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The state fair is a unique American tradition. Some of the oldest state fairs have been around for over 150 years, and have only become more and more popular as the years have passed.

Most state fairs started out as agricultural and livestock gatherings and competitions, meant to promote these industries in the home state.
Meanwhile, the more domestic side of farm life was highlighted by pie baking contests or flower growing competitions.

Many fairs would travel around the state in these early days, being hosted by a new city every year. Back then it was difficult for farmers to move their livestock over long distances, and so the fair eventually came to settle into a traditional location where the whole state would come together at the annual early fall or end-of-summer celebration.

Have fun at the fair!

Today, agriculture and livestock are both still a big part of most state fairs, but the attractions have evolved to include things like regional foods, live music concerts, and a Midway filled with amusement park rides.

More classic state fair attractions have come to include hand-crafted butter sculptures (often life-sized recreations of cows, sheep - or even Mount Rushmore) along with more edible cholesterol-raising concoctions including BBQ, corn dogs, funnel cakes, and even deep fried Coca Cola. Tests of strength and other unique competitions have also come to characterize much of what a state fair is all about.

Of course not all state fairs are created equal. Some are old and are steeped in tradition, like the New York State Fair, while others are more recent additions to the ranks. Today, some of the most popular US state fairs include Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas, all of which regularly attract more than a million people annually. Of these, the Texas State Fair is by far the most popular, attracting some three million fair goers every year.

State fairs are a wonderful attraction that the whole family can enjoy, and there is such a wide variety of entertainment and cultural events available that everyone will find something to thrill them at the fair. Have fun!

More in street fairs & festivals:

also see in Recreation -> Amusement Parks | Reenactment

Summer Concert Schedule | U.S. Fall Foliage Tours

More about US state fairs around the Web :

State Fair Dates.com - The complete US listing directory from A-Z.

County Fairgrounds USA - Searchable database of county or state fairs in all 50 states.

ExpoCentral.com - Browseable A-Z list with related state resources.

Country Fairs - Extensive list of fairs and festivals by city, county or state.