The New York State Fair begins on Wednesday.

Throughout the 13-day event, traffic reporter Lacey Leonardi will be giving you her “Lacey’s Look Ahead” series, which will keep you up to date on what’s coming up at the fair that you might not want to miss.

In anticipation of opening day, here’s her must-do list for her and her family.  

  1. Indian Village: Traditional Dance Performance. Yes I am part Native American, but I grew up with no exposure to the culture. There is something about the music and the dance that I love and greatly connect and appreciate when I get to watch the beautiful traditional dance. My daughter now has the same appreciation and desire to see the performance every year also.
  2. Pizza Fritte: Grab this as a gift for my husband/ peace offering for all the money we spend at the fair. He loves it.
  3. Kiki’s: Bob Cosselman’s team is so happy and service-oriented, and the Gyros are delicious,. They keep us coming back for lunch every year.
  4. Cow Barn: I spent 7 years of my childhood working on my grandparents farm, so I love seeing the dairy cows. It takes me back to that love of agriculture and family.
  5. Piglets: Same thing. My cousins raised pigs down the lane from my grandparents farm, so it just brings back precious memories that I want my daughter to have some exposer to also.
  6. Chevy Court or the Experience Stage: There is always at least one act my husband and I try to sneak away and see together. This year I would love to see 38 Special at the Experience Stage, my husband would enjoy Ice Cube.
  7. People:  I can’t name all the people I get to see at the fair, but I love being able to catch up with media partners, family and friends in a more casual and happy environment that the fair provides, because it seems like everyone is at the fair.
  8. Carol Baldwin Booth: I always love to see what new ‘pink’ swag I can buy to support Breast Cancer Research
  9. Beef Sundae: Love everything about it! It is silly, brilliant, comfort food and my fun fair food!
  10. Spectrum News Deck : Working the Fair is so fun! You get to meet all the viewers! We all have fun together and laugh a lot as a team. So many great memories over the 15 years I have worked the fair.

What our daughter & her friends love:

  1. The water gun game
  2. The caterpillar ride
  3. The log ride
  4. Any and all roller coasters
  5. Butterfly Garden
  6. Sand Sculpture
  7. Butter Sculpture
  8. Fun Houses… ALL OF THEM
  9. Indian Village
  10. Baby Animals, chicks, cows, piglets, bunnies… All of them!

What my husband loves:

  1. Pizza Fritte
  2. Seeing one or two concerts with friends
  3. A good parking space