GEDDES, N.Y. \u2014 Umbrellas were up at the Great New York State Fair, but so were attendance numbers as fairgoers continued to show up despite the rain \u2014 leaving many to wonder how bad the weather has to get before plans change.<\/p>\n
For some visitors, rain alone wasn\u2019t enough to keep them away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe figured rain or shine we wanted to experience this and there are plenty of buildings we can run in and pop right back out. And if it sprinkles, we can handle it,\u201d fairgoer Danielle Bamford said.<\/p>\n
Behind the scenes, fair officials said their decision-making goes far beyond whether it\u2019s simply raining.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe National Weather Service is always keeping us up to date on conditions that are coming in. We have regular check-ins throughout the day because conditions change. So when they change, we go into multiple scenarios,\u201d Fair Director Julie LaFave said.<\/p>\n
LaFave said officials focus on what could happen next \u2014 including the possibility of worsening conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on if it’s just going to be rain, if it’s going to be rain with wind, high winds with potential for tornadoes, or really sunny skies,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
LaFave said the fair uses multiple tools and works with several agencies to monitor conditions and communicate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are using all available technology, including drones, to communicate. And it is with a lot of partners. It’s not just with state fair teams. It is the Department of Transportation, and it is the state troopers, National Weather Service,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
If conditions require changes, officials must quickly relay information across the fairgrounds \u2014 affecting rides, vendors, buses and fairgoers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe start those threads before the fair starts so that way you don\u2019t need to worry about, ‘ Oh, did I forget somebody,\u201d LaFave said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s almost like a phone tree. It happens automatically. We\u2019ve set it in motion before the fair even opens. And we hit send and it goes,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Fair officials said visitors can get alerts and updates through The Great New York State Fair app as weather conditions change.<\/p>\n