History on a Stick: A History of American Fairs and the Great Minnesota Get Together

Close your eyes and you can just smell it: the cheese curds frying in oil, french fries, melting ice cream and ... manure? It's fair season! Except not this year. In memory of our beloved agrarian get-togethers, come along as we wax both philosophical and poetic about this timeless tradition. We'll trace the origins of these gatherings from ancient times, to Precolumbian America, to the livestock shows staged by agricultural societies in the Northeast that gave rise to our modern county and state fairs.

 

As a case study, we will take a look at what I consider to be the greatest fair of them all, the Minnesota State Fair, and examine how what started as an exposition to draw settlers to the frontier has morphed into a celebration of the unique mix of things that make a place special. Not to be forgotten will be a discussion of the unique Minnesota celebration of Minnesota's Dairy Princess - Princess Kay of the Milky Way - and her signature butter effigy. 

 

We will wrap up with some fun facts about state fairs around the country, and will sprinkle in some thoughts on fairs from great American writers along the way - and in the spirit of our fairs, we'll do it all together.

 

Theme Song: Places I've Been by Johnny Hogg

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Shout out this episode to Candian History Ehx! Prolific source of content on the history of America's upstairs neighbor.