A longtime Utica area pizza maker is preparing for a sixth year at the New York State Fair.

Charlie Digristina and his staff will operate the “It’s a Utica Thing” food truck on Broadway at the fair starting today.

Getting ready to serve homemade Italian specialties at the State Fair is no easy task, but Digristina and his team are up for the challenge.

“We’re prepping and cutting all of our salami and prosciutto for our Utica greens. We’ve got five bays over here ready to boil our escarole. We’re starting to cut on the other side so, so many things happening at once,” Digristina said.

A lot has been happening the last few weeks in Digristina's pizzeria kitchen in New Hartford. His staff has been working the past month to prepare everything they can for their truck and an 18-day run at the fair.

“I think the adrenaline, the motivation of a successful state fair is really what drives myself and the team around me,” said Digristina.

Digristina's team will again serve their popular Utica greens, tomato pie and chicken riggies. They’re also serving Saranac beer and a new sandwich called “The Thing.”

“It’s just a great version of all the top picks from Utica. The tomato pie, the chicken riggies, the Utica greens, piled high in between two slices of tomato pie. It is definitely a mouthful,” Digristina said.

It’s a year in which many vendors couldn’t find help or chose not to be at the fair. But Digristina is thankful he has the help. He’s hoping a bigger menu and a centralized location with lots of signage will lead to his most successful year ever.

“You really have to be prepared. It’s a beating on your mind, on your body. But, you know when you have people and you have lines, and the business is flourishing and it’s coming in, it feels like you can make it through this,” he said.

What truly carries him is his love for Utica and his passion to share the area’s most popular cuisine.

“I’m proud of what I do, and to be able to represent my hometown to 2 million people that are coming through the fairgrounds, and an honor for me,” Digristina said.

This will be the first year It’s a Utica Thing will also be offering Saranac beer as part of a partnership with the FX Matt Brewery in Utica.