Geddes, N.Y. — Continuous drizzle and dark clouds kept New York State Fair attendance to just under 33,000 visitors Wednesday.

Opening day drew 32,736 visitors, fair officials said. Last year’s opening day drew just over 38,000.

Attendance is expected to climb over the weekend and into next week. During the 2024 fair, attendance topped 100,000 on weekends and days with sunny weather.

Gov. Kathy Hochul helped kick off this year’s fair by cutting the ribbon on the new Sheep & Wool Center. She also announced upcoming renovations to the Milk Bar, which will allow fairgoers to enjoy strawberry milk all 13 days of the fair.

Thursday will focus on the youngest fairgoers. It’s Student Youth Day, when students 18 and under get free admission.

It’s also Agriculture Career Day, which highlights

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