Cows aren’t the only animals milked at the New York State Fair. Dairy goats have their own spot in the livestock barn they share with pigs and llamas. Goats are milked in a glass enclosure with signage to educate the public on the industry and products.

These guys are darn cute too. It’s fun to see them standing on hind legs to peer out from their pens or munching their feed.

If you’re feeling daring, you probably can get away with petting a head or two. Judging takes place in neighboring pens.

There are plenty of reasons to visit the Fairgrounds in autumn.

The handsome Gatsby competed this past weekend in the Stepping Stone Horse Show. Check the Fair website for more horse shows coming up.

The Empire Alpaca Extravaganza runs Friday through Sunday. It’s free to attend and a chance for a close-up look at the fascinating South American beasts.

If you can’t go a week without visiting the New York State Fairgrounds, you don’t have to. There are horses shows continuing into fall, showcasing as variety of breeds in various events featuring both adults and youth. This weekend it’s pintos, followed later by Morgans, quarter horses and others in the Coliseum and further down in the outdoor show ring.

One of the Restaurant Row stands often opens to serve horse owners and fans, so you may be able to feed your fair food appetite while you’re there. Details are listed on the Fair website.

Fortunately, you can get there without the ordeal of a traffic jam, driving right onto the grounds where you can park and attend for free, so saddle up and head out.

Aside from the food, there’s probably nothing more popular at the Fair than the animals.

State Fair Hound photographer Nick LoPresti snapped these lovely creatures on his travels around the grounds.

Last year’s Equine Avenue has been replaced by this year’s World of Horses and the white ten has moved to the roadway between gates three and four, across from the basketball court.

It’s still all about horses, with educational displays, demonstrations and, best of all, a chance to pat and pet the friendly animals inside, like Ace, a Percheron gelding shown here.

A new building dedicated to equine events is due for next year and State Fair Hound would love to see the World of Horses get a larger, better-equipped permanent location as part of the upgrade. The exhibit’s popularity with visitors merits first-class treatment.