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 2, 1991 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports on the varied acts that make up Minnesota State Fair talent show, which includes singers, dancers, and comedians. While many performances are memorable, it’s not always for the reason one would expect.
September 2, 1991 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy takes a walk around the Minnesota State Fair during the early morning hours and finds that smells predominate, not people.
September 2, 1991 - From MPR Minnesota State Fair booth, Midday's Labor Day guests are Christine Mituzak, Community Service and Education Director at the Minnesota AFL-CIO and Tom O'Connell, Labor Studies Coordinator at Metropolitan State University. They discuss labor movement and labor unions today. This is followed by interviews with Minnesota politician Gerry Sikorski and author Alexs D. Pate.
August 5, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with local critic and author Karal Ann Marling about controversial art at the Minnesota State Fair. Marling share shares her thoughts about fair in general.
August 26, 1992 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on the surprising success and challenges of the cup recyling program at the Minnesota State Fair.
August 26, 1992 - This is a test. These stations are conducting a test of the State Fair preparedness system. This is only a test….1991 Blue Ribbon winning worrier Susan Berkson, in conjunction with the broadcasters of Minnesota Public Radio, formulates these simple rules for Fair readiness.
August 27, 1992 - MPR’s John Biewen talks with Gale Frost, Minnesota State Fair museum curator, about the public’s fascination with the State Fair. Frost collects fair artifacts as “markers” of past events.
August 27, 1992 - MPR’s Tom Fudge decides to do a first-hand report on being a bungee ride participant at the MInnesota State Fair. He finds there is a little paperwork involved.
August 28, 1992 - MPR’s Karen Boothe records commentary of various vegetable growers attending the Minnesota State Fair.
August 28, 1992 - Susan Berkson, resident worrier commentator, shares concerns about installation of a bungee jump ride set up directly ACROSS the street of the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair.