A nostalgic trip through the state fairs of the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. Over 200 photographs, authentic advertisements, and other memorabilia illustrate the thrill shows, butter queens, sideshows, dancing girls, tractor shows, carnival rides, auto races, hog barns, and square dances of the American state fair.

A summertime entertainment staple of most states, these eagerly anticipated annual get-togethers present fair-goers with a dizzying juxtaposition of divergent sights, sounds, and aromas, not to mention entertainment options that range from high-flying midway thrills to more staid livestock shows and farm equipment displays. Step right up and take a closer look at this nostalgic photo history which begins with the advent of State Fairs as agricultural expositions in the 1800s and continues through the 1960s.