I have never been to our State fair-too far away. Our county fair is on the beach in Ventura, CA- a great location. I am not a fan of fairs overall- too crowded and too expensive for what we get - but I do love the giant ferris wheel that sits right on the beach, because when you are at the top you can see up and down the coast for miles.
I must be the only curmudgeon in Minnesota who doesn’t love the state fair. Everyone goes and they all claim to have a good time, but I just don’t take any pleasure in spending the day fighting traffic just to get there, then wandering around through the August heat and humidity amidst hordes of sweaty people gorging themselves on artery-clogging fried foods, many of them quite ridiculous—like deep-fried spaghetti on a stick. I’d rather stay home and read a book.
Though I will admit I’ve enjoyed Garrison Keillor’s live shows from the grandstand. He’ll be back this year but no longer under the banner of A Prairie Home Companion, the radio show from which he retired last year. And I get a kick out of the Miracle of Birth exhibit, mostly because it’s fun to see the thrill and awe on the faces of young kids watching as a sheep or hog gives birth.
Maine has lots of small fairs that are fun - I counted 25. No state fair, though.
@bclintonk, we spend a lot of time in the art & craft/food buildings, and the argricilture building at the MN fair. And we take a shave ice into the seats in horse/livestock arena for a break from the heat, and watch whatever is going on there. Also interested to see who is visiting the political booths (D2 saw Mark Dayton, the MN governor one day – “Really? That guy in khakis and a short sleeved checked shirt is our governor? He looks like a DAD.”)
I think I’m allergic to most of the animals. And even apart from that, I’m not an aficionado of livestock. See one hog and you’ve seen them all, as far as I’m concerned. I think most metro-area fairgoers have about as much interest in livestock as I have. It’s perhaps a step too far to say that the fair has lost touch with its agricultural roots, because that stuff is still there. But it’s like two parallel events, one for the typical fairgoer who is there for the food (blech!) and popular entertainment, and the other for farmers and others (mostly from farm backgrounds, I’d wager) who are genuinely interested in the agricultural aspects of the fair.
Now back in the day I did enjoy going to county fairs to watch the tractor pull, where farmers compete to see who has the strongest tractor. Silly, but entertaining. I don’t think we even have a tractor pull at the Minnesota state fair anymore, do we?
I used to love the Texas state fair- well, at least when no one was getting shot. Loved Big Tex, the animals, the funnel cake and other junk food.
Our Tennessee state fair involves a lot of plumbers cracks and confederate flags.
“See one hog and you’ve seen them all, as far as I’m concerned”
I LOVE seeing all the different breeds of pigs, especially the heritage breeds which are making a comeback. But I think pigs are amazing creatures - and tasty, too.
Many people might not have an agricultural background, but if even for one day, they get a peek at it, that’s a good thing IMO.
And the food is fun, too, whether you actually eat it or just gawk at the audacity of what is being served. It’s once a year and it’s “fair food” not an everyday diet.
I always preferred draft horse and oxen pulls over tractor pulls.
One of my kids showed chickens (in 4H) at our county fair. That was fun.
Judging by the crowds that go through our livestock buildings, I think the city Hoosiers enjoy showing the animals to their kids. I think food production awareness is a good thing.
The ag/farm crowd appreciates quality animals and fully realizes the amount of time, hard work, and breeding that go into producing a top animal.
I fully embrace my love for ribeye sandwiches, elephant ears, and lemon shake-ups. Two days a year isn’t going to kill me 
I was at the Iowa State Fair yesterday as well. I took a fourth place for my quilt! Saw the butter cow as well as the butter Laura Ingalls Wilder. ( I’ve been going to the Fair for years, I have seen multiple cows as well as butter Elvis, Dale Earnhart, Jr, and the butter Last Supper which was featured on the West Wing). Best food at the fair is not the fried stuff on midway, but from the local producers. See the Pork Producers for Pork Chop on a Stick, the Honey Producers for Honey Lemonade (the cheapest drink at the fair and far and away the best), Lamb Producers (located just outside the sheep barns) for Lamb burgers and kabobs, get the nutty bar in the Dairy Building, and the cider doughnuts and fresh apples from the Orchard people.
I have been to many state fairs, and one of the most amazing things aobut the Iowa State Fair is how CLEAN the fair grounds stay. Even on the last day of the fair.
Congrats on your 4th place, @lolou!
When D2 was in elementary school, she always refused to leave the MN state fair until she had seen a cow poop.
Wow @lololu !!! Congrats!
My best childhood memory of the Minnesota State Fair was when my friends and I were finally old enough to go by ourselves (age 10?) We ran out of money within 15 minutes (“gambling” on Midway games in the hopes of winning stuffed animals) and spent the rest of the day trying to get free stuff. We ate oranges donated to us by the man demonstrating the Ginsu Knife and were sure we’d be famous after our radio appearance on an AM station none of us had ever heard of. It was a great lesson on having fun with no money!
Seen at the Minnesota State Fair: a t-shirt that says, “I went to the Minnesota State Fair and all I got was Type 2 Diabetes.”
I love fair food. Elephant ears and funnel cakes are a favorite.
@bclintonk - I’m going to the MN State Fair this week, and I want that t-shirt!!