Oh, the characters you’ll meet at the New York State Fair – like the caricature artists looking to put your memory and likeness on paper. Many on the way in or out will sit down for just a few minutes for a moment that will last a lifetime.

Alani Jimenez markets himself as the “world’s fastest caricature artist” along the midway. But when he’s at the canvas, he’s laser focused and building relationships with strangers.

Sitting across from him, you understand how important being back at work is after so many cancelled fairs and events.

“Through these hard times … we're all here, trying to get away from staying at home,” Jimenez said. “Ultimately, it has to be special, it has to be memorable so that hopefully they come back next year.”

Alani’s passion showed deeper roots, back to emigrating from the Dominican Republic at the age of 11.

“Not having running water that we had to put them in tanks and things like that, you know,” he recalled, “to now? Capturing the moment and make people smile, and that's what allows me to have a comfortable living. That is insane and amazing at the same time.”

Now it’s what’s made his family proud for generations, and something he’ll never take for granted, pandemic or not.

“To me, it's sort of a hobby that I'm making money with,” said Jimenez. “Like, I’m just always, always thankful to have this as a way of providing for the family and everything.”

There’s no rest for this character, as there are more memories and caricatures to be made.

“Thank you so much for trusting me with your face,” he said to a customer, as he has many times before.