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The Great New York State Fair continued from pg 19 Who doesn’t love to see those!” He’s right, of course, because you can stroll through all the barns and talk to the farmers who bring their animals for the various shows and competitions. “We host horse shows all year round, but the best variety of shows is during the Fair. You can see everything from ponies to giant draft horses –there’s something for everyone.” “Changing to the Wade shows for the midway was an excellent decision,” said Dave. They are installing a semi-permanent fixture for the new Sky Ride. Concrete footers will create a more secure foundation for erecting the ride that spans the entire length of the midway –1,400 feet long! The more stable ride will lift you to 35 feet in the air and then gently bring you down at the end of the midway. It’s a great way to see the fair and realize how expansive this operation truly is. There will also be a new ride … A FLUME! I can’t wait to try this and I’m sure it will be well attended during the warm Fair days. “While most of vendors return each year, we do have a couple of new places coming in” stated Dave. “There will be a new Thai place and we’ll now have Anchor Bar Wings out of Buffalo.” Food at the Fair is a great experience –there’s everything from local growers Take the time to find something to regional and state specialties. One new because each year brings its vendor who creates a new crazy conown new memory. Make a new coction for the fair every year is Fried memory for your family at the Specialties owner, Jim Hasbrouck, will 2017 New York State Fair! feature a new deep friend breakfast
Animals always attract people especially baby animals, like baby pigs. At the fair you can stroll through all the barns and talk to the farmers who bring their animals for the various shows and competitions. sandwich. While I cringe each year when I hear of the new creation, I’m usually pleasantly surprised that the combination works. This will be the 2nd year without the Grand Stand. I asked Dave how this has affected business at the Fair. “What a lot of people may not have known is that the Grand Stand was a losing operation. We have lost money every year for the last several years.” This part of the Fair was not supported by the State, it had to support itself and it didn’t. “We have to live off the revenue that the Fair makes for such things as salaries, utilities, maintenance and such. Not having the Grand Stand has allowed us to acquire better acts for Chevy Court.” Although not all of the acts have been determined, you can see the diversity the Chevy Court now offers with such acts this year as Bret Michaels and The Family Stone. Governor Cuomo budgets $3.5 million for improvement of the fairgrounds, but that money is reserved for capital expenses such as sewer line or road repairs, roofing or any other type of improvement or repair. Operational expenses is the self-sustaining part of the business. “The Grand Stand could host up to 30,000 visitors, but we attract nearly a ¼ million people to Chevy Court” said Dave. “This helps our vendors because MAY 26 OCTOBER 1 concert goers aren’t off the beaten path, it’s right in the middle of everything.” FRIDAY SUNDAY 11 7 I asked Dave if there will be a phase two, and he said, “Absolutely, but it will be on a smaller scale. What we hope to have in the next phase is a much larger and new Expo center. Again, the Fair is about diversity and our goal is to attract as many people as possible.” While it’s not cast in stone, the Expo Center is the preferred project, but that will be announced as soon as plans are confirmed. Catering Available It will also be a year-round facility that will bring new attractions and better 7735 ST. ROUTE 104 revenue. OSWEGO, NY Take the time to find something new because each year brings its own new memory. Make a new memory for your family at the 2017 New York State Fair! See you there!
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