Kansas State Fair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kansas State Fair |
|
|---|---|
.png)
2019 logo
|
|
2014 aerial view
|
|
| Genre | State fair |
| Dates | 10 days (starts Friday following Labor Day in September) |
| Location(s) | 2000 N. Poplar St., Hutchinson, Kansas, USA |
| Years active | 1913–2019; 2021– |
| Attendance | 330,044 (2023) |
The Kansas State Fair is a big yearly event in Hutchinson, Kansas, USA. It's a special kind of fair called a state fair. The fair starts in September, right after Labor Day, and lasts for 10 exciting days. It's the biggest event in Kansas, bringing in about 350,000 people each year! The fairgrounds cover a huge area of 280 acres and have over 70 buildings.
Contents
History of the Fair
The Kansas State Fair has a long and interesting history. Before it settled in Hutchinson, early state fairs were held in other Kansas cities like Topeka and Wichita during the 1800s.
Early Fairs in Reno County
The very first fair in the Hutchinson area started on January 18, 1873. It was called the Reno County Agricultural Society. Their first fair was small, held in a stable in Hutchinson.
People loved it, so they planned a bigger fair for 1874. Even though voters didn't approve a tax to help, the society found land and held the First Annual Reno County Fair in 1875. This fair offered awards like certificates and small cash prizes.
Later, in 1878, the fair changed its name to the Reno County Agricultural and Joint Stock Association. They bought new land and continued to hold fairs. The fair moved again and was renamed the Arkansas Valley Fair Association in 1885. This fair grew a lot, adding new buildings and even a racetrack.
Becoming the Official State Fair
The fair we know today officially began on February 7, 1901. A group of people met to start a new fair association. They called it the Central Kansas Fair Association. Their first fair was held on 50 acres of land in Hutchinson.
In 1903, the state government officially recognized the Central Kansas Fair. This meant they could truly call their event "The Kansas State Fair."
To make the fair even bigger, more land was bought in 1912. Voters in Reno County agreed to pay for this new land. The state government also agreed to support the fair financially. The first "official" Kansas State Fair was held from September 13 to 20, 1913.
Over the years, many famous buildings were added. The Old Mill, with its water channels, was built in 1915. The House of Capper, a covered porch, was added in 1916. It's been used for many things, even as a bandstand!
The Cottonwood Court was built in 1928 and used to be an automobile building. The Grandstand and the Domestic Arts Building were both built in 1930. In 1931, a sandpit was turned into a beautiful area called Lake Talbott. The Encampment Building, built in 1934, even housed prisoners of war during World War II.
Sadly, the fair was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time in 107 years it had been canceled, even through the Great War and World War II!
Fun at the Grandstand
The fair's grandstand is a super exciting place every evening! You can watch all sorts of shows there.
- There are live concerts with popular music artists.
- You can see thrilling demolition derby events where cars crash into each other.
- There are exciting auto races.
- You can also watch powerful truck and tractor pulls.
Amazing Exhibits
The Kansas State Fair has over 1,000 places for businesses and vendors. But it's not just about shopping!
- There are more than 30,000 entries in different competitions. People show off their skills in everything from cooking to crafts.
- The fair is also a great place to learn. It has a special program called "Kansas' Largest Classroom" for school field trips.
- You'll find lots of entertainment too, with performers walking around and shows on different stages.
In 2021, something really interesting happened with an exhibit. A 4-H member submitted an insect collection. In it was an invasive bug called a spotted lanternfly. This bug had never been seen in Kansas before! The boy had correctly labeled it, and the fair judges knew how important it was. They told state and federal officials, which helped track the bug.
Year-Round Activities
The fairgrounds aren't just used for the annual State Fair. They are busy all year long!
- Many different events happen there, like horse and livestock shows.
- You can find RV rallies, trade shows, and flea markets.
- The buildings are also used for private events like wedding receptions, family reunions, and company picnics.
See also
- State fair and Agricultural show
- Cosmosphere, a space museum in Hutchinson
- Strataca, a salt mine museum in Hutchinson
