Now nearing the mid-point of a Fair that has gone very smoothly, aside from unsettled weather at the beginning, you can’t argue, it’s been a great ride. As the slogan says, there’s a nice blend of new attractions and old favorites. That balance is crucial to making customers happy. One woman we encountered on day one, ventured a negative comment, something like, “This fair isn’t as good as before.” That was at 11:55 on opening day. The Fair had been open for under four hours. We’re betting that she’s changed her mind by now.
This would be a good time to review the Fair visitors guide and the website (nysfair.org) to check off everything you’ve done and everywhere you’ve gone and, more importantly, what you have yet to do and where you have yet to go. You don’t want to make your final visit before realizing you missed some great attractions and events. Check ‘em off so you don’t miss anything at the New York State Fair.
Peter Noone charmed an overflow Chevy Court crowd on Monday afternoon, interspersing good humor with great old songs that brought smiles to the overheated senior day crowd. Between Herman’s Hermits’ hits, Noone and four Hermits played a few numbers by other acts, including a dead-on, only-slightly facetious version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”
Still youthful and energetic, Noone said he sings the songs just as he did when he was 17, proving it repeatedly with everything from “Wonderful World” to “I’m Henry the Eighth, I am” to “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.” He garnered laughs telling the audience the band got lost on the way to the Fairgrounds, but were OK with winding up in Liverpool. His best lines recognized his own senior status and that of the grandparents listening, at one point announcing they had 8-track tapes for sale. Of course they couldn’t compare with his dynamic live show.
Many Fair visitors push through the turnstiles knowing what they’re going to eat, which sights they plan to see and which game they want to try. Some come armed with an all-day ride pass and coupons to save money on Restaurant Row.
But when it comes to the merchandise being sold from one end of the grounds to the other, vendors court buyer impulse to make a buck. For some reason, people who would never wear a cowboy hat are tempted at one of the western wear shops. Others paw through pet supplies, sunglasses, toys, gadgets, hand-made crafts, stuffed animals and souvenirs.
Longtime traveling shops like Dancing Bear offer a variety of exotic treasures and sports memorabilia shops zero in on fans who see their favorite team’s logo on a cap, shirt or decoration. It may not be something you really need, but the Fair is the perfect place to overlook need in favor of impulse. Good thing it’s only once a year.
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