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Although not technically agritourism since they don't take place on a farm or ranch, state fairs are a part of the broader spectrum of agricultural destinations for the public.
The state fair tradition started in 1841 when an agricultural industry group organized the country's first state fair in Syracuse, New York. This inaugural New York State Fair iteration featured animal exhibits and a plowing contest. Soon after, agricultural powerhouses like Minnesota and Iowa launched their state fairs, which became outlets for what today is called infotainment and edutainment.
State fairs brought rural Americans together for socializing and giddy contests. The second part of their dual mandate was to educate the public about agricultural advancements and promote farming, the dominant industry at the time. In 1900, agriculture constituted over 15% of U.S. GDP, a share that has shrunk to less than 1% today.
State fairs are big business. The Texas State Fair has the largest attendance at 2.5 million people, followed in second place by the Minnesota State Fair with a 2.0 million attendance, which captures 38% of the state's population, making it the most popular.
State fairs are a foodie's paradise. This year, the Iowa State Fair, along with its regular offerings, featured 88 new foods. These were the top winners:
The Minnesota State Fair has 33 new foods this year. Here's a sample:
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