Minnesota Public Radio, which started reporting from the Minnesota State Fair as far back as 1972, began a yearly tradition of live broadcasting from its booth at the corner of Judson and Nelson in 1991 (taking over the old WLOL-FM spot). The location has since become an important community spot for sharing ideas, intercultural representation, and topics unique to the Fair itself. MPR was the first media organization to have an entire day dedicated to them in the form of MPR Day, held the Friday before Labor Day in Dan Patch Park (formerly known as Carousel Park). The MPR booth has featured Gubernatorial debates, appearances by senators and important public figures, and live performances by a wide range of local musicians and writers. MPR hosts Gary Eichten, Cathy Wurzer, Kerri Miller, Bob Potter, Beth Friend, and numerous others, have filled the air over the past three decades with live Fair broadcasts that both informed and entertained. There was also the longtime broadcast of the Morning Show hosted by Jim Ed Poole and Dale Connelly, bringing their distinctive humor to the street intersection.
The Minnesota State Fair’s permanent 320-acre home along Snelling Avenue in St. Paul contains historical buildings which host a slew of exhibitors, plants, animals, arts, and plenty of jam. Big outdoor attractions include a multitude of food, Midway carnival rides, livestock (with smells), and daily shows and grandstand performances. It’s a busy, busy 12 days that MPR Archive has attempted to capture in this audio collection as varied as food on a stick. A report on Little Irvy, the freeze-dried whale…check! Andean folk band…indeed! Differences of the Pronto pup and the Poncho Dog…got it! Former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz pitching his milk…yep! Here is your audio ticket to those stories…and so much more.
August 24, 1978 - MPR’s Dale Connelly visits the Minnesota State Fair on opening day. He records the sounds and voices that make up the ‘Minnesota Great Get Together.’
August 20, 1980 - MPR’s Tom Meersman profiles some of the operations that take place at the Minnesota State Fair, including safety and commerce.
August 22, 1980 - John Anderson, Independent presidential candidate, speaking in Minneapolis Auditorium at Minnesota State Fairgrounds, as part of his "National Unity" campaign. More than 2,000 of the devoted and the curious paid three dollars each to hear Anderson speak.
August 25, 1980 - MPR’s Mary Stucky talks with various vendors and food lovers about saltwater taffy, lefse, Czech sausage, kolache, and Tom Thumb donuts, amongst other delicious fare at the Minnesota State Fair.
August 26, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly interviews neighbors of the Minnesota State Fair in the Como area. Not surprisingly, there are differing opinons about the human masses that appear in late August every year.
August 27, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly visits the Minnesota State Fair horse barn. Connelly talks with Elmer Jones, who raises Belgian horses, and trainer-rider Simone Tremblay.
August 6, 1983 - Jerry Hammer, publicity manager of the Minnesota State Fair, shares background on a few of the more well-known slogans of fair, including the theme ‘The Great Minnesota Get Together.’
August 30, 1983 - Yes, it’s another story on fair food. MPR’s Jim Ragsdale reports on the stratagies of fair-goers amongst the 320 concessions at Minnesota State Fair.
August 23, 1984 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder presents a short profile on the history of Minnesota State Fair. Schroeder interviews fair publicity director and fair board president.
August 31, 1984 - MPR’s Jo Ann Shroyer reports on the atmosphere of the Minnesota State Fair in the early hours of day. Schmidt interviews participants and exhibitors, who share their experiences at fairgrounds. While animals are also a part of the report, they are not interviewed.