{"id":166226,"date":"2025-08-22T10:16:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/166226\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T10:16:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:16:14","slug":"todays-handpicked-menu-and-schedule-this-is-cny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/166226\/","title":{"rendered":"Today\u2019s handpicked menu and schedule \u2013 This is CNY"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"NYS Fair 2025 The first round of competitions was Thursday in the Dairy Cow Building at the 2025 New York State Fair. So farmers spent the morning prepping their entries for show. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller\/(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)) <\/p>\n

Geddes, N.Y. \u2014 After a slow start on Wednesday, the New York State Fair is finally buzzing. Sunshine and warmer temps have pulled the crowds back, and today brings plenty to keep them here: Pride Day celebrations from morning flag-raisings to a colorful evening parade, live fishing lessons for families, a llama costume contest in the barns, and a lineup of free concerts that ends with a Lady Gaga tribute at Chevy Court.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Menu<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019m at the fair every day and night. Some call it work, others call it gluttony. I call it research. My beat is food and drinks for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard<\/a>, so I\u2019m eating my way across the fairgrounds one fried, smoked or sugar-coated thing at a time. Got a must-try? A hidden gem? Text me at 315-382-1984<\/b>. If it sounds good, I\u2019ll track it down, take a bite and maybe even pull up a chair with you. Fair warning: I might pick up the tab\u2026 and then steal your fries.<\/p>\n

Breakfast: <\/b>Peggy O\u2019Donnell has been working the register at the Courtside Grill inside the Center of Progress Building since 1992. Back in June, she sent me a letter urging me to stop by for breakfast during this year\u2019s fair.<\/p>\n

So I did. And I ordered exactly what she told me to: biscuits and gravy. The cooks here make the gravy fresh each morning, stirring in just-grilled Gianelli sausage. They spoon two ladles of the silky stuff over buttered biscuits that are still warm from the griddle.<\/p>\n

At the fair, breakfast isn\u2019t just the most important meal; it\u2019s the first step in a marathon.<\/p>\n

\"\"NYS Fair menu Biscuits and gravy from the Courtside Grill inside the Center of Progress Building at the 2025 New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller\/(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)) <\/p>\n

Dinner:<\/b> You won\u2019t miss Chick-N-Que. They\u2019re the new kids from North Carolina with a giant inflatable chicken head bobbing over their truck parked next to the Poultry Building on Iroquois Street. Their specialty? Bird burgers. We\u2019re talking $20 smashburgers made from ostrich, duck and, of course, chicken.<\/p>\n

I went with the chicken version, mostly because I\u2019d never had a hamburger made out of, well, chicken. (Sounds healthier, right? Don\u2019t worry, I didn\u2019t.) I asked them to make it spicy, and the cooks grinned like they\u2019d been waiting for the challenge. The result wasn\u2019t exactly \u201cspank my ass and call me Charlie\u201d hot, but it packed enough punch to make me sweat.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be back for the duck and ostrich soon.<\/p>\n

\"\"Chick-N-Que A chicken smashburger from Chick-N-Que at the 2025 New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller\/(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)) <\/p>\n

Beer of the day<\/b>: Today\u2019s pick of the litter at The Beer Garden isn\u2019t a beer at all. It\u2019s 1911\u2019s Maple Bourbon Hard Cider. Sweet with maple and vanilla but smoothed out by a touch of bourbon barrel, it\u2019s like dessert in a glass and a fun break from the usual fruity ciders.<\/p>\n

Schedule<\/b><\/p>\n

Detailed daily schedule for Friday, Aug. 22<\/a><\/p>\n

Concerts<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00bb Lily Rose<\/a>, 1 p.m. at Chevy Court<\/p>\n

\u00bb Neon Trees<\/a>, 6 p.m. at Chevy Court<\/p>\n

\u00bb The Lady Gaga Tribute<\/a>, 9 p.m. at Chevy Court<\/p>\n

\u00bb Jessie Murph<\/a>, 8 p.m. at Suburban Park<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s forecast<\/b><\/p>\n

You can bring the summer clothes back out for Day 3<\/a><\/p>\n

Latest News<\/b>Fair Basics<\/b><\/p>\n

Hours:<\/b> 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Midway is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Buildings are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. <\/p>\n

Tickets<\/b>: $8 for an adult. Kids 12 and under and adults 65 and older get in free. Buy tickets online in advance<\/a> or use a kiosk at the gate. Cash is NOT accepted.<\/p>\n

Parking:<\/b> $12 per car. Buy parking passes<\/a> in advance online. EZPass is no longer a payment option for parking.<\/p>\n

Smoking: <\/b>Only allowed outside the gates in designated area. <\/p>\n

Coolers: <\/b>Allowed for food and non-alcoholic drinks<\/p>\n

Pets:<\/b> Not allowed, unless they are working dogs or in a competition. <\/p>\n

Alcohol:<\/b> Last call for booze is 10:30 p.m. each day.<\/p>\n

State fair newsletter:<\/b> Stay up-to-date on all New York State Fair news, food, music, schedules and more with our free newsletter. It\u2019s emailed to you each morning. Click here to sign up<\/a>.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Charlie Miller<\/b> finds the best in food, drinks and fun throughout Central New York \u2014 no freebies, no pay-to-play, no favors, just honest eats. You can call or text him at (315) 382-1984 or email cmiller@syracuse.com<\/a>. Follow @HoosierCuse on Instagram<\/a> and X<\/a>, and sign up for his Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n