The Great New York State Fair to have first ever Kosher Food Booth – a step towards more diverse offerings

On: By: karen
The more diverse the Fair food is, the better in my opinion!
The Great New York State Fair’s first-ever kosher food booth will debut at the 2016 Fair, offering traditional kosher dishes with a Fair theme, Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner announced today.
 
“Food is consistently one of the Fair’s greatest attractions. People come to get their Fair favorites and to try something new and fun. Every year, we dedicate ourselves to providing both delicious Fair classics and new, exciting foods for people to enjoy. We are the coming together of New Yorkers, and the best way for us to show that is through a diversity of food representing the diversity of our great state,” said Waffner.
 
Catering by The Oaks has prospered at Menorah Park in Dewitt for four years, and is the only kosher restaurant in Upstate New York between Buffalo and Albany. At the Fair, Catering by The Oaks will be located in the Horticulture building next to Doug’s Fish Fry. The Fair and the Director of Kosher Law Enforcement for the Department of Agriculture and Markets have been working together for several years to bring kosher food to the fairgrounds. The menu will include a mix of traditional kosher dishes such as potato knishes, bagel and lox sandwiches, gluten-free citrus salmon lettuce wraps and chopped salads as well as kosher dishes given a Fair twist-deep-fried apple blintzes coated with cinnamon and brown sugar, deep-fried cheese blintzes served with sour cream and fried matzo balls.
 
“We are ecstatic to bring our one-of-a-kind menu to the Fair. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy these tasty delights. We had a taste panel with people who ate strictly kosher and people who did not; both groups absolutely loved them,” said The Oaks Catering General Manager, Jarrod Charsky.
 
Catering by The Oaks and all other vendors on the fairgrounds can be located by downloading the Fair Food Finder application for smartphones and using the app’s interactive map of the Fair. For fairgoers without smartphones, the application may also be found on the Fair’s website, here.
 
In recent years, the New York State Fair has increased its diversity of food offerings. In 2015, the first ever vegan vendor, Strong Hearts Café, was introduced and plans to return in 2016. 
 
The New York State Fair,operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 25 to September 5, 2016.  The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “Find Your GREAT!,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.
The 375-acre New York State Fairgrounds is undergoing the most significant transformation since it first opened its gates in 1890. The $50 million plan, announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, revitalizes the grounds in many ways, improving the quality of the fairgoer’s experience and providing greater economic benefits for the region. Improvements include the dramatic new Main Gate- the arches of which recall the carriage gate that greeted fairgoers in 1900, a larger, 15-acre Wade Shows Midway that will hold more rides than ever, and the brand new 315-site Empire RV Park with underground water, sewer and electrical service. The plan will better position the New York State Fairgrounds as a premier year-round, multi-use facility that can attract more events and visitors from across the nation.  More information on the revitalization is available here and renderings can be viewed here.
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Centro Improves NYS Fair Park-N-Ride Network for Shorter, More Frequent Rides

On: By: karen

CentroBusesCourtesy of Dave Ballard, Public Relations NYS Fair:

Centro’s State Fair Park-N-Ride network will debut two new locations (Destiny USA and Long Branch Park) in an effort to increase bus frequency, shorten wait times, and move more people during the upcoming 2016 New York State Fair.

“These two new locations will allow us to accommodate more people and move them more quickly to the front gate of the New York State Fair” said Centro Chief Executive Officer Rick Lee, who says the new locations should reduce a Fairgoer’s “front door-to-front gate” travel time. “This allows us to run a more efficient network, better serve Fairgoers, and best utilize our current bus fleet.”

Buses will leave every 8-10 minutes from Destiny USA and every 12-15 minutes from Long Branch Park, compared to previous services that operated every 60 minutes from Seneca Mall and every 30 minutes from ShoppingTown Mall. The Park-N-Rides at Destiny USA and Long Branch Park will replace Park-N-Rides previously operated by Centro at ShoppingTown Mall, Seneca Mall and the Regional Market.

“We believe these changes will make a very big difference in helping people get to and from the Fair much more efficiently. Our partnership with Centro is vitally important and we thank them for working with us to make it easier for people to enjoy the Great New York State Fair,” said Troy Waffner, Acting Fair Director.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Centro and its popular Park-N-Ride program to help Fairgoers get to and from the New York State Fair in the fastest, most convenient way possible,” said Rob Schoeneck, General Manager of Destiny USA. “Given our central location, ample room for parking, and close proximity to the New York State Fair, we’re confident guests will be able to spend less time travelling to the Fair and more time enjoying it.”

Centro’s Park-N-Ride shuttles from the Centro Transit Hub and Lowe’s in Camillus Commons will operate unchanged. The cost of shuttles will also remain unchanged; $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for persons with disabilities, seniors, and children 6-9 years of age.

Centro provided more than 180,000 rides to and from the New York State Fair from its Park-N-Ride locations during last year’s 12-day fair. Click link below for more information:

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My Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the 2016 NYS Fairgrounds Renovations

On: By: karen

Last week I was thrilled to be given a behind-the-scenes tour of the NYS Fairgrounds to see how the multi-million dollar renovations are progressing.  My tour guide was none other than acting Fair Director, Troy Waffner, and I can’t thank him enough! I took along my husband Joe as my official photographer.

As much as I resist change in my life on a daily basis, I have to admit I was extremely impressed with the Fair’s new look. Even though active construction was still in full force all over the grounds there were some areas that were finished or nearly finished, enough to give me a general idea of how they will look.

We were most impressed with the new Front Gate. Gone is the box office and the ugly cement booths and turnstiles. In their place is a stunning new structure that bears a strong resemblance to the front entrance of the Fair long, long ago. For the first time, all tickets will be checked in digitally eliminating all the stubs on the ground, in your pockets and eventually in your washing machine.  

Here are a few photos of the Front Gate, with the first one taken from the 2nd floor of the administration building, just to the right as you walk in.

2016 New Front Gate NYSFairgroundsRenovations2016 - 51 Front Gate Landscaping

Another major change is the fence surrounding the infield track- or lack thereof.  In fact the entire track has been replaced with two newly designed areas. One area is a field of inviting green grass, sleek black lampposts, and freshly planted landscaping, while the other is a large triangular shaped lot covered with gravel.  The grassy area is part of an updated, more uniform Midway space and will be the future home of ‘Kiddieland’. The gravel lot is the new Empire RV Park.  This RV park is located just past the Horticulture Building to the right and has a total of 315 Full-Service spaces available not only during the 12 day run of the Fair, but also year round. Click here for more information on reserving a space for the 2016 NYS Fair:

Empire RV Park Information and Reservations

The following photo was taken from the road that runs between the International Building and the Dairy Building, across the street from where the New York Lottery building used to stand.  The Villa Pizze Fritte shack was just to the left along with Santillos, Tully’s and various other vendors.  It is the busiest intersection of the Fair, known as Times Square to most people.  We always called it Grand Central Station and dreaded having to navigate the spot where four lanes of people traffic converged.  I held onto my kids’ hands extra tight through there!  The line for The Villa Pizze Fritte stand didn’t help matters so I am definitely happy to see a change at this particular location.  As part of the renovations, all vendor buildings on the road to the now defunct Grandstand have been torn down. But fear not, the Fair has been working closely with the vendors, some of them understandably leery and to my knowledge they have all been relocated.

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And I know a lot of you are wondering (and panicking): Where is that awesome NYS Fair mainstay, purple triangle-shaped The Villa Pizze Fritte Building?!?!  Thankfully it was not demolished! The owner actually moved it down the road to it’s new home, next to the International Building.

NYSFairgroundsRenovations2016 - 19
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This gravel lot makes up part of the Full-Service Empire RV Park:

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There is a new pedestrian only entrance being added to the left/backside of the Fair, next to the Center of Progress Building off of Bridge Street.  Many people park over the bridge and have to walk all the way to the front entrance to get in.  This will get them into the Fair more quickly and reduce the amount of time they spend walking along the busy road.  Steps have been added already and the new gate is under construction.

The photo below shows the steps and accessible ramp to the new entrance – Crucible Steel is in the background:

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Stay tuned for Part 2 of my Behind the Scenes Tour!

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‘Beach Boy’ Brian Wilson to celebrate 50 years of the album ‘Pet Sounds’ at Chevy Court

On: By: karen

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As the Beach Boys were my first concert a few, ok many years ago, this is definitely one concert I will be looking forward to! Songs from the album include Sloop John B, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, God Only Knows and I’m Waiting for the Day.

According to Wikipedia, Pet Sounds was the 11th studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released on May 16, 1966. It initially met with a lukewarm critical and commercial response in the United States, peaking at number 10 in the Billboard 200, a significantly lower placement than the band’s preceding albums. Pet Sounds has subsequently garnered worldwide acclaim from critics and musicians alike, and is widely considered to be one of the most influential albums in music history.

The album was produced and arranged by Brian Wilson, who also wrote and composed almost all of its music. Most of the recording sessions were conducted between January and April 1966, a year after he had quit touring with the Beach Boys in order to focus more attention on writing and recording. For Pet Sounds, Wilson’s goal was to create “the greatest rock album ever made” — a personalized work with no filler tracks. It is sometimes considered a Wilson solo album, repeating the themes and ideas he had introduced with The Beach Boys Today! one year earlier. The album’s lead single, “Caroline, No”, was issued as his official solo debut. It was followed by two singles credited to the group: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (backed with “God Only Knows”) and “Sloop John B”.

Brian Wilson is set to perform on Monday, August 29th at 8pm at Chevy Court.

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Memorial Day Watchfire at the NYS Fairgrounds

On: By: karen

watchfire2015Thinking of how to celebrate Memorial Day a bit differently this year?  The Memorial Day Watchfire at the NYS Fairgrounds may be just the thing to do along with the traditional BBQ/Camping/Picnicking.  Here are the details from the Fair’s web site:

‘The Memorial Day Watchfire will take place in the Veterans Memorial Watchfire Park at the NYS Fairgrounds (located between Rts. 690, 695 & State Fair Blvd). The watchfire ceremony and lighting of the pyre commence at dusk. Food and drink vendors will be on-site. See event website for more information.

The watchfire and accompanying ceremony makes Memorial Day more meaningful for everyone in the community. Veterans and non-veterans are invited to gather at the watchfire to honor those who have so faithfully served the nation. The watchfire comes from the military tradition that following a battle or long march, a large fire would be started so those missing or lost could locate and rejoin their comrades. The watchfire also provides the community with an opportunity to respectfully and properly retire unserviceable American Flags. You are encouraged to bring tattered, worn or faded American Flags for respectful burning on the pyre.’

*Photo courtesy Syracuse.com 2015

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Extreme NYS Fair Foods featured on Food Network’s ‘Carnival Eats’

On: By: karen

Courtesy Syracuse.com – writer, Dan Cazentre

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Jim Hasbrouck’s NYS fair Fried Specialties stand was among those featured in an episode of ‘Carnival Eats’ that aired on the Food Network on May 5, 2016.  The Food Network show “Carnival Eats” showcased some of the over-the-top, gut-busting foods from the fair in the premier episode.
Cappe spent two days at the 2015 State Fair taping segments for the episode. He chatted with fairgoers, highlighted some vendors and gorged himself with deep-fried fair fare.

The foods and vendors he highlighted are:

• The Defibrillator from Fried Specialties
• PB & J Ice Cream from Polar Bear Ice Cream
• Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese from Tommy C’s 
• Crispy Clamwich from Doug’s Fish Fry

The fair, meanwhile, is working with vendors to “identify this year’s crazy new foods,” said fair spokesman Dave Bullard.

Don Cazentre writes about food, beverages, restaurants and bars for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him by email, on Twitter, at Google+ or via Facebook.

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$5.00 NYS Fair tickets available on 05/05/16 one day “Cinco de Mayo” Special!

On: By: karen
Check this out!
LAST CHANCE TO SCORE A DEAL ON 2016 GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR TICKETS AS FAIR HOLDS ONE-DAY “CINCO DE MAYO” SALE
 
It’s the last chance for fans of the Great New York State Fair to take advantage of a bargain as the Fair holds its annual Cinco de Mayo sale of a limited number of admission tickets at a special price, Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner announced today.
The sale takes place on Cinco de Mayo- the fifth day of the fifth month-and offers 5,555 tickets for $5. The sale begins at 5:55 a.m. Tickets are only available online through the Fair’s official ticket seller, etix.com, at http://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7893989. The tickets offered during this sale provide a 50% discount over the regular $10 admission price and is a dollar less expensive than the price charged during the regular advance sale period that begins in July.
“Our roster of free entertainment, great food, rides and the best of New York agriculture is better than ever this year. The Fair is already the best entertainment bargain in New York and this sale makes it even better. It’s our last online promotional sale for 2016 and tickets will sell out quickly, so anyone who really wants a bargain for Fair tickets will want to get up early on May 5,” Waffner said.
Purchases are limited to four tickets per person. A credit card charge of just over 11 cents will be added to each ticket sold. Tickets are barcoded and can either be printed at home or be scanned from a smartphone at the gate. Buyers will receive a receipt by e-mail with instructions on how to access their tickets.
The regular advance sale program will begin in July, making tickets available online and at retail outlets across the state for $6, a 40% savings over the cost of admission during the Fair.
The Fair will also bring back its special pricing days in 2016. The wildly successful Dollar Day on Labor Day event sets admission at just $1, and Three-Dollar Thursdays will return with all admissions at $3 on August 25 and September 1. Some of the Fair’s special days also provide free admission for certain groups. Check the Fair’s website at nysfair.org for the full list of special days.
The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 25 to September 5, 2016.  The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “Summer’s Best in Show,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.
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