Not close enough for our State Fair (Syracuse, NY I believe...and it's almost 4 hours away from me)...but we have a pretty large County Fair (Erie County) which we try to go to a couple times while in it's 12 day duration.
The food is the best, and every year it's always fun to see what kind of new concoctions they come up with. And they seem to DEEP FRY EVERYTHING!!! Tacos, raviolis, oreos, cool aide, butter, twinkies, snickers, cheesecake, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, peanut butter and jelly, pickles, manicotti, reeses, cookie dough, cheese curds, pierogi, gummy bears...are only some of the deep fried goodies! Donut burgers were a favorite too...sooo yummy...sweet and salty!
I like to visit the animals, eat, and browse the vendors

Now that my kids are older we don't tend to do the rides or games as much. We like the hypnotist, random acrobat shows and pig races. I used to march in the fair marching band when I was in high school...so I try to catch them perform too. My son goes every year with my brother-in-law for the demolition derby which he loves.
** I almost forgot! Playing "I Got It" and kettle corn is always a must!!!