Updated at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday
State Fair officials announced Wednesday that the baby goat petting station has been shut down and will not reopen during the fair's 13-day run. In a statement, officials said veterinarians with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets were conducting a routine health check, when they noticed one of the goats was "exhibiting signs of a viral disease that could potentially be transmitted to the other goats in the exhibit." Out of an abundance of caution, officials decided to close the exhibit.
Original Story
The New York State Fair opens Wednesday morning and runs through Labor Day. For State Fair Director Julie LaFave, the next 13 days are go time. She said every year is different, but it's about finding balance between old and new.
"It's finding that balance between what needs to be preserved and what we really should be obligated to preserve, but times change and so we're trying to find that balance of even if we have new builds we try to make them still look historic the way the rest of our buildings, we don't want it to stand out, we want it to match the theme of our agricultural center that we have," LaFave said.
Part of keeping with tradition is making sure the fair reflects the state's agriculture and markets. LaFave said this year's Ag and Horticulture building will better reflect that. Updated flower display spaces and a Taste New York space are helping to keep agriculture at the forefront.
Another fun way that's happening? Baby goats. Lauren Steinmetz of Steinmetz Family Farm is the brains behind the new baby goat petting station. She said it's a space for people to relax and connect with animals.
"My favorite part is always seeing people come in the stand, I'm talking young to older adults, and they are just so happy, so relaxed and they just love the baby goats so much," Steinmetz said.
A new mobile dairy classroom is also helping to keep New York agriculture at the forefront. Focusing on telling the farm-to-table journey of New York dairy, the mobile unit is helping sate dairy farmers reach their customers, according to New York Animal Agriculture Coalition Director Eileen Jensen.
"This allows us to take dairy farming on the road," Jensen said. "We know that consumers are further and further removed from the farm and they can't always get to the farm, so our mobile dairy experience, we can take the farm right to the folks."
Also new at the fair, a sensory room focused on providing fairgoers with a comfortable, quiet space to take a moment away from the excitement. Excelsior Fellow Piper Cooper along with some Le Moyne College students created the quiet space to give some neurodivergent people a space to recharge
"We know everyone has a different experience so this can hopefully be one opportunity for folks to have a calming experience and kind of help balance themselves and regulate," Cooper said.
Coloring books, soft lighting, bean bag chairs, and other sensory-friendly items are all available for use.
