Cumberland Kiwanis
Minutes of March 15, 2010
St. PatrickÕs Day
John Westin
In keeping with the day, John Westin opened the meeting with
a rousing rendition of Danny Boy, the unofficial national anthem of Ireland.
Jerry Hammer
Speakers: Jerry Hammer, Director of the Minnesota
State Fair
Topic: History of the Minnesota State Fair
Mr. Hammer presented us with
an extensive account of the Minnesota State Fair from its origins down to the
present day. He noted that the
fair is one of the largest such events in the world and brings in over $200
million in business to the Twin Cities each year. An early settler, a Col. Stevens, played a key role in founding
the fair. The first territorial
fair was in 1857 and it featured a hot air balloon, which ended up near Forrest
Lake, MN. Early fairs were held in
many locations, including Ft. Snelling, Rochester, Owatonna, Red Wing, and St.
Cloud. In 1885 Ramsey County
donated the land of the county poor farm to establish a permanent site.
Hammer then followed with accounts
of the various buildings on the fair grounds, along with important historical
milestones and their effects on the fair.
Included were such events as the visit of Teddy Roosevelt as Vice
President, days before the assassination of President McKinley. There was a steam car in 1905, the
running of the famous horse Dan Patch in 1905, a Wright Flyer in 1909, the
building of the current grandstand in 1905, and a Civil War reenactment. The 1914-18 fairs focused on food
production for the war effort.
John Phillip Souza played in 1927.
The fairs continued through the depression, adding even staged train
wrecks. The Midway started in 1938.
During WWII, focus was on the Victory Garden. Polio outbreak caused cancellation in 1945/46. Machinery Hill was added in 1948. Along with local radio stations, TV
broadcasts were added in 1970.
Following the talk, members
shared their personal experience in attending the fair.