With Syracuse Nationals weekend in the rear view mirror, final preparations are underway for the opening of the New York State Fair on Sep. 21. The car buffs’ paradise is a great tune-up, pun intended, for hosting Fair fans in what should be very substantial numbers just about a month from now when gates open for our annual favorite.

Sprucing up always includes painting, cleaning, repairing and building, and there are always a few new wrinkles that Fair regulars will notice. In recent years, there have been some great permanent changes, starting with the refurbishment of food stands along Restaurant Row. Bosco’s, P-Z-O’s, Horan’s and Danny D’s are among the longtime vendors to get new buildings in an ongoing project to improve Fair infrastructure.

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Of course there have been other positives, certainly including the stunning remodeling of the International Building. Our favorite has been the twin brick patios flanking Chevy Court (seen here in a photo by Nick LoPresti) that are both gorgeous and functional.

We’ve heard that this is the year that another patio will debut, this one in front of the International. The Hound will be out on the grounds in the coming weeks, sniffing out what’s going on in terms of infrastructure. We’ll be reporting back to let you know what’s new for this year on the grounds, so please check back often for some scoops and maybe even some photos.