Looking to capture a memory at the New York State Fair this summer? Aside from the photos of you enjoying decadent desserts or the reinstated “Cuse Juice” slushies, the fairgrounds are filled with great photo op spots, like the “Super Selfie” State Fair themed billboard inside Gate 10 pictured above.
If you’re looking to fill out your Instagram grid, stop by the “Super Selfie” board and visit these 14 additional spots where you’ll want to snag a selfie at the fair this year.
I Love NY & the State Fair logo
Right inside Gate 1 are two photo spots you can’t miss and are a must when visiting the 2021 NYS Fair. These larger-than-life signs celebrating New York State and the fair make for a great backdrop as you begin your day of enjoying all the fairgrounds have to offer.
Butterfly wings
Just a short distance away from Gate 1, inside the Science and Industry building, the New York State Department of Mental Health has a table set up with two large butterfly wing stations painted by local Central New York artists. Their booth offers up lots of free giveaways and resources to support mental health services.
Butter sculpture
Nothing is more iconic at the New York State Fair than a shot in front of the Butter Sculpture inside the Dairy Building. Posing in front of a work of art made from 800 pounds of butter is a must-do.
“Milk Moves You” animated GIF
Also inside the Dairy Building is the American Dairy Association North East’s “Milk Moves You” booth where you can pose for photos which will be transformed into an interactive GIF created featuring Team USA Olympic bronze medal winner, Ariel Torres. As if getting the animated GIF wasn’t fun enough, participating in the booth also gets you entry into their sweepstakes for prizes.
Giant Adirondack Chair
Located at the State Park inside the fair next to the small pond, an oversized Adirondack chair sits for plenty of photo ops. This is also the second chance for you to get a custom animated GIF of you and your crew. Staff is there to assist you in creating the GIF. Once you’re there, you’ll also want to complete the New York State trivia quiz for some free I Love NY swag.
Butterfly kisses
While the Horticulture Building is pretty quiet this year, there is one beautiful exhibit back again this year. Get up close and personal with five different kinds of domestic butterflies in the Sky River Butterflies tent. If you’ve been to this tent before, you may notice it is missing some of its more exotic winged visitors. Unfortunately, the pandemic travel hasn’t only affected humans. There are still plenty of butterflies and colorful moths to pose with this year.
Make friends with a raptor
If you want to take a photo for a good cause, stop by the Flying Bird Shows in the State Park outside the Art and Home Center. These shows are put on by Hawk Creek Wildlife Center and for $10, you can take lots of photos with one of their flying raptors on your arm while getting to ask all of your questions to one of their handlers. While who you get to pose with depends on which raptor is “working,” each one is an impressive photo partner.
Live that farm life
We may not all be farmers, but we can pretend to be one for a moment at the New York State Fair. A classic “face in the hole” board sits outside the Llama, Goat, and Swine Building depicting two farmers and a dairy goat.
Sand sculpture
The sand sculpture is almost complete inside the Expo Center, so now is the perfect time to grab a photo in front of it. This year’s theme involves coronavirus particles, the vaccine, and a thank you to essential workers.
New York State Fair Mural
Like the sand sculpture, you can watch graffiti artist Arcy create a gigantic mural inside the Expo Center at the NYS Fair. The start is a homage to Woodstock, but as you travel down the canvas, you can see familiar characters and local spots that will emerge as they continue to paint.
Petting zoo
Though there are no goats and llamas to pose with right now, and all little piggies stayed home, the petting zoo is still full of hungry photo bombers. Bend down and snag a photo with some excited goats or reach up and feed one very tall giraffe in the Family Fun Zone past the Llama, Goat, and Swine building.
WELCOME
If a concert at Chevy Park or the midway are your big attractions at the NYS Fair, you’ll likely want to come in Gate 10, by the Beef Cattle Barn. There you will see a large “Welcome” sign as you enter the fair.
Rooftop deck
One of the best photo spots this year might be atop the new Coco Deck located outside the Grange Building and Poultry Barn. Grab a frosty drink and watch the sun set over the fairgrounds.
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