It is that time, the Great New York State Fair begins tomorrow. Concerts galore both paid and free, exhibits from the odd on the midway to the butter sculpture. Unsure what my favorite part of the Fair is, the smells, the food choices that are unique to the Fair, the kids faces on the midway, people watching, crowds of rednecks and crowds of yuppies to crowds of teens and their 20ish friends acting like teens. We like to people watch. It's 'Beverly Hillbillies' meets the ghetto, the me generation meets gen-x, with hippies all along the edges. In short, what a trip. Which brings us to beer. Overpriced, sometimes cool, if you're lucky it can be ice-cold beer. This year they have herded all the evil doers together with the opening of alcohol land. Just kidding, it's the International Pavilion's new look. " Two new attractions inside the building will promote New York beer and wine while 17 different restaurants will help highlight New York's culinary diversity." - from the NYS Fair website and press release. The Fair moved non-food vendors from the building and built two new permanent beverage venues, the New York Wine Bar and the New York Brew Pub. Sounds cool. They are located above the floor of the International Pavilion. American Food and Vending will operate both venues. The building has been re-painted, repaired and re-decorated, with a mural of children from around the world.  Flags from a variety of nations hang above the seating area. So if you just want some different tastes without the sausage sandwich greasing up the guy next to you, here is the place to go. The usual suspects will still dot the landscape, so fear not. Your traditional spots should, for the most part, still be in place. Within drink world, you can catch a drink and try Mexican, Chinese, etc. as they are all specialty vendors, from American Food and Vending. Uh, yeah. Pat Steer will be there daily so be sure and check her articles out for the food deal and we will try and do some dual articles, she can eat and I'll drink.  Here is the Fair's new, inter-active map, just because.  How come they don't have a 'beer' list of where to get one? I think they could sell that one! Have fun and be safe, case in point, Jamesville has more flashing lights cars lately than the southside, uh....hello? If you have so many extra officers, maybe, um, put them where there are issues daily? Yeah, thanks! This is why I stay home so much, unless you have a safe way home, don't do it.

Be smart and don’t get arrested for drinking and driving. Plan for a sober driver, take a taxi or use public transportation.

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