As the New York State Fair kicks off, check out the new food items, vendors, events and more for fairgoers.

The sculptors of the America 250th themed butter sculpture. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

1. The butter sculpture

This year the sculpture is titled “Milk. Memories. Tradition. Rooted in New York.” It is a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and features fireworks, the New York City skyline, baseball and America’s first state fair – the New York State Fair.  

“Over the course of history, America’s story has been written through traditions that have emerged and endures around dinner tables, at ball parks, at fairs and in communities across the county. Here in New York, dairy farmers have been part of those moments for generations,” said John Chrisman, chief executive officer of American Dairy Northeast.

Fairgoers will see red and blue fireworks, a female dairy farmer with her cow and children eating ice cream. As always, the butter sculpture is at the center of the Dairy Products building.

The 55-inch chocolate fountain at Berries and Cream. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

2. A 55-inch chocolate fountain

Also in the Dairy Products building, Berries and Cream, a new dessert booth operated by long-time fair vendor Michael Tadros, has added a new chocolate fountain.  

The booth will have Dubai chocolate strawberry cups, layered cakes and other specialty desserts.  

“From the flowing chocolate fountain to our strawberry cups and specialty layered cakes, we’re excited to give fairgoers another reason to celebrate this sweet fair tradition,” Tadros said.

The ube gouda cheese from Yancey’s Fancy. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

Tadros has also partnered with Yancey’s Fancy, which will serve the New York-produced cheeses in the Cheese Booth. Fairgoers can try a ube-flavored cheese that is a vibrant purple.

Peter Pickle and Betty Blueberry at Harvey’s Garden in the Empire Room. Fairgoers can vote on which is their favorite flavor of wine slushie therefore nominating the first mayor of the Empire Room. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

3. Harvey’s Garden at the State Fair

Harvey’s Garden, a staple bar in the city of Syracuse, will be taking their self-serve beer wall and New York state spirits, wine and cocktails to the State Fair. They will operate out of the Empire Room located near the Horticulture building.  

In addition to their drinks, the Empire Room will host free programming such as trivia, line dancing, live music and a silent disco. There will be an election-themed battle between two new wine slushies: Peter Pickle and Betty Blueberry. Fairgoers will elect the new mayor of the Empire Room.  

There will be the first-ever “Best of the Fair” competition where vendors can compete for best savory, sweet and fried foods, and best mocktail and alcoholic beverages. Voting will take place from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6 in the Empire Room.  

“Harvey’s Garden is all about bringing community together to have fun, and there’s no better place to do that than the Great New York State Fair,” said Michael Greene, owner of Harvey’s Garden.

The State Fair created even more competitions for fairgoers this year, including the first Fair Olympics with events including milk jug holding, corn shucking and husband calling.  

“We had the opportunity to bring something truly unique to this space, so being able to provide more entertainment at no added cost to the fairgoer is a huge win,” said State Fair Director Julie LaFave.

A BBQ fried rib from Lawrence and Perry Barbeque. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

4. Fried ribs from Lawrence and Perry Barbeque

Located on Military Row, a vendor from North Carolina is bringing their popular fried ribs to the New York State Fair. Lawrence and Perry Barbeque will have plain, BBQ, sweet chili, lemon pepper, jerk and Carolina golden BBQ-flavored fried baby back pork ribs.  

Additionally, they will have their “slop bucket” which layers fries, mac and cheese, pulled chicken, baked beans and coleslaw.

5. New accessibility features

The State Fair has had sensory rooms for the last few years, but they added a new sensory room in the now Creative Arts building – formerly the Art and Home Center. The Creative Arts building will also feature competitions such as culinary contests, photography, flower arrangements and more. 

Additionally, they brought in Momentum Refresh, a company that operates fully accessible and ADA-compliant mobile restrooms and changing space. It has an adjustable adult sized changing table, overhead ceiling hoist and a height-adjustable sink.

The caramel apple potato from the potato booth now operated by Tully’s. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

6. The newly managed potato booth

In an effort to highlight New York agriculture, the potato booth in the Horticulture building will now feature only New York-produced ingredients, including potatoes, sour cream, butter, cheese and even apples. In partnership with Beak & Skiff, Tully’s Good Times, the new operator of the booth, created a caramel apple potato with apple chutney, caramel, whipped cream and cinnamon sugar. There are also chicken wing dip and chili potatoes.