A Ferris wheel debuted at the State Fair (the first one was invented for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago)
125 Years: 1901
Vice President Theodore Roosevelt spoke to the Grandstand audience and uttered the famous phrase, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
120 Years: 1906
James J. Hill dedicated the original Livestock Amphitheatre (Hippodrome)
Dan Patch, one of the greatest harness race horses of all time, set the world pacing record of 1:55 minutes on closing day, Sept. 8, at the Grandstand
115 Years: 1911
6,000 lbs. cheese round from Pine Island was exhibited in the Dairy Building
First state-wide Boy Scout Encampment – 500 boys camped at the fairgrounds; one troop from Granite Falls hiked to and from the fair, a distance of 296 miles
Annual Fine Arts Exhibition debuted
110 Years: 1916
First greenhouse built on the fairgrounds
Officer’s Cottage (now the J.V. Bailey House) became a year-round residence for the State Fair’s gardener
105 years: 1921
Cattle Barn completed (partial use of the barn in 1920)
100 Years: 1926
Tilt-A-Whirl amusement ride debuted at the State Fair
The nightly evening Grandstand show “1776” celebrated 150 years of U.S. independence
95 Years: 1931
Hottest day on record during the fair: 104 degrees on Sept. 10
90 Years: 1936
Swine Barn (now Christensen Pavilion) constructed
Logging camp replica cabin was built on Machinery Hill (it was moved and is now the Territorial Pioneers Cabin)
80 Years: 1946
No fair due to polio epidemic
75 Years: 1951
The new Hippodrome (now known as the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum) was completed
Original Administration Building (the alms house of the Ramsey County Poor Farm) was razed after damaging windstorms
Last year of stunt flying at the State Fair
65 Years: 1956
FFA Children’s Barnyard began
60 years: 1966
Happy Birthday! Fairchild made his debut as the State Fair’s official mascot
55 years: 1971
Last year of a 10-day fair
The new “Gateway to Progress” arches welcomed visitors at the Snelling and East Commonwealth (Dan Patch) avenues entrance
The Bandshell, the largest free stage on the fairgrounds, was built
Creative Activities Building erected
Conservation Department renamed Department of Natural Resources, and two ponds replaced the formal fountain on the south side of the cabin
50 years: 1976
Century Farm Homestead recognition program began
State Fair History Museum debuted at Heritage Square (History & Heritage Center replaced it in 2014)
Annual State Fair button debuted
35 years: 1991
Visitors Plaza opened
Pet Center opened (has since been remodeled as the Hangar)
New recyclable beverage cups were used by concessionaires
Moo Booth educational exhibit opened in the Cattle Barn
30 years: 1996
Vice President Al Gore visited the State Fair and gave a speech to thousands on Machinery Hill
A naturalization ceremony was held at the Bandshell for 653 new U.S. citizens
25 years: 2001
Miracle of Birth Center joined the FFA Children’s Barnyard
SkyGlider added to the north end of the fairgrounds
Adopt-A-Garden program began
20 years: 2006
CHS Miracle of Birth Center and FFA Chapter House & Leadership Center opens, expanding the popular exhibit formerly housed in the FFA Children's Barnyard
Eco Experience in the Progress Center debuted, focusing on renewable energy and environmental issues
15 years: 2011
State Fair debuted its new smartphone app, which featured Food and Fun Finders, Merch Search and mapping tools
Giant Sing Along debuted
First Military Appreciation Day
10 years: 2016
Hen House exhibit added to the CHS Miracle of Birth Center
Recipe Card Roundup (prize-winning recipes) given out at the Creative Activities Building
Garden Kaleidoscopes (metal sculptures featuring spinning flower bowls) debuted in the Agriculture Horticulture Building
New Family Fair Stage constructed at Baldwin Park
5 years: 2021
Joyful World Mural Park debuted
Adventure Park moved to Judson Avenue, west of the Dairy Building
Beginning Exhibitor Livestock Learning Experience (BELLE) Grant program debuted and awarded grants to 15 youth livestock exhibitors
