The "best" State Fair???

[Bird]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

I spent just a couple of hours at the Air and Space Museum one Saturday, then most of the day another Saturday in the rest of the Smithsonian (walked through way too fast). I just didn't have enough time; would love to go back when I had a whole week to spend there.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Thanks for the suggestions, guys, and appreciate the links also. So much to do . . . so little time. Also, have heard the Smithsonian was very good - if head east will try to hit that. Since no one mentioned visiting the Warp Museum am enclosing a link. This was started by a private individual and is organized to show the evolution of technical improvements, examples: A series on outboard motors, the evolution of road graders from horse drawn to motor driven, a series of rooms at 20 year intervals showing development of kitchens/parlors/bedrooms etc., development of farming equipment, etc. etc. etc. etc. It is far more extensive than the Ford museum in Dearborn (though it has nothing comparable to Greenfield Village). When we were there it was not crowded - it is so far out of the way and there is an admission (which reduces the number of people to those more interested).

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming. JEH

www.pioneervillage.org

 

[TCowner]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Minnesota used to have a great state fair from the perspective of a farmer or anyone else who loved machinery. But about 6 or 7 years ago the farm machinery manufacturers decided not to display any farm equipment at what used to be known as "machinery hill". John Deere still has a sizable display but it all lawn and garden equipment, a few compact tractors, skid steers, etc. No longer do you get to see the 4 or 5 big guys showing their latest and strongest. Machinery hill is now reduced to carnival rides for the kids. There are no signs of rugged men in bibbed overalls. Now all you see on machinery hill is the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbanite in his polo shirt, (well tanned of course) shorts, the cutoff socks that barely show above his $100 Nike's and his sunglasses dangling around his neck. Throw in a gold chain or two and that's what you have. Its a little depressing. I remember going to the Minnesota state fair with my grandfather in the 60's and being tortured as we slowly made our way to the John Deere tent. In 1960 looking at a new John Deere 730 with that bright yellow paint on the hood made my heart skip a beat. Later in the 60's, with the 4010 and later 4020, the euphoria continued. Oh well, times change as they say, but no necessarily for the better.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

TCowner: Great piece of information - exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. Missouri's isn't like you describe Minnesota's fair has become. I guess because there is still some smaller/diversified farm activity here. In fact, I remember the first time I went to the Missouri fair concluding that it wasn't "phoney" the way I thought it might be. Manufacturer's, of course, have to go with their market. But, as you so well point out, the original purpose was to "show off" equipment, livestock, etc. The team that won the horse pull contest was worth more for breeding, etc. etc. Thanks for cluing me in on the Minnesota fair - though had thought about that one. We use a supplier for bronze headstones from NW of Minneapolis and had thought about visiting their factory. Thanks. JEH

 

[Bird]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

I'd forgotten all about the Warp Museum. We stopped there on the way back from Alaska in July '72; very interesting place.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Bird: Another 30 years of "stuff" has been added since you were there in '72. They have warehouses of stuff you can't even get into. Warp's parents had homesteaded in the late 1800s and he went to Chicago and started a plastics company (still around). He invented a bunch of stuff including flexible plastic wrap and (I think) plexiglass. Anyway, he dumped lots of money into buying examples of technological advances and was very focused on showing the evolution of technology, thus, many, many series of first product, next product to be developed, and so on. I suspect, though I don't know for certain, which is partly the reason for this thread, that it is almost unique in its scope. Perhaps anyone who has been there, and other similar places, can clue me in if there are similar, but more extensive, places. JEH

 

[Loges1]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Reaper,
I go to the Missouri State Fair every year. I have probably only missed six out of the last thirtysix years. I can tell the scope of the machinery has changed. Last year Cat was about the only one that had their big dogs out. It used to be that every one brought out the biggest and baddest for the fair. Now its mainly lawn mowers and CUTs.
When I was younger the whole family would go to the fair just to check out the new farm equipment and ALL the livestock, and only that. I was probably almost in my teen years before I realized that there was a midway with rides and games and scantily clad women. I ain't been the same since

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

Loges1: Yeah, that Cat exhibit was something. No wonder the farmers are in deep doo doo having to buy machines like that! A combine that costs more than a small farm, house and all the equipment to run it, and, depreciates over the years. No wonder farmers have to run faster and faster, going further and further into debt, just to keep afloat! JD had some larger tractor's though nothing like the Cats. I don't doubt the Missouri Fair is less complete than previous years (although I have no first hand knowledge), but, the manufacturers/dealers have to follow the market. There's a bigger market for CUTs than the big stuff. I think the idea is to see "new" stuff you might not otherwise see. For example, I saw my first Zetor at last year's fair. Also, did see some things I didn't know about. There wasn't much in the way of implements though. What I like about the Missouri fair is that it seems "real" in the sense that a lot of the people are from a farm background. Breeder's seem (when you chat with them) really interested in what they are doing. I guess if you went year after year there might not be as much "new" stuff as there seems to someone with less experience. I thought the fair very worthwhile as a "learning" experience (at least for me). Which was the purpose of this thread - to see which other state fairs may offer even more.

By the way, where were the scantily clad women on the midway - I didn't see any. Must have missed them!

JEH

 

[Loges1]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

I still see something new every year at the fair,and still look forward to going. Now days I go to compete in the Missouri Team Penning finals, but as soon as I catch a break I head over to the farm exhibits and the FFA building.
When I was a kid the fair was like a mini vacation to us. Nothing to do that day but feed, and my dad would do that early. I wouldn't even have to help. It didn't get much better than that.
BTW it's not really a fair, but the Fort Worth Stock Show is something to see.

 

[PitbullMidwest]

Re: The \"best\" State Fair???

<font color="blue"> I have heard that Iowa has an excellent fair </font>

You heard right, it's one of the oldest and largest fairs in the country. While in the area, check out the "Living History Farms" and be sure to eat at the Iowa Machine Shed

Iowa State Fair .