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The American Fair - Trivia

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• We call it Cotton Candy these days but it was better known as Spun Sugar when it was first invented.

• It was during the Saint Louis World's Fair of 1904 that fairgoers first ate hot dogs and ice cream cones as they walked. They were the world's first “fast food”.

• Elkanah Watson, called the father of agricultural fairs, gave state fairs their start. A wealthy New England farmer and businessman, he showcased his sheep under the great Elm tree in the public square in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1807.

• The nation's first state fair was held in Syracuse, New York in September 1841. A few years later came the Allentown Fair (Pennsylvania) and Indiana State Fair (1852), Iowa State Fair (1854) and the Minnesota State Fair (1859), among others. The roots of the State Fair of Texas date back to 1886 and the San Diego County Fair to 1880.

• Fairs and food have always gone together. The word fair is derived from the Latin “feriae,” meaning feast, and reflects that a feast was the main event at Medieval fairs.

• Recipe competitions have always been a highlight of fairs, beginning most likely with canning and preserve showcases. Nothing says "bragging rights" better than a blue, red or white ribbon next to a dish. Competing is often an annual "event" for members of an entire family who cook and bake for days, sometimes weeks leading up to the fair's pre-registration deadlines and entry drop-off dates.

• Butter sculptures originated in 1903 to publicize the dairy industry. Back then they featured cows, barnyard scenes, politicians or celebrities. Up to 880 pounds of butter was needed to create a single, solid cow butter sculpture. Nowadays, sculptures often start with a wood and wire frame instead of solid butter.

• There are dozens of food-on-a-stick varieties at state fairs. They now range from the crazy...deep fried butter, candy bars and alligator...to the classic...corn dogs and cotton candy...two perennial favorites.

• Rarely do state fairs close their doors. For example, since its inception, the Minnesota State Fair has been held every year with only five exceptions. It closed in 1861 and 1862 due to the Civil War and the Dakota Indian Conflict, in 1893 because of scheduling conflicts with the World Colombian Exposition in Chicago, in 1945 due to war-time fuel shortage, and in 1946 due to a polio epidemic.

• Fairs are family oriented events. In 1863 the secretary for the Iowa State Fair wrote, “Do not be afraid to bring your wives and daughters. Parties having ladies in company will receive special consideration from the superintendent of the camp.”