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New York State Fair 2017

People come from all corners of New York to take part in the tradition of the Great New York State Fair

Jes Sheldon | Staff Photographer

The traditions of the Great New York State Fair attract more than 1 million people from all around the state to the Fairgrounds.

By Kayla AndersonStaff Writer

UPDATED: Aug. 27, 2017 at 11:15 p.m.

Filled with tradition, the Great New York State Fair brings more than a million people to the fairgrounds each year. Here are four New Yorkers’ favorite state fair traditions:

Tom Galvin — Albany

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Kayla Anderson | Contributing Writer

Tom Galvin has always loved the atmosphere at local fairs.



“When I was a boy, I really loved the chicken barns,” Galvin said.

The Great New York State Fair features the Poultry Building — filled with homer pigeons, rabbits, chickens and roosters.

Now, his childhood love for fairs has turned into much more. The fair is an opportunity for Tom to spend time with his mom. Galvin picks her up and takes her to enjoy his favorite fair food — Gianelli sausage and peppers. Each year they sit at a picnic table behind Gianelli’s, taking in the sights and sounds of the fair and enjoying a sunny day.

Jackie Harris — Ithaca

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Kayla Anderson | Contributing Writer

Jackie Harris has attended the fair with her mom, Ann, for years, going back to when the old grandstand was still in use. They attend the fair every year to enjoy family time, eat their favorite fair food — ice cream from the Dairy Barn — and get a good dose of nostalgia, all while listening to the music from a stage.

Kevin Richardson — Syracuse

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Kayla Anderson | Contributing Writer

Kevin Richardson traveled to the fair from Florida, but this was not his first time at the fair. Richardson is a native of Syracuse and has come to the fair nearly every year since the 1980s.

Though he moved thousands of miles away, nothing could keep Richardson from Gianelli sausages.

“I have always loved the fair because of the food,” Richardson said.

The fair holds a special place in Richardson’s heart. He gets to share it with his children and grandchildren. This year, Richardson’s youngest son, who is not from the Syracuse area, made the trip to the fair, making the fair a place for a father-son reunion.

Josie Swyers — Livingston County

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Kayla Anderson | Contributing Writer

Josie Swyers is the Livingston County Dairy Princess.

The Livingston County Dairy Princess Program looks to promote the dairy industry. Josie works at a booth in the Dairy Barn during the fair, spinning a kids’ prize wheel.

She has attended the fair for about a decade, but this was her first time as a Dairy Princess. Her favorite fair food is the 25-cent milk.

“I especially love doing the wheel with the adorable kids at the fair,” she said.

The story has been updated for appropriate style.





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