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 4, 1995 - MPR’s John Rabe walks the Minnesota State Fair with Dan Patterson, who is lactose intolerent. For those with the medical condition, the whole fairgrounds is a thrill ride.
September 4, 1995 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on the specialized communications utilized by Midway carnies in pulling in fairgoers to play games for prizes.
August 22, 1996 - On this special All Things Considered live at the Minnesota State Fair, Kevin Kling performs a piece from "Diary of a Madman."
August 22, 1996 - Excerpt of former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz stumping with constituents at the Minnesota State Fair. MPR’s John Rabe briefly interviews Boschwitz.
August 22, 1996 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the changing dynamics of the Minnesota State Fair, with more metro-centric visitors. The State Fair dates back to 1855, before Minnesota was a state, when organizers wanted to promote agriculture to entice people to settle in the area. Fair officials insist the focus on agriculture hasn't changed, although the presentation has.
August 22, 1996 - Excerpt of U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone stumping with constituents at the Minnesota State Fair. MPR’s John Rabe briefly interviews Wellstone.
August 23, 1996 - MPR's John Bischoff reports on a security force of 350 people canvassing the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, prepared to quell any disturbance and maintain...if not peace, at least a semblance of public order.
August 23, 1996 - Garrison Keillor hosts his annual “Minnesota Quiz” in MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Audience members try to answer various questions about for prizes. Topics of quiz include state history, sports, weather and arts. Gary Eichten briefly closes out program.
August 26, 1996 - MPR’s John Rabe visits Minnesota autor Pete Hautman at the Minneosta State Fair to talk about pigs and his book, “Mortal Nuts.” Hautman shares how his book owes much to the Fair experience.
August 28, 1996 - MPR’s Bob Collins interviews Ben Frazier on finally becoming a Minnesota delegate for the Democratic National Convention. A mainstay in running the DFL booth at the Minnesota State Fair, Frazier is now in Chicago to participate in convention.