State Fairs have long been a widely loved tradition since they first started up across the United States. They’ve drawn visitors from all over the country who come out in excited crowds to experience all the facts of each state’s culture that are reflected in the varying foods and entertainment. This collection of vintage photos can provide a wonderful glimpse into the fair’s storied past and spotlights how fashion, attractions, and traditions have evolved throughout the decades at state fairs.
1. Children’s Pushmobiles Ready to Run at the Indiana State Fair 1933
Those little champions are ready to cut loose big time.
2. The Beatles Live at State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis Indiana (September 3rd 1964)
The Beatles really did know how to always bring it onstage.
3. Hanging out at the Texas State Fair, 1972.
Easy times always at the state fair.
4. Alice in Dairyland and Mary Ellen Jenks standing in front of a, “Smoke Your Own Fish” stand at the 1953 Wisconsin State Fair
You already know that that fish had to have been unreasonably tasty.
5. A crowd at the State Fair, Rutland, VT, 1941
The shades pretty much steal the show here.
6. The 1968 State Fair of Texas Auto Show
The auto shows really went all out.
7. Jimmy Chan of Columbus, Ohio, expert motorcycle racer, sits astride his motorcycle, No. 16, wearing a Harley Davidson jersey and racing gear at Wisconsin State Fair Park
Now that’s a throwback ride.
8. The California State Fair in Sacramento in 1965
That car could probably really rip around.
9. The first year that the Oregon State Fair was held in Salem, Oregon (1862)
The fact that we have a photo from the first year of the Oregon State Fair might be the most impressive part.
10. Car racing at the Delaware State Fair – 1933
Car racing at the state fairs was all the rage back in the day.
11. Michigan State Fair Midway – 1936
It’s always a lively day at the Michigan state fair.
12. This guy won first place in the 1963 Greene County Iowa Fair
It’s no wonder. That’s a beast.
13. These Franklin College baseball players were photographed by Joseph E. Williams of New Athens, Ohio, attending the Wheeling, West Virginia state fair in September 1905
Always going to have some love for a solid vintage baseball jersey.
14. Best Display of Fruit at the Ohio State Fair, 1957
That’s some nice-looking fruit, indeed.
15. Someone’s great-aunt and grandmother at the State Fair of Texas, 1930
Taking things all the way back to 1930.
16. The Supremes at Wisconsin State Fair 1968
They certainly got the crowd excited and ready to bust out some new moves.
17. Cher backstage at the Oregon State Fair in 1965
Cher seems to be caught up in a moment.
18. Backstage at the show at the Vermont state fair, 1939 – Jack Delano
Absolutely love the fits.
19. Louis Armstrong at the Oregon State Fair in 1959
Louis just looking like he’s having more fun than the rest of us.
20. The State Fair, 1941
The colorization of most any vintage photo just makes it hit differently.
