A day that includes views from 100 feet in the air, the live birth of a cow, a butter sculpture, animatronic dinosaurs and a cool glass of milk for 25 cents may sound outrageous. However, this is just an average day at the Great New York State Fair.

The state fair opened Aug. 21 for a 12-day run filled with concessions, entertainment, carnival rides, games, agriculture and a wide range of vendors. Featuring roller coasters, wine and live music, the state fair truly has something for fun-loving, adventurous visitors.

This year marks a major change in fair management with the amusement company Wade Shows now overseeing the fair’s entertainment. For the first time in 50 years, the company James E. Strates Shows will not be taking the lead, according to an Aug. 17 Post Standard article.

Wade Shows is offering new attractions by bringing in 63 new rides, 25 concession stands and 25 sales booths to the 2014 fair. The new management presence is visible on the fairground through the tall rides, slides and coasters that line the streets.

Zakyra Ashby, a local Syracuse resident, could not wipe the smile off her face.

“I love the state fair,” she said. “If I could stay here all day, everyday I would.”

A state fair veteran, Ashby said the rides are the biggest draw for her.

One of those rides is Delusion, a twisting and turning ride making its first appearance at the state fair. The new $1 million ride spins passengers in a full 360 degrees at various stomach-turning angles.

“I am not scared,” Ashby said just before she stepped onto the Delusion. “The biggest rides are the absolute best.”

One of the biggest rides on the fairground is the RC-48 roller coaster, which is the second-largest traveling roller coaster in the United States, according to the article.

However, state fair classics such as Zipper and Ring of Fire, which attract thrill-seekers with their heights and twists, are still Ashby’s favorite attractions.

If guests prefer not to be spun around in the air, the state fair provides many other options, including a giant slide, bumper cars and a live wolf show. Other themed alternatives include the Zombie Apocalypse and the Discover the Dinosaurs exhibits.

A state fair staple, the ferris wheel, still rises above the fairgrounds and is one of two at the fair. However, this year, the wheel is 20 feet shorter than its James B. Strates predecessor, according to the article.

Many guests also enjoyed the carnival games, stopping at the booths to win a variety of prizes. Announcers could be heard enticing guests to take a shot at the bottle toss or join the water gun competition.

Everywhere guests could be seen laughing and boasting about their newest prizes, most commonly a stuffed animal the size of a small child. However, the state fair offers more than just thrill rides and games. Music is also a huge part of the experience, with performances on the large Grandstand stage and Chevy Court stage. Artists in the lineup include Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Uncle Kracker and Phillip Phillips.

Donna Lamica, a former fair employee of 28 years, said the music lineup and performance times this year were excellent.

“I have worked here for years and this entertainment schedule is one of the best yet,” she said.

Lamica added state pride is high at the ‘Taste NY’ exhibit, which brings 84 New York state vendors to the fair to sell and advertise their local products. Farmers from across the state go head-to-head in competitions for livestock, dairy products and produce.

“Vendors from every county come to the fair every year to show local, New York state products,” said Joe Morrissey, a spokesman for the Great New York State Fair.

Dairy farms, wineries, distilleries and local farmers travel annually to display their hard work to the 850,000 to 1 million fair guests. Morrissey said the response at the ‘Taste NY’ exhibit has been incredible, with lines wrapping around the tents.

Said Morrissey: “The purpose of the fair is to promote the very best New York state has to offer and I think that really shows here.”

 

Tickets for rides can be purchased in groups of five for $6.25, or a one-day pass for $25 on weekdays and $30 on weekends. This does not include the $10 admission fee.

 

—GIFs by Chase Gaewski, staff photographer

Published on August 28, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Jen: jbundy@syr.edu