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 22, 1985 - MPR’s Suzanne Strickland interviews Gale Frost about Minnesota State Fair History Museum. Frost shares a few artifact highlights and his affection for the Minnesota State Fair. Frost created the Minnesota State Fair History Museum in 1976 and serves as its curator.
August 19, 1986 - MPR’s Kate Moos reports on the many preparations involved in getting the Minnesota State Fairgrounds ready for its end of summer event. Moos interviews numerous parties as they work and fails at her attempt to become an extra judge for the baking submissions.
August 21, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal interviews various individuals on preparations for another Minnesota State Fair opening. Tasks include everthing from spraying painting the Space Needle to acquiring unglazed plates for smashing in the Midway.
August 22, 1986 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports from the poultry barn of the Minnesota State Fair. Kerr interviews breeders about their chickens and hopes for a prized animal.
August 25, 1986 - From people watching to making yard a parking lot, neighbors of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds adjust to the ordeal of hundreds of thousands of people descending on the Como area. MPR’s Kate Moos talks with a few of the local residents.
August 25, 1986 - MPR’s Stephen Smith profiles Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich as he walks the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, shaking a lot of hands and dispensing brochures.
September 1, 1986 - MPR’s Stephen Smith produces a sound portrait on a staple of the State Fair…the politician. Smith interviews various Minnesota politicians, who share their different styles in interacting with the fair crowd.
September 1, 1986 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder talks with Gale Frost, fair museum curator; and Clarence, a longtime 4H member about some memorable moments of the Minnesota State Fair.
August 26, 1987 - MPR’s Euan Kerr profiles the Letterpress Museum located at Hertitage Square on the Minnesota State Fairgounds. Kerr interviews numerous Minnesota printmakers about the print machines within museum.
August 28, 1987 - An early morning at the Minnesota State Fair with Dale Connelly and colleagues as they present a live broadcast of The Morning Show from the poultry barn. The hour includes commentary, skits, interviews, and performances…oh, and a lot of chickens.