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 29, 1994 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer hosts local musicians Prudence Johnson, Gary Rue, American jazz violinist Randy Sabien at MPR’s Minnesota State Fair booth. Wurzer interviews group, who also perform for live audience.
August 29, 1994 - Minnesota author Susan Carol Hauser reads essay on her childhood memories of her family visiting the Minnesota State Fair back in the 1950’s.
August 30, 1994 - MPR’s Lorna Benson aks a group of farm kids at the Minnesota State Fair about their future plans, and if it includes farming and agriculture. The four young men share thoughts and concerns over present day farming.
August 31, 1994 - For the Great Minnesota Green Up Day at the State Fair, MPR’s Cathy Wurzer hosts a panel discussion on environmental protection and preventing waste. Panelists include Kevin O'Donnell, team leader in the waste prevention unit of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance; Jane Bruss, president and owner of Source Reduction Services and founder of the Women Consumer Advocate Network (WomenCAN); and Geoffrey Saign, a freelance writer.
September 2, 1994 - MPR’s John Rabe takes a wireless into crowd outside MPR booth to get an idea of why they are at the Minnesota State Fair.
September 2, 1994 - Live from the Minnesota Public Radio State Fair booth, MPR’s Beth Friend hosts a special September edition of First Friday. Highlighted are the cast from the Penumbra play “Spunk,” vocalist Ruth Mackenzie demonstrates Swedish cow calls, the band Cave Music offers punk with a smile, Dancing Elvis Dads perform, and a visit State Fair art exhibit.
September 2, 1994 - On this edition of Voices from the Heartland, Susan Berkson's reads her essay on the differences of the Minnesota State Fair once the sun goes down. The lights turn on, the kids go home…and the teenagers roam.
September 3, 1994 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews potter Bob Briscoe and home economist Diane Undis about the nuances and varities of the proper hot dish.
September 3, 1994 - MPR’s Beth Friend profiles crop artist Lillian Colton. Segment includes a guided tour of Colton’s artwork at her home and Colton introducing crop art to young fairgoers at the Minnesota State Fair.
September 5, 1994 - MPR’s John Rabe walks and records the Minnesota State Fair. Rabe interviews various fairgoers and shares some ‘insightful’ commentary along the way.