fairs, the Syracuse Nationals and countless other festivals have cancelled due to the health crisis.

Current data suggests that there’s a good chance that the Fair, slated to open on Aug. 21, can go on with minimal risk.

Consider this: Onondaga County, with a population of over 460,000 residents, has confirmed fewer than 2200 cases of coronavirus. That’s a very small number of cases for a county this size.

Of course, part of the reason for the low count is the tight restrictions that have helped to minimize the spread. On the other hand, those most vulnerable, especially nursing home patients, make up a disproportionately high number of the total count. The number on the streets is significantly lower.

With the entire region essentially shut down, the Fair hasn’t made any announcements in the past few weeks of acts booked for the Fair, especially at the major concert venues. Meanwhile, most concerts scheduled at other venues are postponed or canceled.

Some events have decided to hold “virtual” versions of themselves, though sometimes it’s completely ridiculous. Certainly some traditional Fair entertainment could be streamed on the website, while other events–a fireworks show, for instance–could be held live with people spaced far apart.

But a virtual Fair wouldn’t work. If you can’t stuff your face with fried food, pet a cow, watch the Iroquois dance or put your kids on rides, it’s not the State Fair.

The reaction of citizens to the phased reopening has been enthusiastic and it seems to be going well. People need to get out and enjoy life if it can be done in relative safety. That’s what the State Fair is all about and why it’s so important to let the show go on.

Analysis continues, but from The Hound’s perspective the New York State Fair, perhaps with modifications, is vital to the psyche of our community. Cancellation would be overly cautious and a devastating blow to the spirit of New York.

The governor is setting an excessively high bar for what it would take to be sure that the New York State Fair opens on time this year. His pessimism is infuriating, considering that opening day is still 16 weeks away, 17 weeks if they use the traditional opening day instead of going five days earlier as has been announced.

In The Hound’s view, the 2020 Fair must go on.

This whole pandemic mess has caused a lot of pain, most acutely experienced by those who have been infected, some tragically.That is understood. But can we really cancel the State Fair, which would likely be the final crushing blow to a community that may be coming out of a summer without restaurant dining, movies, beaches, festivals, sports and concerts?

There must be a way to rescue a little of the joy and spirit to which we all look forward every year. Of course, we’re all hoping for some breakthroughs on testing and treatment. Beyond that, creativity and intelligent planning must be employed to rescue this Fair. And they have to start now.

If Cuomo wants to get serious about getting ready for an August Fair opening, he could begin by cutting back on his daily marathon television appearance. He repeats himself consistently and takes much longer than necessary to get to a point. He could instead be working on a plan to get ready for the New York State Fair.

This year’s Fair could be radically different if necessary. It could be modified in length or size. Maybe some events would be cancelled, while some go on.

There may have to be adjustments and precautions, but 17 weeks is a long time to figure that out and prepare. The economic impact of the Fair on the State, particularly Central New York, is enormous. The vendors, the farmers, restaurateurs, temporary workers, musicians and the midway company all depend on those two weeks of booming business.

Just as important, people will likely be so emotionally hurting by August that they won’t be staying home regardless of what government leaders tell them. The will be desperate for activity and recreation and willing to accept some level of risk to save their sanity.

The New York Sate Fair is more than a festival. It’s an essential part of our community’s spirit and economy. Finding a way to make sure it goes on is a very difficult undertaking, but well worth it.

Our beloved New York State Fairgrounds is pretty much a ghost town these days with all activities closed down. As discouraging as the current health crisis is, this is a good time to remember great times in Geddes and to look ahead to happier times for those of us who love the Fair.

At State Fair Hound, we invite you to settle down in a safe location, scroll back through previous posts and enjoy the photos and stories.

We wish you good health and a quick recovery from the trials of this difficult time while we look forward to our next State Fair. We also send thoughts to those who entertain us, serve us that great Fair food and lift our spirits every summer as businesses nationwide struggle. See you soon.

The massive Exposition Center that opened on the grounds of the New York State Fair in 2018 has proven a major success with off-season bookings of a wide variety of events and shows. It certainly appears to be well on its way to justifying the $62 million cost of construction. As the largest venue of its kind in this region of the US, it has consistently attracted promoters who need the versatility and wide open spaces it provides. This weekend, for instance, the annual alpaca show will move in for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, Fair planners are still experimenting with how to use it during the 13-day Fair run, this year laying out a turf field for soccer and lacrosse where the ice rink had been in its debut season.

As noted in earlier posts, it’s also a popular respite from hot or rainy weather and a comfortable resting spot for tired Fair visitors. But there must be a way to take advantage of its cavernous size and versatility beyond what’s been done so far.

It would be a nice spot for the Coronas Circus, currently performed under the traditional, but often unbearably hot, big top. But Fair brass is reluctant to bring in a lot of animals, who undoubtedly would do what animals do, in the nice clean hall.

It would seems that a performance venue of some sort would be the logical choice. Maybe it’s just a matter of finding the right act(s).

Meanwhile, it’s been announced that the Winter Fair event that debuted successfully last year will return Feb 7 through 9 with rides, food and entertainment. Watch for details in coming weeks.

By the way, if you go to see the alpacas on Saturday, stop by and lend your support to the Spay it Forward event in the Science and Industry Building. It’s great chance to help out needy animals in a fun way.

Now a month after the wrap-up of a record run of the New York State Fair, wonderful memories of a dazzling 13 days are tainted somewhat by backed-up traffic leading to bulging parking lots creating headaches at peak times.

You sure can’t criticize Fair management for doing all they can to attract as many patrons as possible. Certainly  every vendor on the grounds wants to see as many potential customers as they can get. While the recently-expanded grounds can handle having 100,000-plus attend, it’s increasingly clear that the parking lots have their limits and that exceeding those limits creates significant pain for those attending the Fair.

The Willis Avenue lot was added to ease the crunch. It’s a good idea to add spaces, but Willis Ave. is a two-lane street with one entrance to the lot, so you have to expect backed up traffic on busy days. And since it’s a mile from the main gate, they needed to shuttle patrons down the boulevard to gate 6, about 1 1/2 miles away, thus adding to the crush passing the gates. Adding another access point to the lot would be a great idea, if it’s possible.

Speaking of gate 6, buses entering there from the orange lot or the off-site lots drove down to the new drop-off spot, which was something less than a resounding success this year. But remember that it was the first year for a new system, one designed to increase safety.

File it under the heading of growing pains and hope for future improvement after some adjustments.

Improved efficiency of parking staff would help and more parking space is certainly needed as lots sometimes reached capacity, making for a disastrous situation. There may be ways to increase the number of lots as Willis Avenue did this year.

Where and how are the big questions, but we have to hope something can be worked out. .