The neon glitz and glamour of the expanded midway at the New York State Fair was offset by the mostly vacant space in the grounds’ wild west. It was a new and somewhat startling nighttime dichotomy–bigger and brighter with more rides than ever before bordering on a dark, open space.
State Fair Hound will keep on top of coming changes in that area and all around the Fairgrounds for 2017 with stories and photos all year.
When the 2016 New York State Fair wrapped up on Labor Day, many contributors went home with ribbons won in a wide variety of competitions over the course of the 12 days. Categories included culinary arts, livestock of many types, fine arts, agricultural pursuits from honey to Christmas tree to roses, and crafts such as those pictured above.
No doubt some of the competitors are already planning their entries for 2017.
The new York State Fair got some notice on the west coast when the following article, 
submitted by Hound correspondent Mike Greenstein, appeared in the Seattle Times under the heading “Blame It On Rio.”
Vandals damaged a sand-sculpture likeness of Justin Bieber at the New York State Fair. No truth to the rumor that four members of the U.S. swim team urinated on it.
All kids love going to the New York State Fair, but some are there for more than a fun time.
This Haudenosuanee girl delighted a crowd in the Iroquois Village.
This young cowboy practiced his roping skills outside the horse barn.
The space known as the infield is gone from the 2016 New York State Fair and that area, once home to the Fair’s largest RV parking lot, is now occupied primarily by the expanded Wade Shows midway. A new RV park has been built on the site of the demolished Grandstand. 
The new campground has increased capacity from 222 to 313 spaces, all 20 feet wide, 40 feet deep and angled to allow access.
“Most important is it’s full-service now,” Acting Director Troy Waffner told State Fair Hound. “It has water, sewer, electric, which is properly graded so everything gets 50 amps now. It’s all graded in stone. It’s not finished, there’s going to be six inches of topsoil put in after the Fair. But since it’s graded, when it rains, it doesn’t turn into a swamp. It’s not lakefront property. It doesn’t turn mushy. It’s a much better presentation, a much better stay for the people.”
While this year RV park residents have had to make do with a gravel lot, the promised grass will add immeasurably to the ambience and comfort of the landscape. 
In terms of noise, campers have replaced the roar of Grandstand concerts and motorsports for the din of thrill rides and the screams of daredevils, an arguably even trade.
The mottled sky makes this swinging trip even better.
Six-Nations vendors offer a variety of terrific Fair souvenirs, many of them handmade, every day from their huts in the Iroquois Village. These dreamcatchers dangle in the sunshine in this Nick LoPresti photo.
When it’s time to eat at the new York State Fair—and it’s pretty much always time to eat—you can find sausage or steak sandwiches, fried dough, burgers and French fries everywhere. If you’re looking for something a little different and just as tasty, the Pan African Village offers a delicious change of pace.
This year, in addition to Gwen’s soul food, island hopping at La Delicias and Bongo’s spicy jerk entrees, Creole Soul Café has arrived with a taste of New Orleans. 
Local chef and restaurateur Darren Chavis, whose hosts a downtown eatery of the same name, is serving up traditional Cajun and creole dishes like gumbo and red beans and rice, and plenty of hearty choices from catfish and gator to crawfish and shrimp. This isn’t Chavis’ first Mardi Gras, as the bayou-born chef had been stirring the Nawlins pot for many years prior to taking up residence in the old Dey Brothers Building.
Creole Soul fits perfectly as part of the eclectic and exotic Pan African Village, which this Fair celebrates 20 years located between the Center of Progress and the Art and Home Center, 
just inside the new gate 11a, near tram stop 2.
In addition to terrific ethnic cuisine, there’s a steady stream of live entertainment and several boutique tents of jewelry, crafts, gifts and collectibles. Though emphasizing African and Caribbean cultures, everyone is warmly welcomed to this not-to-be-missed Fair locale.
State Fair Hound photographer Nick LoPresti managed to dodge this determined driver as he crashed through traffic on the bumper cars.
You never know what you may see as you wander around the New York State Fair. State Fair Hound offers these examples.
The Big Yellow Fellow takes riders for a peddle-powered ride up Broadway and back, serving snacks and samples along the way. Trips, which start near the kiddie midway are five bucks per adult.
Flamingo stilt riders draw startled looks and photo flashes wherever they’re seen.
An exhibitor soaps up her goat for competition.
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