The 2012 New York State Fair is coming to an end. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun! (How will I make it through a whole year without maple cotton candy?!)

I’ve learned that you can visit the fair every day, and you’ll always be able to find something new, whether it’s food, animals, or education that you seek.

Fairgoers have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips if they want it, and those manning the exhibits are eager to share information. You may expect people to be tired, cranky, or annoyed by the last day of the fair…but not in my experience! Though it’s a massive undertaking to have a booth at the fair or a display, it’s apparent that a lot of people genuinely want to be there and spread their knowledge.


It can be crowded and exhausting to walk around the fairgrounds, but when you have a deep fried treat or a chilly wine slushie in hand…you’re going to have a good time! And there are samples abound, if you’re not ready to commit. You can taste every flavor of wine for free, snack on cheese in the Dairy Building, or crunch on flavored nuts while you walk around.

What’s not to like?

The fair is like a melting pot of all that New York and its people have to offer. There are farmers and their animals, bees and the honey they produce, food stands with dishes from as far as Zimbabwe, and museums filled with antiques. You could say that the fair has a culture of its own, bringing people together within the fairground’s acres to experience that melting pot.

And when you look around, it’s true: It’s a smile a minute at the New York State Fair.