The 2021 NYS Fair is open. But these buildings and spaces are definitely closed

A padlock on the front door of the Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum at the 2021 NYS Fair.Don Cazentre

The huge Youth Building on the New York State Fair's West End stands completely empty. A black curtain blocks access to a whole corner of the Horticulture Building. A padlock seals the front door of the State Agriculture Museum.

These are among the buildings and spaces that are closed for the 2021 State Fair, the first since Covid 19 cancelled the entire 2020 event.

Many buildings and stands are up and running, of course. And more vendors are arriving this weekend, especially those coming from the recently ended Erie County Fair near Buffalo.

But there are gaps. It's especially noticeable over on the West End where the Youth Building, the former Empire music stage, and the Future Farmers of America and 4H spaces are all empty.

"It's pretty lonely out here," said Monica Bova, owner of the Alivero's food and drink stand on the far West End. "No activity over here at all."

Here's a look at some of the notable closed or partially closed buildings and spaces at this year's Fair.

The block-long Youth Building on the NYS Fair's Wst End is closed for 2021.Don Cazentre

This is a huge building that takes up almost a full "block" on the fairgrounds’ West End. It typically hosts children's activities, 4-H demonstrations etc. Uncertainty earlier this year about whether indoor spaces would be open contributed the cancellation of all activities here.

The nearby outdoor spaces and tents typically occupied by 4-H and the Future Farmers of America are also empty.

The Wool Center near Restaurant Row is closed for the 2021 NYS Fair.Don Cazentre

This little building, which sits on Restaurant Row near the Sheep Barn, closed for 2021. It typically houses demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting with wool. A sign this year reads: "Sorry we are not open this year. We will see EWE in 2022!"

The site that once held the Empire music stage on the NYS Fair's West End is closed for now, but will host the fair's Latino Village from Sept. 3 to 6.Don Cazentre

The concrete pad on the West End that used to hold a stage for smaller music acts and entertainment is empty. That's partly because the Chevy Park Stage just west of the Midway has expanded and his hosting big concerts this year. But the former Empire stage site will be used later in the Fair to host the Latino Village, which runs Sept. 3 to 6.

The Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum near Restaurant Row is closed for the 2021 NYS Fair.Don Cazentre

A padlock seals the green front door of the Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum just to the side of Restaurant Row. It typically houses and displays antique farm equipment, a carriage museum and exhibits on the farming industry in New York.

Closed sections of the Horticulture Building at the 2021 New York State Fair.Ben Axelson | [email protected]

The Horticulture Building is open, but for the first few days of the Fair it's looked pretty empty. And a wing at the back is cordoned off with a black curtain. That's where food stands like Carr's Cove, Doug's Fish Fry and Catering at the Oaks are usually located.

The Wegmans Demonstration Kitchen at the NYS Fair's Art Home Center is closed and used for Covid testing at the 2021 fair.Don Cazentre

This building, sandwiched in the row between the Center of Progress and the Empire Room, is partly open, but most of it is serving a totally new purpose: The Martha Eddy Room, traditionally used to show quilts and other hand-made home decor, is now dedicated as a space for people to get Covid vaccinations. The Wegmans Demonstration Kitchen has been turned into a Covid testing site. The room housing the Wurlitzer organ is also closed. There are no culinary contest winners. The one remaining traditional exhibit features photography and fine art.

The NY State Fair wine court, where wineries once sold slushies and more, is not at The Colonnade this year. Most have moved to Broadway near the Midway.Don Cazentre

These spaces just have a sort of empty feeling.

The Colonnade has been home to the Wine Court, with half a dozen stands pouring wine slushies and more. In the past it also hosted one of of the two New York Brew Pub location. This year, that space is empty and open for seating or relaxing. The wineries are now found along Broadway leading to the West End, and this New York Brew Pub location moved to a spot near Villa Pizze Fritte.

The far corner of Chevy Court has hosted the the big Gianelli Sausage / Dinosaur Bar-B-Que stand for years. With that stand pulling out of this year's Fair, it's just filled with picnic tables.

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Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at [email protected], or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.

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