Carnival rides! Delicious food! Contests! What do all these things have in common? You can find them all at a state fair. Towards the end of summer and the beginning of fall, most states hold these special celebrations. State fairs showcase the agriculture, industry, and culture of a state.
Fairs started as events in the colonies where locals could show off their livestock, agriculture, and crafts. These events continued after the American Revolution when the colonies became states. They continued to grow until they became state-wide events. In 1841, New York held the first official New York State Fair in Syracuse. Other states began to hold their own state fairs. As state fairs attracted travelers, organizers began to think of ways to keep people at the fair at night. Soon, state fairs began to feature large carnivals with rides, games, shows, and food.
There is still a New York State Fair in Syracuse. Almost every state in the country holds a state fair. Some larger states have more than one. Every state has at least one state fair except for Hawaii, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Connecticut and Rhode Island do participate in the Big E fair. The Big E fair showcases the six states of New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
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State fairs have competitions to promote their livestock and agriculture, including pig races in several states.
Livestock and agricultural remain an important part of state fairs. Farmers win awards for the best cattle, best pigs, and best vegetables at state fairs all around the country. Local councils and youth development organizations such as the 4-H Club sponsor awards for art, service projects, and leadership. There are also many competitions that are just for fun. One of these is a beard growing competition in Iowa. Kansas holds a duct tape design competition. Several states hold mullet growing competitions. A mullet is a hairstyle in which hair is short in the front, but long in the back.
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This llama has been dressed up as part of a llama costume contest, one of many strange attractions found at state fairs.
State fairs are also known for their unique food and unusual attractions. The Minnesota State Fair has almost 80 food items on a stick, so people can walk around the fair while eating. These food items range from corn dogs and pie to items such as spaghetti and meatballs or fried alligator. State fairs also feature many outlandish attractions. Several midwestern states display large cow sculptures made from butter. The State Fair of Texas features life-size statues of dinosaurs that were discovered in Texas.
What Do You Think? Have you ever been to a state fair? If you have, what was your favorite part about it? If you haven’t been to a state fair, what attraction or event would you like to see the most?
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair/MidwestLiving.com
