The New York State Fair will be under new leadership.
Former Director Troy Waffner will become the new statewide coordinator for all of New York's county fairs, state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball announced Wednesday.
Sean Hennessey, the new assistant director, has been named interim fair director by state, Ball said.
“I’ve long said that Troy has been my right arm at the Great New York State Fair. His leadership drove the greatest period of growth in our Fair’s long history, helping it to become one of the leading fairs in the country today, while boosting economic development in Central New York," Ball said in a statement. "I’m excited to offer Troy this opportunity to put his considerable experience to broader use in helping fairs across the State grow and continue to promote the best of New York agriculture. I’m also honored to extend a warm welcome to Sean Hennessey as he joins our Fair family and look forward to a fun and successful 2022 Fair with him at the helm.”
Waffner became fair director in 2018 after serving some time as the acting director.
“I am extremely grateful and humbled to be chosen as Interim Director, and to become a part of the team that makes the magic happen," Hennessey said in a statement. "The team at the Fair is first rate, and I know that my extensive operations and emergency management experience, coupled with my years of volunteer work, will be a great complement to their hard work. I wish to thank Governor Hochul, Commissioner Ball, and the team at the Department of Agriculture and Markets for this opportunity. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves immediately and get to work with the team to put on the best possible show for fairgoers in 2022.”
The 2022 State Fair will run 13 days, from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5.