The New York State Fair opens today in Syracuse with its focus on showcasing the agricultural industry. One of the more popular food stands is the one dollar baked potato booth. This year agricultural commissioner Richard Ball said a local farmer is supplying the potatoes while Tully’s restaurant serves them up at the Horticulture Building.
“Somewhere around 6 tons this year, maybe more this year. But, having the crop this early in the season and having them here for people," said Ball. "A lot of people say, ‘What‘s the difference between a potato and another variety of potato?’ I mean it’s like a hundred varieties of potatoes. It does matter, it does make a difference.”
Fair director Julie LaFave said they’ve added other new attractions in the ag building this year.
“Come in and learn about the meat goats, the dairy goats. We are paying tribute to America 250 with our sand sculpture, the butter sculpture," LaFave said. "Our drone show we’ve increased from one day to two days and that’s fully in motion, it’s not just static symbols.”
She is anticipating traffic delays along Interstate 690 as fairgoers arrive. Tonight, the All American Rejects free concert opens at the fair, while Pitbull performs at a paid concert across the highway at the Lakeview Amphitheater. The State Fair runs through Labor Day.
