I had several firsts this week and visiting the New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York was one of them.  Governor Spitzer's comment in his inaugural address "like Rip Van Winkle...New York has slept through much of the past decade while the rest of the world has passed us by" could also be an apt description of the fair. And the fair can easily be a symbol of the disconnect between upstate and downstate New York. 

To provide a little bit of background, first of all I am a fourth generation New Yorker so pardon the alternating biting criticism and modicum of gloating.  Beyond that, The Fair was born in 1841 with an $8,000 item by the New York State Legislature for the "promotion of agriculture and household manufacturers in the State."  It was the first fair of its kind in the country and considered a huge success with between 10,000 and 15,000 visiting farmers.  In 1849 a 50-foot tall, manually-powered wheel was introduced as what turned out to be the very first Ferris Wheel.

Where has all that innovation gone?

When I approached the gates I was so excited to see the Pride of New York banner and ecstatic when I went through the turnstile and laid eyes on its imposing exhibit.  And that's where the excitement ended.  Lest you think I am completely negative the butter sculpture gets rave reviews, but it is the fair's only redeeming exhibit and I am not completely sure what exactly is on display.  I understand the great detail of the two farm boys balancing on a fence, their wavy hair and facial expressions, a mother cow turning its head to tend to its calf nestled in a bedding of hay, but beyond that what am I absorbing about New York? What have I really learned about New York State agriculture and the need to connect downstate consumers with our upstate farmers in order to help improve their economy?  Where are the interactive displays from the great upstate universities advertising their tremendous scientific efforts, where are the exhibitors from SUNY-Buffalo talking about advancements in creativity research? Where are the corporate sponsors with their visionary and interactive exhibits of life in 2050?  Where are downstate New Yorkers and the international visitors that could and should be mesmerized by all that New York has to offer? What is the connection between that Pride of New York exhibit at the gates and what I am seeing in the various displays and livestock barns throughout the fair?

One notable event at the fair occurred on September 3rd when Farm Aid 2007 kicked off with a caravan press event including guest speaker NYS Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and other dignitaries.  The caravan began in upstate New York collecting homegrown foods to help feed the musicians and crews at Farm Aid 2007 in New York City.  The caravan is also intended to highlight cutting-edge community efforts and state-supported programs that strengthen the state's agriculture and help more people gain access to good food grown on family farms.  Read more about Farm Aid 2007 on this blog after the concert on Sunday, September 9th.

Oddly, this press event was totally disconnected from the food that was being served up to the 1,000,000 fair attendees. The stench from old oil was practically overpowering and whatever had once started on a farm was so totally altered by the time it got to one's plate it was unrecognizable.  Fried oreos, taffy, loads of corn dogs and cotton candy and dozens of other vendors from Anywheresville, USA dominated the food options.  I would be willing to bet that the candy apples didn't even come from New York State--the number 2 grower of apples in the country. And the milk producers in the Dairy Building were drowned out by the frozen lemonade stands.

The Rockefellers set up their "camps" five hours out of New York City at about the same time as the first fair and the Olympics shined a bright spotlight in 1980, but what now is the draw to central New York for the rest of us?

I asked Cornell Cooperative Extension representatives from the Syracuse area how they thought the fair had changed over the years. The first response was a sigh followed by an animated discussion about the increase in bad, fried food and decrease in agricultural exhibits.  When I asked how they would change the fair, the question interested them and they appreciated the challenge.  Responses included resolving problems with infrastructure, a needed increase in funding and a need to battle the entertainment versus education war.  

In truth there are a number of issues that need to be resolved including image, but these are surmountable with partnerships that provide funding, creativity and include participation.  I could only wonder what Governor Spitzer was thinking when he finally made an appearance this year and bit into that sausage as tradition requires. If anyone should make a difference it is a downstater who becomes Governor and makes one of his campaign issues "...to be one New York again."