State Fair Hound

An independent view of the New York State Fair

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On the Trail, Day 3–Pride Day, Fishing Day

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On August 21, 2025

In On the trail

Wednesday the first state fair in America to host an official Pride Day, the New York State Fair,  honors the LGBTQ community with a parade and other festivities throughout the day.

Later, you can witness approximately 100 people as they pledge their allegiance to the United States and become Americans. The ceremony will be held at the Art & Home Center.

Also today (and again on Aug. 29), the Department of Environmental Conservation is hosting free fishing event from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the pond near Suburban Park. No fishing license is required and loaner rods are available. All ages and abilities are welcome.

Today’s Tip–Cool It

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On August 21, 2025

In Insider tips

The 2024 New York State Fair arrives as a sweltering Central New York summer winds down. We can’t predict Fair weather with certainty, but the persistent heat that dogged us this summer may not relent as Labor Day approaches.

Even moderately warm days can feel hot on the Fairgrounds. When there’s a little humidity and penetrating sunshine, it’s best to have a strategy for enduring steamy conditions while enjoying the Fair.

Major buildings are air conditioned. That wasn’t always the case and senior Fair patrons remember the unbearable conditions on toasty days prior to building systems upgrades. AC is great. But when you’re outdoors, in barns or under tents, even a moderately hot day can be tough.

Wearing light clothing and drinking non-alcoholic beverages can help. Look for cooling station sprinklers around the grounds for a quick refresher. Smart fans wait for Chevy Court shows under the shade of umbrellas. The Iroquois Village and the State Parks grounds are among the best shady lunch spots.

Timing your Fair activity is a good idea, Try to enjoy your outdoor activities early in the day or after dark. As always, planning ahead and arriving with a strategy will serve you well.

On the Trail, Day 2–Student Youth Day

By

On August 20, 2025

In Kids' Stuff, On the trail

Thursday is Student Youth Day at the New York State Fair as kids 18 years of age and under are admitted free. Their spunky energy and youthful ideas go a long way to making the Fair fabulous, from animal barns to 4-H exhibits, performance stages and vendor staff. When they’re not on the job, these youngsters make the most of their off time by getting crazy on the midway and wandering the grounds.

It’s also Agriculture Career Day for young people to learn about a wide variety of Agriculture career options and connect directly with ag industry representatives.

Today’s Tip–Playing Tag

By

On August 20, 2025

In Kids' Stuff

Lost kid tags are available at every gate, so remember to attach one to each of your children. It's a good idea to have a few on hand at home so you can have them filled out legibly and tied onto the little ones when you enter. That way the excited kids won't have to hold still while the parents get them ready.

Lost kid tags are available at every gate, so remember to attach one to each of your children. It’s a good idea to have a few on hand at home so you can have them filled out legibly and tied onto the little ones when you enter. That way the excited kids won’t have to hold still while the parents get them ready.

On the Trail, Day One—Opening Day

By

On August 19, 2025

In On the trail

The time to head on out to New York’s biggest party has arrived. Wednesday is opening day of the 2025 New York State Fair. Gates open at 9 a.m.

The same infuriating no-cash policy persists, so be prepared to pay admission and parking with your technology. But vendors who sell that fabulous Fair food are happy to accept cash–and why not? It’s money!

Traditionally, day one is Governor’s Day, so watch for her at the nearest sausage stand.

There will be several plenty of  wrinkles to go along with annual favorites. The popular appearance of New York’s llama population runs from opening day through the first Saturday before the woolly Andes Mountain natives depart to make room for goats and pigs.

Chart your course ahead of time to maximize your Fair fun. See you there.

Party Time

By

On August 19, 2025

In Around the grounds

One day to go!

The New York State Fair opens Wednesday.

Tuesday is your last chance to get discounted ride wristbands.

Plan ahead so you don’t miss your traditional favorites or new features, which include woolly mammoths, performing dogs, a mentalist and a fortune teller/magician.

Also new this year, but not new as Fair features, are stilt walkers and a lumberjack show.

Country Counted Out

By

On August 18, 2025

In Concert critiques

It’s the latest chapter of a familiar story. Romeo Entertainment Group, the first-year State Fair concert booking agency, has fallen right into line with the usual tone-deaf incompetence by bringing in a series of soulless country music pretenders while completely neglecting fans who love and respect genuine country artists. It isn’t that classic country acts aren’t available to play Central New York. Multiple Grammy-winning western swing band Asleep At The Wheel (shown in a photo by Paul Wakker) played the Homer Center For the Arts, just north of Cortland, on Aug. 13, while country Hall-of-Fame member Ricky Skaggs and his bluegrass act Kentucky Thunder will play there soon, followed by widely-respected singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash. Down the Thruway, the Erie County Fair brought in a country triple-bill headlined by Tracy Lawrence.

You could draw the conclusion that the light attendance at Chevy Court for last year’s Crystal Gayle concert led to the Fair to shy away from vintage country acts, but one lukewarm response doesn’t justify intentional neglect of senior country fans, something that has been going on for years. If you read that the Fair has something for everyone on their concert schedule, don’t believe it.

Jam Packed

By

On August 17, 2025

In Insider tips

It looks like there will be two frustrating nights for Fair fans competing for access and parking with people coming in for a concert at the Mistake-By-The-Lake amphitheater. The Hound has been told that Fair administration thinks the status quo is acceptable. Of course, they aren’t the ones sitting in a line of traffic for an hour or two.

There’s been more than enough said on State Fair Hound about this issue. Two large events that depend upon the same roadways to enter the same lots for parking, running simultaneously will inevitably sow chaos. We’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again, this year on both Thursdays, Aug. 21 and Aug. 28. Try to avoid entering in late afternoon and early evening on those two days.

Ups and Downs

By

On August 4, 2025

In Around the grounds

A weekend visit to the New York State Fairgrounds revealed some preparations underway with opening day 17 days away. The exterior of the new sheep barn looks great as work continues to have it ready for its woolly inhabitants and Fair visitors when the gates open. Nearby, new horse stables are nearing completion.

Meanwhile, the Iroquois longhouse has been demolished. There may be time to rebuild before opening day and it wouldn’t be the first time a new one has been erected in the off-season, that having been accomplished before the 2011 Fair after the 2000 original collapsed in a storm. We hope to see a new one, if not this year, then next year for sure.

Mapping Your Fair Fun

By

On July 28, 2025

In Around the grounds

You can start mapping out your day at the New York State Fair as the daily schedules have been posted on the Fair website. There will surely be additions to come, but an early look at what’s on the bill includes some new faces and several encore acts, while a few performances from last year have been dropped.

Among the new acts are Zultar, who will read fortunes and perform sleight-of-hand and Jon Stetson, a mentalist.

Meanwhile, the inimitable Hilby is back for the second half of the Fair, while the immensely popular Hawk Creek Wildlife Center will land with their feathered predators and Circus Hollywood takes the center ring three times daily.

Among those not on the bill this year are musical acts Bandoloni and the Strolling Piano. The Groovy Guy will also miss this year. Fair Director Julie LaFave revealed in a recent TV interview that there’s a new feature taking over the Exposition Center for the now-extinct dinosaur show, that announcement coming soon. So far, no word on Sea Lion Splash.

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