NYS FAIRGROUNDS -- The New York State Fair starts one week from today and preparations are underway.
Right now vendors are at the fairgrounds setting up. Fair Director Dan O'Hara says they are creating a "mini-city" and the set-up work has been going on for months. People will start arriving on Sunday and there is pre-registration for those campers.
Tickets are on sale right now, and people can can a discount if they buy them in advance. 250-thousand pre-sale tickets have gone out.
"Everybody thinks the fair is the end of summer, it's really part of summer," says Fair Director Dan O'Hara. "I think the message is out there, people are enjoying coming to the fair, spending a couple days. Advance sale tickets, for six-dollars you can come into the fairgrounds, listen to great music at Chevy Court, you can walk around and go into the buildings, see the butter sculpture."
O'Hara says fairgoers this year will see more seating areas that have been created. There's also a new restaurant on Restaurant Row. There are free concerts at Chevy Court, kids shows, acts at the grandstand, food, rides, animals and more than 700 vendors. O'Hara says ticket prices are the same this year. The baked potato still costs $1 and the milk is still twenty-five cents.
"I think the most important thing is for people to come out, have a great time," O'Hara says. "there are so many challenges out there today, the economy, so many things going on in people's lives. The State Fair is a great venue, a great retreat."
The State Fair runs August 25th through September 5th.
