I stopped by the Iowa State Fair while passing through Des Moines yesterday. Was pretty surprised at how many people go to it. The only other state fair I've been to is Missouri's, which by my observation, isn't as big of a deal as Iowa's. Iowa's fairground is nicer than Missouri's also, much because it has some terrain that makes it more interesting and prettier. Seemed like a much greater emphasis on farming type competitions in Iowa than Missouri, it was really neat to see them being more important and bigger.

People were throwing money at overpriced mediocre food and $8 beers like it was the only place in Iowa where they sell food and beer.

Ours is old and antiquated. Same thing year after year. I no longer have age ride appropriate kids I usually go once just to walk through art exhibate. The biggest reason I usually go is that it held here in Pueblo. If it were in Denver I wouldn't bother.

State Fair is a big deal in Texas (Dallas). We've gone a few times in past years. It's big and it will wear your ass out if you want to see everything. It's not in my wheel-house though. I've come to really hate crowds, don't care for Fair Food and don't go on rides or do the midway stuff. So not much for me.

What has 80 legs and 14 teeth?



The funnel cake line at the state fair.

I grew up in Springfield Il where the state fair was a big deal. I can still smell the livestock barns and machinery tents, hear the clank of horseshoes in the horseshoe tent, and tractor pulls, the taste of the corn dogs (they were invented there). Great memories

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
State Fair is a big deal in Texas (Dallas). We've gone a few times in past years. It's big and it will wear your ass out if you want to see everything. It's not in my wheel-house though. I've come to really hate crowds, don't care for Fair Food and don't go on rides or do the midway stuff. So not much for me.

Don't forget Big Tex, but I am with you. It isn't an event for me.

Michigan doesn't have one anymore. It was eventually killed-off by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2009, following year-after-year of decreasing attendance.

The State Fairgrounds used to be just inside the Detroit border. My guess is the fair was just another victim of the 1967 Detroit riots and the gradual decline of the city--all exacerbated by misguided left liberal policies and initiatives.

State (and some county) fairs in Kentucky have went from being fun family traditions to a place where you sweep up the eyeballs at the end of the night.

Shootings, stabbing, and fights are common place. Urban yutes run wild and attempt to destroy anything they touch.

I haven’t been to a state fair here in CA, but the MN state fair was an enjoyable annual event. It was smack in the center of the Twin Cities, so easy access. Close-in parking was difficult, but a major mall had free state fair parking and free periodic busses ran between the mall and the fair grounds.

The usual state fair stuff. Livestock judging, farm implement displays, homemaker cooking judging, carnival stuff, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
I grew up in Springfield Il where the state fair was a big deal. I can still smell the livestock barns and machinery tents, hear the clank of horseshoes in the horseshoe tent, and tractor pulls, the taste of the corn dogs (they were invented there). Great memories

The state fair is going on now. But thanks to Governor Jelly Belly it is a shadow of it's former self. I heard that 40% of the vendors declined to set up. Still some of the food was ok priced and the Tom Thumb donuts are still as good as ever!

We actually have a U.P. State Fair. Held in Escanaba. Its a big deal.

It’s the best state fair in the State.

Never been to one in Florida. I assume they have alligator on a stick? Now the the Wisconsin State Fair in ‘Tosa was fun a gazillion years ago. So was Summerfest and the church festivals. Selling cheap beer as a fundraiser at the church festivals always cracked me up.

Stopped in TX on vacation. We were impressed with how clean the fairgrounds were. TN was tiny. Thought about going to Iowa's but health issues have stopped us

My Dad used to tell me about the Nebraska state fair, he claimed his favorite booth was the one where you could guess the weight of the corn queen. My mom didn't like that story so much.

Navy guy and I are on the same wave length.
To borrow a phrase from JAllen, “I’d rather pick cotton.”

ours was at RIC, then they separated and now it is up the road a bit in Doswell

haven't been in 25 yrs,

Here you'd have to park miles away, after waiting several hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic to get there...simply to pay $200-300 depending on your family size, before you ever even set foot inside. Then, you can't afford anything there, it's standing room only...everywhere, and nothing is worth it.

We haven't been in decades, and occasionally forget about the state fair...only to get screwed in traffic for forgetting. I try to avoid all work that requires travel near the area. We turn down the work, or charge double for anything near it.

I once attended the Iowa state fair back in 1995. I really enjoyed it.

I showed horses and participated in several related events in the Oregon State fair in the mid-90's, and remember enjoying that. Living at the fair all week is an experience.

I used to go to the Texas State Fair here in Dallas, but haven't done so for several years. I did the Iowa State Fair in 2011 (on my way home from an auto trip) and the Alaska State Fair in Palmer in 2007 (part of a land tour). They can be fun to visit, but I've kind of gotten over it at my age (83).

My photos of the Iowa 2011 Fair are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157627920571856/

A few photos of the Alaska State Fair in 2007 are in this album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157602947178274/

flashguy

No love for show tunes here.