One of the most-anticipated events of the year, the New York State Fair, opened on Aug. 23 in Syracuse and runs through Sept. 4. The annual Central New York tradition features exciting new acts and exhibits, and this year’s fair is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience for all ages.

For more than a century, the State Fair has stood as a testament to the cultural and agricultural heritage of New York, showcasing the best the Empire State has to offer. Since its grand opening in 1841, it has become one of the area’s greatest attractions. The fair is one of the largest in the country, draws visitors from throughout the northeast, and captivates audiences with a blend of entertainment and community spirit.

Year after year, the New York State Fair offers diverse attractions designed to cater to visitors of all ages. The offerings include a wide variety of foods and beverages, as well as numerous engaging competitions for attendees to participate in. As a lifelong resident of Central New York, I’m proud that fairgoers can experience a taste of this area and experience the great products our family farms provide every year.

The festivities started with the 4-H Youth Horse Show and the Annual Dog Show on Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. Throughout a Fair day, attendees can visit demonstrations like the underwater recovery team, run by the New York State Police Exhibit, the Dinosaur Expedition, magic shows, rooster-crowing competition, and so much more. The entertainment options are endless. For those looking to plan their fair experience, a detailed calendar of events can be accessed at: https://nysfair.ny.gov/your-visit/events-calendar/?date=1692763200000

 Families are in for a treat with a dedicated kid’s zone, games, and educational exhibits that are designed to engage younger generations. Exhibits include arts and crafts, a dinosaur expedition, and a historic train exhibit. The fair is committed to providing a quality and wholesome experience for all.

There is a multitude of concerts and world-class entertainers that span music, dance, comedy, and more. During the 13-day schedule, more than 50 performers will take the stage at Suburban Park and Chevy Court concerts. Some of the featured artists this year include Salt-N-Peppa, REO Speedwagon, Bell Biv Devoe, Chubby Checker, The Fray, and Foghat. 

The Great New York State Fair never disappoints. And I want to recognize and thank all the staff, volunteers, and participants who really make this event what it is. The fair has grown in size, scope, and popularity year after year, and it’s the people who dedicated so much of their time and energy who have made it a success. For information about the 2023 Great New York State Fair — from ticket sales, to schedules, and exhibits — please visit the fair’s website at nysfair.ny.gov.        

William (Will) A. Barclay, 54, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.

Americans are pessimistic about our democracy, according to a recent poll. It’s a worrisome finding. Of course, it’s easy to watch the news and conclude our government isn’t working. But we must not get to the point where we think we can’t solve our problems in a democratic fashion. That’s a danger line.

The poll, by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that majorities of American adults don’t think our laws and policies represent what most people want. Only about one in 10 gave high ratings to democracy for working well. Disturbingly, 53 percent said Congress does a poor job of upholding democratic values while only 16 percent said it does a good job. That’s hardly a show of faith in the representatives we have elected.

Another poll, by the Marist Center, found eight in 10 Americans believe democracy is under threat, but they disagree over who is at fault — half blame Democrats and half blame Republicans. Finally, the long-running Pew election survey found trust in government at a near-record low. Only 20 percent of Americans trust the government to do the right thing all or most of the time.

The findings aren’t entirely surprising. Our politics are deeply polarized. Many Republicans don’t want anything to do with Democrats, and many Democrats feel the same about Republicans. Social media and partisan cable-TV networks have divided us into warring tribes.

And we have come through a difficult period. The COVID-19 pandemic caused more than 1 million deaths, increased social isolation, strained trust in medical authorities, and gave rise to conspiracy theories. It pummeled the economy and drove millions from the workforce. Employment bounced back, but with it came the highest inflation in 40 years. Now inflation is down, but many Americans aren’t confident they can pay their bills. They give President Joe Biden low marks for his handling of the economy.

You would think Congress would work together to address these concerns. Instead, it seems to be bogged down in partisan stalemates. Gerrymandering of congressional districts has pushed Republicans to the right and Democrats to the left. There’s little common ground.

[I believe] Donald Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was stolen further undermined faith in democracy. His attacks on election officials, the justice system and even the military — echoed by some of his political rivals — have weakened trust in government. Indictments charging Trump with mishandling classified documents and conspiring to overturn the election have outraged his supporters. As the Jan. 6, 2021, invasion of the Capitol showed, that kind of anger can be dangerous.

But it’s important to remember that the U.S. has come through extreme challenges in the past, with our democratic principles intact. The Civil War ruptured the country and killed an estimated 750,000 people, North and South. In the 20th century, we survived two world wars, the Great Depression, and the Cold War. And our democracy has grown stronger. At the nation’s founding, only white men who owned property could vote. Black Americans endured slavery, followed by widespread segregation and disenfranchisement. Women didn’t gain the right to vote until the 20th Amendment was ratified in 1920.

Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. The same could be said for American democracy.

Americans are, fundamentally, a practical and optimistic people. We believe in progress, and we believe in our capacity to overcome challenges. Republican or Democrat, we want the same things. We want to live in a world that’s secure and prosperous. We want opportunity for ourselves and our children.

We need to maintain an underlying optimism about our ability to work together to solve problems. Democracy has served us well for nearly 250 years. It’s up to us to ensure it continues to thrive.        

Lee Hamilton, 92, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south-central Indiana.