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.
September 3, 1987 - MPR’s Kate Moos reports from the Creative Activities Building at the Minnesota State Fair. Moos talks with artists, contestants, visitors, and judges about the over 4,000 items selected for display.
September 5, 1987 - MPR’s Mark Heistad talks with Virginia Deemer Mosiman, a woman who received a 50 Year Award at the Minnesota State Fair. The award is presented annually to individuals who have actively participated in the Minnesota State Fair for 50 years as an employee, exhibitor, vendor and/or volunteer.
August 25, 1988 - MPR’s Bill Catlin talks with some of the workers at the Minnesota State Fair. It’s hard work, including overcoming negative “carnie” stigmas.
August 29, 1988 - MPR’s Jim Bickal creates an audio montage of various sounds, voices, and music from the Minnesota State Fair.
December 10, 1988 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Brian Walter, spokesperson of Our Fair Carousel, who shares the news of a last-minute purchase of the longtime carousel at the Minnesota State Fair. It was up for auction and going to be pieced out.
August 24, 1989 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews State Fair curator Gale Frost about the many changes in public interest over the Minnesota State Fair’s history.
August 24, 1989 - MPR’s Karen Boros reports on politicians doing more than people watching. Boros interviews numerous Minnesota politicians on the importance of meeting, talking, and even dancing with fair attendees.
August 25, 1989 - MPR’s Kate Smith reports on the final year of the carousel at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It has been a fixture of fair since 1914. The carousel was sold in 1988 to the non-profit organization Our Fair Carousel, with plans to preserve and relocate in St. Paul.
August 23, 1990 - MPR’s Donna Nicholson reports on visiting soviet farm managers touring the Minneosta State Fair. The group is studying American farmers stewardship of the land.
August 27, 1990 - MPR’s Kate Smith visits the Minnesota Letterpress Museum located at Heritage Square on Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Smith talks with printers as they work the linotype machine and print fair newspaper.