Autumn’s arrival each year heralds the start of state and county fairs across the nation. Those stomach-churning rides, the intoxicating medley of greasy food aromas, and a barrage of boldly flashing lights provide enough stimulation to send many folks to the emergency room. I love the fair despite all its hazards, including the modern risks of inhaling gallons of fruity vaping chemicals or winding up in a viral video while getting sick behind the Tilt-a-Whirl.
Even in middle age, I still appreciate the old-fashioned fun of navigating a haunted house, watching barnyard animals race each other for an Oreo cookie, or eating my weight in footlong corndogs. You can catch some great nostalgic musical acts at the fair, too. I’m still kicking myself for missing Eddie Money (RIP) at our state fair the year before he passed.
Take a look back at these vintage photos to see how much has changed — and how much has stayed the same — at the beloved state fair.
Feat of strength
The “high-striker” game is one of the oldest carnival attractions under the sun, and from the looks of it, this wannabe strongman could have used some shades while he swung that heavy mallet.
Then again, strong biceps don’t require vision. The deep squint could be part of this player’s strategy.
For the dogs
These young women, 4-H participants, are showing off their dogs for the judges at the Oregon State Fair in 1975.
These dogs are clearly very well-trained, or they’ve been threatened with severe punishment if they dare to step out of line during their showing. (kidding, kidding)
Doozy of a trapeze show
This impressively tall rig will soon host a crew of brave trapeze artists. Those storm clouds in the background really add to the suspense.
Rutland Fair, Vermont, 1941.
A noble cause
What a sign of the times — a “suffrage tent” at the Suffolk County Fair, Long Island, New York, 1914.
“Women’s Political Union suffrage tent. Children (checked) cared for here. No charge.”
Who are you calling a freak?
Unsurprisingly, the tent housing the Human Freak Show appears to be one of the most popular at the Vermont State Fair in 1941. There’s even a line of children waiting to be admitted — or are they just hoping to catch a glimpse from outside?
Three kids per car
This attraction at the North Florida Fair in Tallahassee appears to be a “scrambler” style ride, which requires a stomach of steel to survive.
The photo of these three children was taken on October 31, 1961. What a fun way to spend Halloween!
Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Two blue first-place ribbons and a red second! This young lady looks proud of her accomplishments, as she should!
They Got My Goat
This charming entry from the Latah County Fair in Moscow, Idaho, shows three women posed in a cart being pulled by a goat. It’s remarkable that this image is more than a century old!
Load ’em up
This well-constructed ride appears to be much safer than some of the contraptions we put our kids on today, which might explain the sedate demeanor of these Colorado fairgoers in 1940.
Danger is part of the thrill of a fair, after all.
Nice place for a breather
A day of “food, folks and fun” can tire anyone out. These fairgoers are taking a rest on the manicured grounds of the 1955 Minnesota State Fair. Looks like someone won a stuffed panda bear!
According to the fair’s official website, 1955 was the first time attendance topped 1 million.
Madam Lillian will see you now
Fortune tellers are still popular today. In fact, a 2024 Pew study found that “30% of Americans consult astrology, tarot cards or fortune tellers.”
However, few of those individuals report making important life decisions based on “psychic” readings. Presumably, that means no one quit their job and joined the circus after emerging from Madam Lillian’s tent.
Cute hats
I personally prefer the idea of personalized hats over face painting, although hats might cost a good deal more now than they did in 1961. These kids at the North Florida Fair in Tallahassee seem pretty pleased with their fancy headwear.
Judging time
Livestock showing is a major component of the fair. Here’s a proud 4-H participant with her cow at the Garfield County Fair in 1973. They both deserve blue ribbons, if you ask me.
My, what long braids you have!
This is Sheryl Ann Plate, a fifth-grade student, who is beaming with pride. Sheryl just won a prize for her pigtails, which at 32″ were deemed the longest at the Illinois State Fair in 1957.
Zoom zoom
Here’s a ride that appears to be jostling its occupants about appropriately. While some kids’ attractions remain safely on the ground and follow a track, this one sends riders into a mid-air orbit in rocket-shaped cars.
Rutland Fair, Vermont, 1941.
Ruth the Acrobat
This is a sign you wouldn’t likely see at a modern county fair. Ruth the Acrobat, renowned for her flexibility, was also called the “Coney Island Acrobat.” Let’s hope she made a decent living for herself while on the fair and carnival circuit.
Dear ‘dairy’
This is Carol Willer of Quincy, Illinois. Ms. Willer was selected as the American Dairy Association Dairy Princess of Illinois in 1971.
Behind the Dairy Princess, we see an impressive array of milk and cream-themed photography.
Ride the rocket or gawk at freaks?
This angle helps to illustrate the enormous size of the Freak Show exhibit at the Vermont State Fair. All varieties of dehumanizing descriptions adorn the tent walls.
Up up and away
This colorful photo shows a scene from the 1973 Garfield County Fair Parade, which was held over Labor Day weekend in Rifle, Colorado. Livestock and beauty queens alike participated in the festivities that ushered in the annual fair.
Stay together, everyone
I would not wish to be responsible for keeping this many children together in a place as chaotic as the fair! Hopefully, those matching dresses helped their guardian keep a close eye on everyone.
This is another of Jack Delano’s photos from the Vermont State Fair in Rutland, 1941.
Zoo of oddities
Only 5 cents to see the largest snake alive and Teddy the Wrestling Bear? Unfortunately, we don’t have photos of the poor creatures advertised outside this menagerie tent.
Vermont State Fair, Rutland, 1941.
Butter me up
Although this photo is physically labeled “1953!”, its entry in the Illinois Digital Archives states that it’s from 1965.
These butter cow and butter dog sculptures are pretty magnificent regardless of the year they were created. Butter sculpting is still popular today, by the way, if you’re looking for a new hobby.
Ready for their close-ups
“Girlie Shows” were a popular attraction at many a state or county fair. These costumed entertainers are waiting for “showtime” behind the Girlie booth at the Vermont State fair in 1941.
Practice makes perfect
As we’ve seen, photographer Jack Delano did the world a favor with his beautiful shots of the Rutland Fair in Vermont. This is a “behind the scenes” moment that many would have overlooked, but Delano captured it for all eternity.
It’s hard not to wonder what’s going through the crouching man’s mind. Is he a colleague of the women, or just a stranger looking on creepily as they practice?
