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State Fairs

Late summer and early fall mark the advent of the state fair season. Across the United States, millions gather to visit barns and arenas filled with farm animals, to listen to bands and to engage in all the wonderful mix of activities, both traditional and modern, which make up a state fair.

In the United States, the beginnings of the agricultural fair is attributed to Elkanah Watson who exhibited a pair of Merino sheep in Western Massachusetts in the early 1800s, attracting many interested viewers. Watson's later exhibits included cattle and were soon followed by what is considered the first true agricultural fair in the U.S. held in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. By the mid-19th century, fairs had spread across the country: the first California State Fair was held in 1854 and featured gigantic carrots and beets.

The original aim of agricultural fairs was to promote good farming and animal husbandry techniques. This tradition still runs strong in modern state fairs across the United States, which feature livestock, produce, gardening and handicrafts exhibitions. For many who live in urban or suburban areas, the fair is often the only opportunity to see the velvety fur of a rex rabbit or the calm of a Holstein munching her hay.

Fairs also include many other forms of entertainment: the Midway with its Ferris wheel, game booths and cotton candy stands is a mainstay of every fair, and often the concerts at the grandstand feature big-time musicians. Fairs have their own local traditions, too, ranging from rodeos and horse racing to human cannonballs and demolition derbies.

One of the best-known state fairs is The Iowa State Fair. It has often been described as the quintessential fair, with all of the elements that make a fair both educational and entertaining. It includes one of the world's largest livestock shows, with several thousand animals, including cattle, swine, sheep, horses, goats, rabbits and poultry. The cattle barn even has a "Boulevard of Dairy Breeds" where one can view a variety of cattle breeds. The fair's competitions are wide-ranging, covering everything from dairy goats to chess, and each year the winners are awarded approximately 85,000 ribbons, rosettes and banners. The fair even has its own campgrounds, complete with a tornado shelter.

For a state that does everything on a grand scale, Texas doesn't skimp when it comes to its fair. Not only is it the largest state fair in the nation, the venue, Fair Park, is National Historic Landmark. It also boasts the tallest Ferris wheel in North America, the Texas Star.

The Illinois State fair features an ethnic village, with food, traditional entertainment and music from over a dozen different countries.

Native American relay races on horseback are held at the Montana State fair. Each rider must complete one lap around the track at full gallop before switching to a fresh horse for another lap, and finally finishing the race with a run on still yet another horse. It takes true teamwork to control the horses and to coordinate the switches.

Below is a listing of State Fairs in the United States. Click on name of any city to visit a Website about the event. If you plan to attend, check with the event's sponser to make certain of the accuracy of the information. Most of these Sites are quite entertaining and are worth viewing for some enjoyable armchair travel even if you don't plan to visit a State Fair.