With the annual concert by Herman’s Hermits featuring charismatic singer Peter Noone finished,  the New York State Fair approaches the halfway point.

PETER 3The first six days have gone smoothly with weather good and spirits high. The headlining appearance of the Dinosaur Expedition in the Exposition Center has been predictably popular, while traditional favorites from the Sea Lions Splash to the Iroquois dances, Hawk Creek birds and the Circus Hollywood have been filling bleachers.

Fair fans love a bargain, so buck-a-spud potato eaters are lining up as always, while quarters are being plunked down at the milk bar and dropped into Footsie-Wootsie slots. Parents are keeping costs down by guiding their kids to great free entertainment, starting with those dinosaurs and sea lions to adorable baby goats, gurgling tanks of fish in the DEC aquarium, a grassy playground in the Expo and a mini-golf course near the eatery.

Heading toward a collision with Labor Day weekend, patrons anticipate the arrival on Tuesday of beloved performer Hilby for three shows daily. ROSESWhile attendance is always affected by the weather, the upcoming weekend is usually the best-attended stretch of the Fair.

The 4-H kids will be showing their precious miniature horses throughout the day on Thursday at the outdoor show ring near the beef cattle barn and pigs have taken over half of the goat and swine barn. HILBY YO-YO

Inside the Horticulture Building, the sweet aroma of flowers will fill the air as dahlias, gladiolus and roses take turns filling the center section of the building.

If you’re looking for a reason to attend, don’t bother with the uninspiring concert lineup, just focus on the great variety of entertainment and the fabulous food.

To avoid the Labor Day weekend crush, do a weekday if you can.