Freak Shows, Fried Snickers In Bacon And Other Delights At The New York State Fair

Where can you eat a triple bypass, get a 25 cent foot massage, count mullets, see the head of a beautiful girl on the body of an ugly snake, mingle with filthy swine and pick up a novelty license plate emblazoned with the Confederate flag? That would be the New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York, which runs through Labor Day. Most Americans hear the words “New York” and conjure up images of an urban jungle filled with sophisticated people who drink fair trade coffee and don’t own television sets. But New York isn’t all about the Big Apple – it’s a huge state with plenty of rural, pastoral beauty and there’s no better place to get a flavor of the state’s small town charms than the New York State Fair, held every summer since 1841.

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I started my fair experience on Wednesday with a freak show. The cavernous fairgrounds are filled with farm animals, every type of fried food imaginable, midway rides and games, psychics, and hordes of people in all shapes and sizes. It’s sensory overload but a tinny voice coming out of a loudspeaker caught our attention.

STOP! WAIT! How could this ever come to be? She has traveled throughout the world telling her strange story of how her body transformed into an ugly snake to thousands of people. See Angel, the snake girl, with the head of a lovely girl on the body of an ugly, scaly, 200-pound snake.

My older son Leo, 5, and I couldn’t resist, so we plunked down $1.50 and headed inside. The “beautiful girl” was a haggard, middle-aged woman whose “story” seemed to consist of nothing more than her maniacal cackling, and we were kicked out after trying to shoot video (see above). But getting ripped off is an important part of any state fair experience, as is sampling all of the incredibly unhealthy food options.

I saw stands selling corn dogs, fried dough, dough nuggets, funnel cakes, and wild hog wings before I finally came upon a stand selling vegetables and thought that perhaps I needed a new prescription. Mushrooms, zucchini and cauliflower? But upon closer inspection, it turned out they were all fried. Phew. And then I came across Jim Hasbrook’s Fried Specialties, a kind of Shangri-La for people unconcerned by clogged arteries.

Jim sells just about anything you can imagine deep-fried: pop tarts, PB & J, lasagna, pizza, jellybeans, cheese curds, and a host of other delicacies.

“Last year we tried selling deep fried butter too,” Hasbrook said. “But it melts too quick and the truth is, it doesn’t taste that good.”

So Hasbrook dropped the deep-fried butter but brought back two other hugely popular specialties – deep-fried snickers wrapped in bacon, and a treat he calls the “triple bypass,” which is PB & J, two Oreos and two chocolate chip cookies, all fried, of course. When I asked Jim and one of his employees, Matt, if they felt bad about serving such decidedly unhealthy treats they were unapologetic.

“It’s no worse than French fries or chicken wings,” said Matt, a rail thin 20-something who said he eats the fried treats all day long. “People put a bad name on fried food because they think it’s so bad for you, but it’s really not because everything gets stuck inside your gut anyways.”

After spending roughly the gross national product of Namibia on rides and games for my two little boys, we almost bit on another freak show – a 29-inch tall woman on display for $1 a peak, billed as a “West Indies Cultural Exhibit.” Instead, we hit some of the farm animal exhibits – cows, sheep, goats, lamas, horses and, my favorite: pigs! In the Dairy Cattle Barn, I got to meet a few farmers, but felt like I needed to keep my voice down, as a host of others that had been up during the night tending to their animals were fast asleep on cots (see photo).

I bumped into Eli Stoltman, from Georgetown, New York, just as he was gently kicking one of his prize swines, trying to rouse him from a nap.

“I’m due to show him in the next round but the little rascal won’t wake up,” he said.

“What’s his name?” I asked.

“Well, he doesn’t really have a name because he’s going to be eaten,” he said, as the swine rolled back over and went back to sleep.

Visiting a state fair is like getting a snapshot of life in rural, red-state America. The food is plentiful, the people are open, honest and approachable, and you see plenty of not-very politically correct things, like Confederate flag license plates, mullet count boards and Captain Porkin’ T-shirts. Every urbanite should go at least once to see how the other half lives.

On my way out, I paid $3 to let a carnie guess my age.

“Take your sunglasses off,” he commanded.

I did as I was told, and he said, “There we go, I can see your age right there in your eyes.”

And sure enough, he nailed my age, guessing that I was two months older than I actually am. I had been hoping for an ego boost but left with a reminder to lay off the deep-fried snickers wrapped in bacon.

(Photos and videos by Dave Seminara)

Syracuse, New York, offers $1 deals for March Madness

In celebration of Syracuse University Orange’s #1 seed in March Madness, the city is featuring a “1 for 1 All the Way” campaign, offering a variety of $1 deals. Twenty-two local hotels, restaurants, spas, museums and theaters are offering discounts for the Orange’s run through the NCAA Tournament. To receive all promotions, just mention “1 for 1 All the Way.” Check out some of the top deals below, or go to Visit Syracuse for a complete list and more information.

Hotel Skyler

Recently opened is Hotel Skyler (pictured right), once a temple and then a theater until it was turned into a hotel. Now, it’s an eco-chic LEED Platinum Hotel that offers a mixture of retro and metropolitan style with “organic comfort.” In honor of March Madness, the property is offering visitors who purchase two nights at the “best available rate” to get a third night for $1.

The offer is valid until April 10, 2012, on new reservations only. Call 1-800-365-4663 or 315-476-4212 to book. Lakeland Winery

Lakeland Winery was the first custom winemaking facility in New York and offers wine tours, classes and even the chance to make your own wine and label. Throughout March, the winery will be selling select bottles of red and white wine for $1.

Hours are Monday to Friday, 4:00 to 8:00 a.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jefferson Clinton Hotel

Located in Armory Square, the Jefferson Clinton Hotel (pictured right) is an eco-friendly property and a member of the Historic Hotels of America. It was originally built in 1927 as an upscale hotel, but had to shut down after the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Under new management, the accommodation was able to reopen in June of 2001 and has been a Quality Award Winner for the past six years, as well as the Hotel of the Year in 2003. For March Madness, they’re offering guests who stay two nights a third night for $1.

Deal available until May 1, 2012, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday arrivals. Black out dates include April 19, 20, 21, 27. Call 315-425-0500 to book.

Belladerma Wellness Spa

Belladerma Wellness Spa is a boutique day spa that offers personalized service and treatments. To help celebrate March Madness, the spa is offering a deal on their UltrasonicFacial – buy one for $75, get one for $1. The treatment involves cleansing sound waves that bolster cell repair and muscle tone. The treatment is followed by an arm and hand massage, as well as a moisturizing mask.

Available until May 1, 2012. Call 315-751-1439 to book.

Onondaga Historical Association Museum and Research Center

The mission of the Onondaga Historical Association Museum and Research Center is to “inspire people’s understanding that the history we share as a community is the foundation for our future together.” Visitors will learn about the beginnings of central New York, transportation, architecture, agriculture and more through exhibits like “Agriculturally Speaking,” “Birth of a County” and “Crossroads of New York.” Through March, the historical association is offering the following deals:

  • Syracuse China Standards- Buy one at $10, get a second for $1.
  • CD’s direct from the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra collection- Buy them for $1 each.
  • Syracuse China Approved Sample Plates- Buy one at $15, get a second for $1.
  • OHA Signature DVD’s- Buy one at $19.98, get a second for $1.

Limit one deal per item, per customer.

Elsbeth Rose

A boutique clothing store, Elsbeth Rose sells fine women’s clothing and accessories in classic and urban styles. Their most popular location is in Armory Square, where you will find dresses, pants, tops and accessories by designers such as Ronen Chen and Isda. This is the location you’ll want to stop in during your March Madness visit as they are offering the chance to buy one Alternative Tee Shirt and get a second of equal value for $1.

Available until the end of the NCAA tournament.

Empire Brewing Company

Established in 1994, the Empire Brewing Company is a bohemian downtown bar and grill that also houses an award-winning brewery. For the eco-conscious, the venue uses only local ingredients, and even won a Snail of Approval Award from Slow Food for its efforts. In honor of March Madness, Empire Brewing Company is offering 16 ounce pints of house-made brews for $1.

Deal available during Syracuse University men’s basketball NCAA Tournament games.

1060 Restaurant

1060 Restaurant is an easy-going restaurant with an upscale feel. The venue uses locally sourced ingredients to create a menu of American and international cuisine, like Greek-style vegetarian pitas, mesquite-smoked pulled pork sliders, and Atlantic salmon. Until April 10, the restaurant will be honoring March Madness by offering $1 domestic beers.