HOME OF THE BRAVE: On Armed Forces Day, sponsored by National Grid, The Fair celebrates all members of the military, with free admission for active duty or veterans with military ID. We invite the community to join us for our annual Armed Forces Day Ceremony, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial outside the Horticulture Building. At 5 p.m., Lockheed Martin will present their Hometown Hero Award with a ceremonial flyover. Additionally, a parade will begin at the Expo Center at 6:00 p.m., showcasing our appreciation for all who serve. Throughout the Fairgrounds, you can also visit exhibits from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. National Guard, and the 174th Attack Wing. Check our maps for details.
CREAM OF THE CROP: Celebrate New York’s vibrant dairy industry during Dairy Day, with engaging demonstrations, fun trivia, and delicious dairy products made right here in New York! As you “moove” around the Fairgrounds, take a moment to thank a dairy farmer by visiting the Dairy Cow Birthing Center to witness the incredible “udder” miracle of calves being born, and see how cows are milked at the Milking Parlor in the Dairy Cattle Barn. For a cool, refreshing treat, stop by the Dairy Products Building for a 25-cent glass of fresh milk, and don’t miss the stunning “The Wizard of Oz” themed Butter Sculpture. Be sure to check out who took home the “Best NY Milk,” “Best NY Cheese,” and “Best NY Ice Cream” awards! Join the excitement at the annual Undeniably Dairy Shake-Off Milkshake Contest, where media teams will compete to craft the most eye-catching and tasty milkshakes. The contest kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at the Chevy Court Pavilion.
¡BIENVENIDOS a LATINO VILLAGE! The growing celebration of Latino food, music, and culture starts Thursday, August 28, and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, at Latino Village (located near the Talent Showcase Stage). During the final five days of The Fair, Latino Village will host exciting performances, artist workshops, and a drag show – qué divertido! Guests are also invited to the annual NYS Trailblazers Reception on Friday, August 29, at 1 p.m. in Latino Village (RSVP to [email protected]). For a full list of events, visit the Latino Village page on our site.
STOMP OUT STIGMA: The Fair is pleased to host Stomp Out Stigma Day again this year to provide resources and support to those suffering with addiction. Thursday’s event has numerous activities planned, beginning with Chalk the Walk at 9 a.m. outside the Main Gate. While supplies last, fairgoers can grab some chalk and join others in drawing inspirational messages of hope. From there, head over to the Wegmans Art & Home Center to create overdose awareness and remembrance ornaments. Fairgoers can also stop into the Providers’ Showcase between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Chevy Court Pavilion to learn more about available resources and to speak to industry professionals. Stomp Out Stigma is a national movement, which promotes hope and recovery and helps to make sure those who may be struggling with addiction feel loved and supported and are aware of available resources and services.
THE PIO’S PICKS: I’m ashamed to admit this: I haven’t had my 25-cent cup of milk yet. It may be grounds for firing, or it simply means I was saving up my coins for Dairy Day. I also plan to visit the cultural villages to see daily drumming in the Van Robinson Pan-African Village, social dancing in the Indian Village (tomorrow is Mohawk Day!), and check out the food options in Latino Village (Birria QuesaTacos SYR is speaking to me). What’s on your lists for Thursday?
LET’S GO, GIRLS (AND EVERYONE): On Day Eight of The Great New York State Fair, 60,614 joined us to celebrate Women’s Day and observe sensory friendly hours until 1 p.m. At Chevy Court, Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk sang the classic songbook, followed by a deceptively fun performance by Red Hot Chilli Pipers (they even inquired how many audience members thought they were about to hear from the Red Hot Chili Peppers), and country songstress Carly Pearce entertained ~5,000 at Suburban Park.
