Geddes, NY – Well, opening day of the 2024 New York State Fair had its ups, its downs and its sideways moves.

What was called (by me) the Year of the Goat suddenly became the Hour of the Goat. The 100 pygmy goats that were brought to the Horticulture Building to snuggle with visitors had to turn around and go home on Wednesday after one of them contracted a virus that could harm other animals. This sad news came just as heavy rain showers were rolling in, lashing your face like you were staring into dark, spitting clouds. This weather is probably responsible for keeping the first day’s attendance at 38,215.

But there was a bright side: The 13-day fair kicked off with great music and food. The first two guests – a 17-year-old couple – arrived at 4:55 a.m. so they could be first in line to enjoy the day. And we had plenty of journalists testing out food, drinks, rides, games and more food so they could bring you the highlights so you can better prepare for your own visit.

Today’s menu

I’m at the fair every day and night, and hey, a man’s got to eat (and drink). I write about food and drink for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard, so I might as well give you suggestions while I’m working here. But I’m no expert. I rely on readers to tell me what’s good. If you find something that makes your belly happy, text me at 315-382-1984 and I’ll try. Maybe I’ll eat or drink with you and pay the bill.

Lunch: Turkey legs can be found on almost every corner of the fairgrounds. Some are grilled, some fried, some baked. They’re all good, but my favorite is the smoked leg from Porky’s Barbecue and Grill, the second stand on Restaurant Row. The turkey legs ($18) weigh 2 pounds when they go into the smoker each morning. The skin browns and crisps, but the meat remains juicy even after it absorbs the flavor of the burning hardwood.

Happy Hour: A colleague tried the Sammy Slammer yesterday at the Tikki Turtle on the Colonnade while writing an article about tasty drinks at the fair. He described it as mighty strong but good, so of course I had to try it.

This 12-ounce cup is filled with vodka, Midori, white rum and lemonade. My only question to Lana, the very capable bartender, was, “Are you sure you put lemonade in it?” Yes, it’s worth the full $12 I paid. Plus, it’s named after Scriba’s Sam Vaughn, a chef at Tikki Turtle who died in November after a car accident.

Beer of the day: Aurora Brewery makes its trade show debut in the beer garden tent with their La Crispy, formerly known as La Crema. Known for their creative can art and eye-catching beers, Aurora offers unique twists on everything they do.

“However, this lager is approachable and pairs well with almost everything our fine fair has to offer,” said Erinn McDowell, the head beer gardener here.

She likes the beer so much that she’s taking a dollar off the price today.

» Detailed daily schedule for Thursday, August 22

Concerts

1/14

» RVSHVD, 1 p.m. in Chevy Court

» Ace Frehley, 6 p.m. at Chevy Court

» Warren Zeiders, 8 p.m. in Suburban Park

1/22

Today’s forecast: Much better than a cool, rainy opening day

Fair principles

Hours: The fair is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The buildings are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Midway is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but closes at 9 p.m. on Labor Day.

Tickets: Admission to the fair is $8 for an adult. Seniors 65 and older are admitted free. Children 12 and under are admitted free. You can purchase tickets in advance online. You cannot purchase tickets with cash at the entrance – you must purchase them on your phone or at a kiosk at the entrance.

Park: Parking is $12 per car this year, up from $10 last year. You CANNOT pay with EZ Pass Plus, but you can pay with a credit card at the parking lot entrance. You can also purchase parking passes in advance online.

Further rules: Smoking is only permitted outside the gates in designated areas. You can bring coolers with food and non-alcoholic beverages. Pets are not allowed unless they are working dogs or participating in a competition. Visitors must wear a shirt and shoes. Last call for alcohol is 10:30 p.m. each day.

State Fair Newsletter: Stay up to date on all the New York State Fair news, food, music, events and more with our free newsletter, emailed to you each morning. Click here to sign up.

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Charlie Miller finds the best food, drinks and entertainment in all of Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984 or email at [email protected]. (AND he pays for what he and his guests eat and drink, just so you know.) You can also find him at @HoosierCuse on Þjórsárdalur and further Instagram. Sign up for his weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here.