Fair Lures Stay-Cationers and Football Fans

ABC News On Campus reporter Matt Markham blogs: Thousands of people are staying closer to home for their end-of-the-summer vacations, choosing a walk through the turnstiles at the Great New York State Fair.
 
  As of Thursday, 611,503 people had decided against going far from home in favor of food, concerts and rides. The fair always brings plenty of people, and plenty of money, to the Syracuse area. But this year, with a troubled economy and a stretch of terrific weather, those figures are only expected to increase.  As of Thursday, attendance was up over 41,000 visitors from last year.
 
 Fairgoers speculate that attendance could reach close to one million by the Fair’s closing on Labor Day Monday.
 
  Ryan Traynor of Boonville, N.Y.,  says he's drawn to the fair by simple tradition.  “We always come here.  I’ve been coming here since I was a kid.” 
 
  Audrey Taylor of Avon, N.Y., feels the same way.  She likes “everything about it.  The animals, the dairy, the ice cream!”  For many, the food is the cornerstone upon which this fair thrives.  Roasted corn, Italian sausages, and just about every fried food you could imagine (and some you might not, like fried macaroni and cheese) tantalize the pallets of visitors without fail.  Others enjoy the special events the fair has to offer.
 
  The Butter and Sand Sculptures display remarkable craftsmanship through an unusual medium.  Kids can have fun on the Midway rides all day for $25, and grandstand concerts always attract a crowd. This year, however, the Chevrolet Court concert stage has boasted more free concerts than before.  That is music to the ears of fairgoers, especially those looking to save a few bucks. For $10, and with children under 12 admitted free, visitors have access to every area of the fairgrounds. 
 
  One of the favorite stops for many is the Great Potato Booth. Baked potatoes sell for just $1, including any topping — butter, cheese, or sour cream. He has sold 35,000 since the fair began Aug.27, and expects many more to be sold this weekend before the fair closes on Monday.
   
  But that’s not the only deal that has people talking across the fairgrounds.
 
  This year, Syracuse University and the fair teamed up to offer a discount off admission for those holding tickets to the Orange home opener game Saturday against Minnesota. Game ticketholders can get into the fair for $5, half the regular price.