Wednesday is Opening Day of the 2023 New York State Fair. That annual first, fresh look at the shiny  clean, bright Fairgrounds is always exhilarating and this year also comes with a new director, Sean Hennessey having been given the assignment on Monday.

We’re still trying to get back to what had been considered normal operation, though there are still vendor changes initially caused by pandemic restrictions and staffing shortfalls, while new wrinkles have come up that are attributable to increased fees and the rising cost of doing business.

Once again this year, you’ll be able to beat the traffic and the heat by passing through the gates as early as 9 a.m. each morning. It looks like this year buildings will be closing at 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, still 10 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays.

You’ll need credit cards or prepaid credits at entrances, unfortunately. Same goes in parking lots, except where EZ Pass is scanned, while vendors almost universally welcome cash.

Entering early is a good way to start your day, to watch the set-up and feast on breakfast Fair-style until major buildings open at 10 a.m. Traditionally, the first day of the Fair is also Governor’s Day and this year Kathy Hochul is expected to arrive as the state’s first elected woman governor.

The perennially astonishing sand sculpture will be under construction in the Center of Progress, so if you enjoy watching the artists work, this is a good day to visit. Meanwhile, the heralded arrival of Dinosaur Expedition will bring animated, lifelike dinosaurs to terrorize Expo Center visitors.

The limited appearance of those amazing llamas will be in the goat and swine barn early in the Fair. Though the beautiful wool-bearers are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, New York farmers have found that they’re amazingly adaptable to local pastures. The llamas’ visit features competitions and special events before they’re  herded out Saturday afternoon, so stop in early to see these stunning creatures up close. Don’t miss the wild and hilarious llama costume contest scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Dog lovers can also take in the 4-H dog obedience competition in the Coliseum, opening day only.

While visitors to the New York State Fair have their traditional favorite exhibits and events, every year the itinerary of special performers and entertainers staging shows around the grounds varies. Musical acts, stunt performers, talented animals and rib-tickling comedy provide a wide variety of free-of-charge shows sprinkled liberally throughout the day.

One marquee attraction this year will be the return of wet and wild performances by Sea Lion Splash in the Family Fun Zone. The chubby, mustached mammals returned in 2022 after several years away and drew huge crowds. Their encore hit the stage three times every weekday, four on weekends. Escape artist Lady Houdini will break out at 3 p.m and 7 p.m. daily in Central Park–the grassy area between the midway and the barns.

New this year is the debut of the Asian Village, which will run from Opening Day through the first Saturday, August 26 to recognize the contributions, history, and experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Festivities will include traditional Asian cuisines to sample and singing, drumming and the Lion Dance—a traditional dance performed at celebrations and festivals with performers working together in stylized lion costumes. Plans also call for a Fashion Show with models showcasing attire representing 20 different nations.

The Asian Village is located in the western end of the grounds, near the Youth Building. On the first day of the Fair, Asian Village will run from 9 am to 10 pm. Look for a complete schedule of events on the Fair website.

Several food stands along Broadway and Restaurant Row present bands and solo acts that are often surprisingly talented, adding an element of night club atmosphere to your Fair dinner.

Check the schedule and stay alert for appearances by such terrific wandering entertainers as Bandoloni, the Strolling Piano and Hilby who have become Fair regulars, something to which newcomer Groovy Guy may aspire.

While the New York State Fair has in recent years expanded to 12, then 13, then 18 days, one scheduling tradition has carried through. The finale always falls on Labor Day. That’s Monday, of course.

Unions march, rally and celebrate their special day while everybody tries to squeeze all the fair fun possible into the last day.

The painful cancellation of 2020 makes this last chance day even more special.

Fade to Black

When the major buildings close at 9 p.m.– one hour earlier than usual–the 2021 Fair will begin to shut down.

It’s a good day to look for bargains being offered by vendors with surplus product.

Concert times for the Chevy Park shows have been moved up to 1 pm. and 6 p.m., respectively.

With the final curtain falling on the Fairgrounds, you have to admit, the 2021 New York State Fair was one for the books.

It had to be after the heartbreak that left Fair fans out in the cold last year.

The cows are headed home to their familiar barns, carnies are preparing to dismantle the rides and vendors have one or two last exhausting days to close up, tear down and pack up.

While the big story this year is certainly the Fair’s comeback, there were many highlights and newsworthy stories from the longest New York State Fair in history. State Fair Hound will take a closer look in coming days.

Those of us who love the New York State Fair hold vivid memories of all of the times spent between Chevrolet Court and the New York Experience Grounds, but especially in this year-like-no-other with the joyful, though weird, return of a beloved event.

Cock-a-doodling

Rooster crowing competition will continue Sunday and Monday with finals in the poultry building.

Those feathered alarm clocks will strut their stuff at 4 p.m. both days in one of the noisiest events at the New York State Fair.

Late Entries

It pays to enter the New York State Fairgrounds with a plan of how  to enjoy your odyssey inside as the last few hours tick down.

If you need some ideas you may have left off your checklist, these tried-and-true activities are worthy of your consideration.

Play a game of I Got It.

Lick a maple ice cream cone while relaxing on a bench in front of the Horticulture Building.

Watch a modern dance performance on the Pan African Village stage.

Try a food you’ve never tasted.

Test out a mattress in the Center of Progress.

Watch the Orbiter gyrate at night.

Visit the authentic longhouse in the Iroquois Village.

Let a beautiful butterfly land on your nectar stick in the Horticulture Building.

Shake hands with a vet at the UAW’s Veteran’s Memorial tent.

Catch a show in the Latino Village.

Gobble some freshly-fried doughnuts at P-Z-O’s or Bosco’s.

Get a caricature drawn as a Fair souvenir.

Pet a newborn calf in the dairy cow birthing tent.

Sample New York State wine from a local vendor.

Tap your feet to the rockin’ sounds of Bandoloni.

Watch goats being milked.

Cheer on the enthusiastic kids at the Sports Activity Center.

You can enjoy these Fair specials without spending a lot of money as most of them are free.

Grab’n’go

Speaking of free, if you search around, you’ll find quite a few giveaways available at the New York State Fair.

This government employee was giving away tote bags, one of the most common items up for grabs at a recent Fair. But you can also get pens, shirts, campaign-style pins, bumper stickers, high-tech gizmos and cooking gadgets, among other things.

The Center of Progress is ground zero for giveaways, but the sharp-eyed Fair fan can load up at many locations around the Grounds, so be alert for free stuff.

Just Fur Fun

Many visitors to the livestock barns at the New York state Fair want to enhance their experience by going beyond looking at the animals to actually touching the critters. Sometimes that’s OK and sometimes it’s not.

Exhibitors have advised over the years that certain animals are better candidates than others for stroking and it pays to be aware which ones are friendly and which may nip. A good rule to observe is to keep your hands in your pockets while touring the poultry barn. Though the answer to a traditional riddle is “No, chickens don’t have teeth,” they may clamp their beaks onto a finger, providing a painful souvenir. The rabbits, who are usually housed in the same building, may look cuddly, but they are also known to bite.

Conversely, sheep don’t generally bite and have soft wool to pet. Unfortunately, sheep are generally absent from the Fair this year, but you may run into one or two curly tops around the grounds. Goats may also be good candidates for a quick touch.

The last word is it’s always a good idea to target specialized exhibits where the animal is offered for close encounters or, at the very least, to ask the owner before touching.

Chain Gang

Art is on display at the New York State Fair, with sculptures of sand, butter and cheese. There’s none wilder, though than chain saw sculpting.

It’s really pretty incredible to watch the men and women artists guide their roaring tools through blocks of wood, sending chips flying in all directions. The final results, often animals, turn into modern totem poles, especially after they’re painted. It’s the type of show you only see at the Fair, unless you attend a lumberjack show.

Creation of the saw statues is among the dozens of free shows, but those in attendances may be tempted to purchase a completed artwork to take home. They would certainly liven up your yard or deck.

Tanks a Lot

There are many reasons that fish interest people. They’re eaten, caught for sport, kept as pets and studied for their biological significance.

That must be why the small building in the colonnade, home the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, attracts crowds to gape at aquariums filled with various species of fish. Bearded catfish, glistening rainbow trout, lanky bass and many other fish breeds swim in endless circles, allowing Fair visitors to get a rare close-up look. There are also other aquatic critters in the tanks.

For some reason, young kids are often so mesmerized by the sea life that they actually stand still for a few minutes.

History Comes Alive

The People of the Longhouse are honored on Friday at the New York State Fair. Their colorful and culturally-significant dances are one of the Fair’s beloved traditions.

The agricultural displays, handmade artwork and vintage artifacts make the Iroquois Village sacred ground at the Fair. Enjoy a meal while there as authentic Haudenosaunee cuisine and home-cooked specialties are served daily in the village cookhouse.

Horse Show-offs

Though there have been many program changes in livestock competitions at the New York State Fair, there are beautiful and athletic horses competing for honors in the Coliseum from now through Sunday.

While taking a seat on the metal bleachers lets you enjoy the shows, usually free-of-charge, alert Fair wanderers can get a behind-the-scenes look at animal care and preparation for the equine events at several other locations. The exercise ring next to the horse barn is a great spot to marvel at the graceful movement of these amazing creatures as they get a workout.

Nearby, there’s a concrete pad where horse owners frequently bathe their steeds.

Night Magic

After sunset, the New York State Fair glows brightly, from the stage lights of Chevy Court to the flash and fire of midway rides large and small.

There are widely-scattered pockets of darkness, notably the State Parks region and some of the other grassy areas, but you’re never far from bright spots, at least until you cross over to parking lots.

There’s something magical and exciting about the sea of colors and blinding neon glow illuminating the grounds. Partiers populate the midway taverns and the wine court, live bands crank it up and swarms of teens line up for the most popular rides.

Conversely, the kiddie ride area winds down around sunset, changing the character of the Fairgrounds, especially the midway, into a rowdier environment where beer outsells cotton candy and cool night air beckons people leaving buildings into a wilder landscape.

Attention!

Thursday is Armed Forces Day at the Fair with active and retired military women and men enjoying free admission and a featured role in special events.

Mango Mussolini says they’re losers, but the American people, including those here in New York, know better.

One For the Books

Thursday may seem like any other terrific day at the New York State Fair, but it holds historical significance as the first time that the Fair has opened for a 14th consecutive day.

That’s because this year it expands to an 18-day event. That was the plan for 2020, but–well, you know.

So this year we make the leap to the longest Fair in our state’s history, with Thursday being the first time we’ve exceeded 13 days. Of course, the last four days will also hold the distinction of being the first 15th day, 16th day, 17th day and 18th day, respectively.

Go out for more memorable State Fair days Thursday through Monday and while you’re having a great time, you–along with tens of thousands of other patrons–will also be making history.

Empire State of Mind

While great-tasting food beckons from every corner of the New York State Fair, one locale best demonstrates the characteristic tastes of the Empire State—the Horticulture Building.

As you enter beneath glorious facade, you’ll find diverse displays of New York products including maple products, honey, apples, beer and a small grocery store of packaged sauces, snacks, drinks and meals, all produced within New York.

Nearby vendors offer samples and stage demonstrations.

The eastern end of the building is where you can buy the famous one-buck-spud, perfectly baked white or sweet potatoes. It’s a Fair fav that always attracts long, slow-moving lines.

Wander-ful

There’s so much great entertainment at the New York State Fair that you don’t always have to go looking for a show. Sometimes the show comes to you.

Wandering entertainment frequently pops up as you stroll, sometimes near Chevy Court, along Restaurant Row, near the Coliseum or just about anywhere you walk.

Acrobats, stilt-walkers, the fabulous Hilby or the rockin’ Bandoloni may be about to start a performance, so stay alert for a chance to enjoy a free show. This year Rock-it the Robot and a strolling piano act join the touring show lineup.

Check your daily program or the Fair website if you want to increase your odds of catching a pop-up act.

Look Out Below

While soaring along on the Broadway SkyLiner or flying aloft on another ride, take the opportunity to look off in the distance over Fair territory and bey0nd to the surrounding countryside.

It’s an impressive sight, demonstrating how massive the Fair is and reminding that the Fairgrounds are wedged into a thriving community.

You may see factories, railroad tracks, hills, wooded areas and even houses in the distance.

Hang on as needed, but if possible take some photos while you’re soaring.

Crushing Candy Cravings

If you get a craving for sweets while wandering the New York State Fair, there are usually one or two tents that offer wide varieties of candy by the pound.

Hard candies, chewy nuggets, retro chocolate and plenty of other choices can be scooped up and weighed for customers to munch while walking or to take home.

Families with kids would likely find the sweet treats an economical way to buy for a crowd.

Where’s the Beef?

Celebrate beef day at the New York State Fair on Tuesday with a visit to the beef cattle pole barn. You’ll come away impressed with the muscular bovines in residence.

Check the Fair website for a wide-ranging schedule of cattle judging  that takes place in the center ring of the building.

Access is easy as trams stop just across the road.

Go West

Although the New York State Fair takes place at the edge of a northeastern city, one of the most popular types of souvenir items sold on the grounds has always been western wear.

For many years Buck’n’Bum was a mainstay, selling hats, boots, belts and clothing from tents erected just before the Fair started. While Buck rode off into the sunset some years ago, you still see vendors at every Fair hawking cowboy gear to tenderfoot customers.

Of course, sellers trying to link sales pitches to country acts playing the Fair have been short-changed recently as country shows have been few and far between. But there are still apparently enough shoppers to keep them in the saddle.

Sure, you can buy western goods on the internet, but you really need to try on boots and it’s fun to browse, so impulse sales drive a lot of the transactions completed.

High Point

After all of the recent changes to the infrastructure of the New York State Fair, one long term fixture of the skyline still looms above.

The fire tower that had been erected overlooking the State Park Nature Trail is now its only remnant. While the trail and neighboring log cabin have been converted for use by the State Police as part of its expanded exhibit space, the metal tower remains, most likely because it takes up little space and removal would be a major project.

As far as we know, the tower isn’t used for anything, but it’s nice to have an old landmark to remind of the days of the grandstand, racetrack and trackside lineup of food stands.

The view from the tower would no doubt be spectacular, but probably unsafe, so it remains locked up tight, still standing silent sentry after decades above the Fairgrounds.

Monday is Law Enforcement Day with active and retired police officers receiving free admission by showing their credentials at the gates. There will be a ceremony at Noon at the Veteran’s Memorial. Vintage police vehicles are on display in the State Trooper area, though they won’t roll on parade this year. There are often opportunities to pat a police horse in the nearby grassy yard.

An Ocean Away From Amazon

Shoppers on the lookout for unusual, exotic gifts or souvenirs may enjoy spending time browsing the Pan African Village. Clothes, jewelry, cosmetics and toys are heavily stocked under tents near the food stands.

If you’re looking for authenticity, you may want to inspect items for country of origin, but you’re certain to find some products that aren’t readily available at you neighborhood department store.

The village is a great place to start your holiday shopping or to find something to remind you of a great day at the New York State Fair.

Kitchen Views

Most of the food you buy at the New York State Fair is prepared within sight of customers and it can be almost as much fun to watch the creation as it is to eat it.

The speed and skill that these vendors have developed over years of traveling the carnival route make their work a real show, kind of a live action version of Carnival Eats.

Not only that, you may be able to gain some insight into how to make your favorite Fair cuisine at home, though you aren’t likely to have the specialized equipment the pros use.

But you really can fry dough at home.

What A Sap

One of the largest vendor exhibits at the New York State Fair is dedicated to the sweet and sticky sap that flows from New York’s state tree, the sugar maple, and all of the wonderful products made from it. The Empire State is a national leader in volume and quality of the popular natural sweetener.

The big corner stand in the Horticulture Building is maple central with ice cream, candy, popcorn, coffee and of course, gallons of syrup available to hungry Fair fans.

Displays cases exhibit the ribbon-winning products in several categories

Sand and Deliver

Everybody who makes the New York State Fair an annual ritual has a few traditional favorite exhibits they have to see before their day is complete. You’d have to believe that the remarkable sand sculpture, this year in the Expo Center, makes as many top ten lists as anything.

And why not? These skilled artists actually sculpt famous human faces–people you can actually recognize–out of sand. It’s unbelievable.

There always seems to be a crowd surrounding the mountain, taking photos or just gawking.

Be sure to walk completely around it. There’s always a surprise at every turn.

Hang Up and Hold On

The New York State Fair is in many ways a community, subject to the same trends as other communities across the Empire State and the nation.

So it’s no surprise that there are times that walking traffic on the midway, in the buildings and really anywhere on the grounds can be disrupted by a pedestrian staring at a cell phone.

For some reason, it can be especially annoying at the Fair, maybe because there’s so much to see by keeping your head up. And  bumping and jostling in the more crowded areas can be caused by a phone-obsessed walker blocking the flow of the crowd.

You can check your messages or catch up on the latest news anytime.

Stash your phone and enjoy your time marveling at the Fair.