GEDDES -- Twelve days of mostly clear skies helped to keep the fairgrounds full and fairgoers happy with the way the 2010 State Fair came together.
"Lots to do, lots to see - good stuff," said Mark Licona from McGraw on Monday night.
Some people sent questions and suggestions for next year's State Fair to CNYCentral.com and we passed them on to Fair Director Dan O'Hara.
One of the most common questions was "Why are some grandstand shows so expensive?"
Dan O'Hara said they have tried to keep prices in check and the priciest tickets for Aerosmith were very popular.
"I know there were a lot of questions and comments about the $104 ticket but actually they sold out. The $104 tickets sold out," said O'Hara on Monday night.
Other people wanted to know why the Grandstand was dark on some nights but O'Hara says that was a tradeoff for some of the popular free concerts at Chevy Court.
The Grandstand can only hold around 17,000 people and 30,000 were able to see Lady Antebellum at Chevy Court.
"We want to make Chevy Court the best free entertainment venue in the country and we're starting to see evidence of that," said O'Hara. "The quality of entertainment, the number of people."
Free concerts with big name acts were very appealing to most fairgoers.
"I think the free concerts help," said Laurie Ludlow. "People don't have a lot of money so it's nice to be able to get some entertainment for that price."
There were some people who wanted to know if anything could be done to reduce traffic jams and long lines for buses. O'Hara said he would have conversations with Centro about bus service to the Fair but he added that he felt they did a great job transporting massive crowds to and from the fairgrounds.
O'Hara said his staff is looking into bringing back some free ticket promotions with gas stations and grocery stores for next year. The State Fair staff is also in negotiations with several musical acts about appearing in next year's lineup.
Friday 9/3: What changes do you want at the State Fair?
It's hard to believe it but another State Fair is almost in the history books.
The fair comes to an end on Monday. This year there's been acts at the Grandstand like Justin Bieber and Tim McGraw. Lots of people came out to concerts at Chevy Court which were free with fair admission. New this year, was the seating outside Chevy Court and there were new rules for getting wine. Any vendors that could sell beer, could sell 10 ounce glasses of wine as long as it was New York State wine.
We want to know what you think about how the fair has been run under Director Dan O'Hara and what suggestions you have to make it better. Please leave them here.
