1898: Camp Ramsey, the Spanish American War mobilization point for First, Second and Third Regiments of the Minnesota National Guard (later known as 12th, 13th and 14th Regiments of Minnesota Volunteers) was established on the fairgrounds during the summer.
120 Years
1903: Pacing stallion, Dan Patch made his first appearance
115 Years
1908: William Jennings Bryan, politician, opened the Fair on Monday, August 31 ★ First milking machine was exhibited ★ Last year of the second Grandstand (permanent Grandstand built in 1909)
95 Years
1928: Livestock Pavilion officially changed its name to Hippodrome ★ Dorothy June Landis and Archie Alfred Philips were married in a hot air balloon and it was broadcast on KSTP Radio
90 Years
1933: First “Everybody-Pays Policy” ★ First year Royal American Shows ran the Midway (through 1994) ★ “Thrill Day” established and included a locomotive collision ★ First fair to have four Ferris wheels in one location
85 Years
1938: Arcade Building built by Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) ★ Commissary Building built by W.P.A. ★ 4-H Building construction began by W.P.A.
80 Years
1943: Army Air Corps took over the livestock buildings for a WWII airplane propeller plant
65 Years
1958: Minnesota celebrated its Centennial of Statehood ★ Minnesota Pioneer Woman statue erected in honor of the centennial ★ Pioneer Portrait Hall built (now Ramberg Center)
55 Years
1968: Merchandise Mart built ★ Home Improvement built
40 Years
1983: Fairborne joins Fairchild as the State Fair’s second mascot
35 Years
1988: First llama show
30 Years
1993: Kiddieland introduced on Machinery Hill (became Kidway in 1995)
25 Years
1998: The North Woods introduced on Machinery Hill
20 Years
2003: Web launch of Fairborne’s Fabulous Fair Food Finder ★ Grandstand Plaza built (part of a multi-year Grandstand renovation project) ★ Little Farm Hands introduced on Machinery Hill
15 Years
2008: International Bazaar – new construction, larger, and replaced the former bazaar ★ Susan Warner created a mosaic in honor of Minnesota’s sesquicentennial
ANNUALS
2023
50th annual Amateur Talent Contest (started in 1973)
