50+ Lifestyles

State Fair Time

By Eloise Graham
Editor-in-Chief

State Fair an American musical film, first produced in 1945, is a musical adaptation of a 1933 film with the same name. The musical score is original music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical was remade in 1962. It is a story about a farm family as they set out for three glorious days of adventure, against the colorful backdrop of an American heartland tradition – the State Fair. But did you know that it is not just any state fair that was the idea behind this? It was the Iowa State Fair.

So I did a little research on state fairs. Here are some of my findings:

History of the Illinois State Fair

The first Illinois State Fair opened on October 11, 1853. Admission cost was 25 cents. The attractions included cattle, horses, and sheep venues, among displays of reapers, mowers, farming tools, and a variety of corn planters. On the third day, over 15,000 people attended. The fair was a success, netting $853 in profits with $1500 in premiums paid out to prize-winning exhibits. There were a total of 765 entries in all areas. For the next 40 years, the Illinois State Fair was hosted by twelve different cities including Freeport, Chicago, Alton and Olney. It settled permanently in Springfield in 1894. During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, no fairs were held. During this time the fairgrounds were used as a supply base for the Army Air Force. After the war, the fair began to increase its exhibits on modern living, on industry and labor, on education and on entertainment for the general public.

History of the Iowa State Fair

The first Iowa State Fair was a three-day event held in Fairfield, Iowa on October 25 to 27, 1854. The Iowa State Fair and many of the county fairs were managed by the Iowa State Agriculture Society. Admission to the fair was 25 cents. The influx of people from across the state into Fairfield was estimated at 7,000 or 8,000. Besides the agricultural aspect of the fair, there was an entertainment feature that made the greatest impression on the spectators. It was an exhibition of horseback riding by women; the official description ”female equestrianism.” Ten performers, each wearing various colored ribbons competed against each other.

Our State Fairs still have agriculture displays, livestock entries, quilting and handiwork, jams and jellies, produce… but, oh the entertainment! The midway with it’s tilt-a-whirls and Ferris wheels, games of chance, everything deep-fried and, of course, the Grandstand performances. All big names!

Dates for both Illinois in Springfield and Iowa in Des Moines are August 13 – 23. There are also many local fairs to attend! Enjoy the Fair!