The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Local schools to strut their stuff
GEDDES, N.Y. » As the Fair heads into its final weekend, two local groups will be highlighted on Saturday during Timber Sports and Forestry Day.
The Vernon-Verona- Sherrill FFA will offer samples of its maple syrup and put on a maple syrup farming display. At the local collegiate level, Morrisville State forestry students will take on competitors from SUNY ESF and Paul Smith’s College in a slew of events including log rolling, axe throwing, speed climbing and more.
Special days at the Fair for the next three days include:
Thursday, Aug. 31:
•Armed Forces Day - Any active duty or veteran receives free admission. There will be special Armed Forces Day ceremonies beginning at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment will join the Fair and provide fairgoers with sneak peak clips of the film Megan Leavey.
•Dairy Day - This day is the Fair’s ode to New York State dairy farmers. There will be a special milkshake contest and the traditional dairy parade at 6 p.m. Fairgoers are encouraged to visit the Dairy Product Building and try out white or chocolate milk at the milk bar and visit with State Dairy Princesses.
•You Set the Record Day - The Fair will drop ticket prices to $1 as a thank you to attendees for setting the single-day Fair attendance record on Sunday, Aug. 27.
•Speedway at the Fair Day - Visitors with ticket stubs from the Oswego Speedway or Watkins Glen will receive $1 entry.
Friday, Sept. 1:
•Six Nations Day - Native Americans receive free admission at the Fair on Friday, and the Six Nations will be featured in the daily parade at 6 p.m.
•SU and NY Sports Day - Fair-goers sporting a hat, t-shirt, or jersey of their favorite New York amateur, youth, school, college or professional sports team receive $1 admission as the Fair celebrates Syracuse Football’s home opener.
Saturday, Sept. 2:
•Grange Day - This day will highlight the achievements of the New York State Grange organization and the group’s efforts in supporting agriculture and rural communities.
•Timber Sports and Forestry Day - The New York State Experience Area will host several events that highlight the state’s forestry industry. From a draft horse demonstration at 10:30 a.m. to meet and greets with professional lumberjacks, the day has a variety of special events. Additionally, SUNYESF, Morrisville State, and Paul Smiths College will compete in events such as crosscut and bowsaw, axe throw, underhand chop, logrolling, speed climbing, and more.
The Vernon-Verona-Sherrill FFA will be in attendance at the Fair as well, offering samples of their maple syrup and an exhibit on maple farming.
The Chevy Court concert lineup for the next few days includes headliners such as:
•LeAnn Rimes on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.
•Blue Oyster Cult on Friday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.
•DNCE on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
Running through the Fair’s end on Labor Day, admission during Special Fair Days will be $1 for select guests, which include college students.
The fair set an all-time single-day attendance record of 123,206 on Sunday, and another milestone was reached on Monday when 88,943 people attended, a record for the date.
Last year, the state fair drew over 1.1 million people, also a record.