The Most Iconic State Expos, from Minnesota to Texas
In commemoration of the country’s 250th birthday, a massive festival, known as the Great American State Fair, started in late July in Washington, DC, and runs until July 10. It features displays from all 56 American states and territories, and also offers live music, rodeos, carnival rights and unique foods from every state. It’s modeled on the iconic American state fair, held every summer in locations across the country. Many state fairs are centered around agricultural matters, including livestock displays, 4-H booths and harvest competitions. Carnivals are an essential component of the state fair, as is the so-called “fair food,” such as elephant ears, corn dogs, popcorn and cotton candy.
While there are only two states—Rhode Island and Connecticut—that don’t sponsor their own state fair, there are some state fairs that have become legendary. A few of the most storied state fairs include:
- The Minnesota State Fair—The big daddy of them all, the Minnesota State Fair, located in the Falcon Heights neighborhood in St. Paul, sees about two million visitors every year. It runs for 12 days at the end of summer, culminating on Labor Day (September 7 this year). Known nationally for the wide range of unusual foods, including a wide range of deep-fried treats and about 60 foods “on a stick,” the so-called “Great Minnesota Get-Together” also has thousands of livestock, a livestock birthing center, hundreds of crafts and arts exhibits and the annual sculpture of Princess Kay of the Milky Way, carved in a 90 pound block of butter.
- The State Fair of Texas—Held at historic Fair Park in Dallas, under the watchful eye of Big Tex, the 55-foot-tall mascot of the fair, this 24-day event has thrilled visitors every year since 1886. This expo also draws around 2 million visitors, with a parade through downtown Dallas kicking off the festivities. Held a little later than most state fairs, its main event has long been the Red River Rivalry, the annual pigskin clash between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma. The culinary specialty here is deep-fried food, including Twinkies and Oreos, butter, avocados, alligator, peanut butter, cheesecake and bananas, among other treats.
- The Iowa State Fair—This is the one of Hollywood Legend, inspiring a 1932 book, which became a non-musical movie in 1933 and the well-known musical film in 1945. The fair began in Fairfield in 1854 and now takes place in Des Moines. There’s always a life-sized sculpture of a cow carved in butter, but there have also been butter likenesses of such diverse subjects as Garth Brooks, John Wayne, a Harley-Davidson and da Vinci’s Last Supper. Look for meats on a stick, including pork chops, hot dogs, and bacon.
Come Join the Fun This Summer
The state fair…the perfect time to get outside and have fun. Whether it’s Minnesota, Texas, Iowa or your home state, you’ll find fascinating displays and good eating in a festival atmosphere.
