Newly promoted NYS Fair director sees need to balance innovation and nostalgia

It’s Sean Hennessey’s second year running the New York State Fair, and his first without the tag of “interim” fair director.

He took over the job on an interim basis in May 2022, with just three months to get a handle on his first fair. On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul promoted him full-time to the director’s job.

Hennessey says he feels a little more “comfortable” this time around with a full year to prepare.

“We’re in a solid place,” Hennessey said. “The rides, the food, the new exhibitions. It’s all good.”

He’s especially excited about several new things coming to this year’s fair, including the Dinosaur Expedition, which will bring life-sized animatronic dinosaurs to the Expo Center, and Peppa Pig Live!, based on the popular kids TV show and also featuring life-size puppets, at Chevy Court. Both are included with fair admission.

Hennessey said he’s learned a lot since coming to the fair last year. That includes a deeper understanding that the fair demands equal attention to things that are new and innovative, and things that are traditional and nostalgic.

“That’s exactly right,” Hennessey said in an interview last week. “That’s what we hear from people all the time. They like the new things, but there’s a lot of nostalgia for the past. Many people come to the fair for that reason.”

Finding that balance comes to the forefront with two of the fair’s most popular attractions: Food stands and concert acts.

“Sure, we know a lot of people miss the Dinosaur (the big food stand that featured Gianelli sausage at the edge of Chevy Court),” Hennessey said. “I get it. But then I’m looking forward to our new Asian Village this year.”

The Dinosaur Bar-B-Que / Gianelli stand pulled out of the fair two years ago is not back this year. The Asian Village makes its debut this for the first four days of the fair only, near Gate 4 and the Youth Building. It will focus on Asian and Asian-American culture, and offer some authentic…