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A flight from Anchorage, Alaska, to Syracuse isn’t a common route, but the trip is worth it for Eli Haney. Haney is a co-founder of Eli’s Dyes, a clothing and lifestyle brand with a booth at this year’s Great New York State Fair.

“With the company’s expansion, this year was the first realistic year that we could support doing the fair,” Haney said. “I’ve heard it’s a challenging fair to get accepted to, but they seem thrilled to have us and accepted us right away.”

Eli’s Dyes is among several first-time Fair vendors. Though their journeys to the fairgrounds are different, they all aim to spread positivity to fairgoers.

Haney started Eli’s Dyes in 2017 with his friend Eli Neaves after the two served as helicopter rescue swimmers in the United States Coast Guard. The company began from their love of positive vibes, adventures and tie-dye. Haney and Neaves started selling their clothing and accessories at local farmers markets and art walks before moving on to larger fairs and festivals, like Outside Lands in San Francisco. Eventually, they quit their jobs to focus on Eli’s Dyes full-time. The seven-year journey has taken the two Elis from Alaska to California and now New York.

“We always like to joke with people that we went from saving lives to slinging dyes,” Haney said. “We both had a lot of natural passion and wanted to make a difference in the world and help people.”

Growing up in a small Alaskan town, Haney never experienced something quite like the Fair. Bringing his product and energy to a new group of people inspired Haney to work harder than ever.

Becoming a national brand has brought significant logistical challenges to Eli’s Dyes, and the two owners are constantly traveling around the lower 48 states. Still, Haney feels confident in their ability to support the inventory and travel required to bring their clothes to thousands of people.

“When people come to our booth, they’re not just getting a tie-dye t-shirt or garment. They’re getting more of an experience,” Haney said. “Based on some of the interactions I’ve had over the week and the connections that I’ve felt with people in the booth, I can truthfully say that happiness has mutually been spread.”

Other vendors like Henna Squad had shorter trips to the Fair, but the travel was equally as rewarding. Based in Jamaica, New York, Fatima and her husband Ali, who preferred not to share their last names, started Henna Squad in 2014 to bring traditional Indian Henna to a new audience. Fatima is from Hyderabad, India, and has been an artist for most of her life. Much like Eli’s Dyes, she began creating Henna designs in private for friends and family. When her work started to gain traction, she decided to turn her passion into a business.

In southern India, Henna paste is made from crushing Henna plant leaves. The practice symbolizes joy in many cultures. In ancient times, Henna tattoos were used in place of physical jewelry to adorn the body for celebrations.

“It could be any celebration and happiness that we celebrate,” Ali said. “People come to the fair to hang out and have fun, and that’s a part of a celebration.”

Fatima and Ali educate guests on Henna’s history and how it works. Traditionally, Henna tattoos are intentionally designed for specific purposes, such as weddings and birthdays. However, when Henna Squad is at the Fair, the artwork is less symbolic, and guests can stop by the booth for a quick, temporary tattoo.

Another difference between the Henna done at the Fair and traditional, celebratory designs is the education the Henna Squad provides visitors. For many guests, the Henna Squad booth will be the first time they get a Henna tattoo, Ali said.

To ensure guest safety, the Henna powder they use is made from plant-based, organic products like water, sugar, lemon and essential oils.

“Those are the only ingredients in it,” Ali said. “It smells great and it never causes any allergic reaction on the skin. It can be done with any person of any age.”

Ali said Henna Squad has been applying to be a vendor at the Fair for three years, and he and his wife are excited to have been selected for the first time. The Fair always looks for new vendors but has limited licensing opportunities, according to the Fair’s website. Those hoping to have a booth at the fair must submit a general application, get their menu approved and meet proper insurance qualifications.

Food truck Bees And Thank You also used the Fair to spread messages of peace and happiness. Based in Worcester, MA, Bees And Thank You is a honey-grilled cheese food truck focusing on environmentally friendly production.

They offer a gourmet raw honey-grilled cheese menu with options ranging from pulled pork, pulled chicken, bacon, and ham to gluten-free and vegan options. Ryan Margulis, president and co-founder of Bees And Thank You, said being a part of the Fair for the first time has given the business a new perspective on how many people its products and message can reach.

“Seeing how big everything is and all of the different amazing food options is so exciting. Just walking around is giving us so much inspiration,” Margulis said.

The increased number of customers has created logistical issues for Bees And Thank You, Margulis said, but the business’s priorities have remained unchanged. If they have to change their ingredients to deal with increased demand, Bees And Thank You will continue to use environmentally friendly, locally sourced components. The honey featured in the grilled cheeses comes from local apiaries that promote sustainable beekeeping practices.

“By supporting these local apiaries, you will be strengthening your body’s natural immunity while at the same time establishing a direct connection with amazing, local, small businesses,” Margulis said.

The Fair attracts an average of 1.2 million people annually and is often the largest event any vendor will experience. While the large crowd can be challenging, Bees And Thank You is enjoying its time at the fair and sharing its message with a new group of people.

“We hope to reach a larger audience and bring energy and mission to the Fair. Of course, we hope it will be our busiest fair to date, too,” Margulis said. “But more importantly, we hope to meet new people and let them know we want to save the bees and eat grilled cheese.”

Published on August 29, 2024 at 1:38 am