Good morning, it’s Wednesday, and opening day at the Great New York State Fair – a 13-day celebration (Aug. 20 through Sept. 1) that is one of the nation’s oldest and largest state fairs, with an annual attendance of more than 1 million people.
I am a big fair fan. I grew up with the Ulster County Fair, and distinctly remember spending many hours riding the swings, the mere sight of which makes me feel a little queasy as an adult, frankly. At that age, I also could stomach a lot more in the way of deep fried fair food than I am capable of consuming these days. Funnel cake is the bomb, IMHO, and I also like a good oversized turkey leg.
The fair of my youth with decidedly not pc. There were some attractions related to native people and supposed oddities that, in retrospect, were not only inappropriate but downright offensive. These so-called “freak” shows originated with the traditional traveling circus, which is also something you don’t see much of anymore…