The State Fair of Oklahoma kicks off today with all the associated joys of corn dogs, rides and midway games. The fair has evolved over the years. With that in mind here's a walk down memory lane of images from fairs past.
The midway at the 1933 state fair. View of the dirt parking area used by visitors to the State Fair of Oklahoma in September of 1941. Fair was still at its old Eastern/NE 10 location at this time. Staff photo dated 9/27/1941.State Fair of Oklahoma taken Sep. 21, 1979 and ran in the Daily Oklahoman Sep. 30, 1979 with caption "Game operator Nick Campese calls out to the passing midway crowd in attempts to attract customers to his booth." Staff photo by David Longstreath"Here is the largest class of cattle judged at the State Fair. Seventeen 4-year-old Jersey cows, owned by exhibitors from four states. There are usually four to eight entries in any judging class, but this one sets a new mark here." Cattle judge in center of exhibitors is F. W. Atkeson of Manhattan, KS. Staff photo dated 9/25/1935; photo ran in the 9/25/1935 Oklahoma City Times.An act at the 1944 State Fair. The children of Governor Robert S. Kerr-- Kay Kerr, 12; Bill Kerr, 6 and Breene Kerr, 14--try out the Octopus ride at the state fair. Photo is dated 10/7/1943, but probably taken in September of 1943 during the actual run of the state fair.Jane Jayroe helps kick-off State Fair of Oklahoma. Staff photo by Tony Wood 9-23-1967ORG XMIT: KOD SFThe observation tower at the state fairgrounds in the 1960s. The Enterprise ride in the early 1970s. Fair visitors in the early 1960s.
<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-d601cd772e9f4b0e98c01a11f1e998b4.jpg" alt="Photo - ORG XMIT: KOD SF" title="ORG XMIT: KOD SF"><figcaption>ORG XMIT: KOD SF</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-5576d3cd527276ce24fac8d70a601156.jpg" alt="Photo - View of the dirt parking area used by visitors to the State Fair of Oklahoma in September of 1941. Fair was still at its old Eastern/NE 10 location at this time.
Staff photo dated 9/27/1941." title="View of the dirt parking area used by visitors to the State Fair of Oklahoma in September of 1941. Fair was still at its old Eastern/NE 10 location at this time.
Staff photo dated 9/27/1941."><figcaption>View of the dirt parking area used by visitors to the State Fair of Oklahoma in September of 1941. Fair was still at its old Eastern/NE 10 location at this time.
Staff photo dated 9/27/1941.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-6a4d3331546d6de17faee1053028adc6.jpg" alt="Photo - State Fair of Oklahoma taken Sep. 21, 1979 and ran in the Daily Oklahoman Sep. 30, 1979 with caption "Game operator Nick Campese calls out to the passing midway crowd in attempts to attract customers to his booth." Staff photo by David Longstreath" title="State Fair of Oklahoma taken Sep. 21, 1979 and ran in the Daily Oklahoman Sep. 30, 1979 with caption "Game operator Nick Campese calls out to the passing midway crowd in attempts to attract customers to his booth." Staff photo by David Longstreath"><figcaption>State Fair of Oklahoma taken Sep. 21, 1979 and ran in the Daily Oklahoman Sep. 30, 1979 with caption "Game operator Nick Campese calls out to the passing midway crowd in attempts to attract customers to his booth." Staff photo by David Longstreath</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-1aed3a567863c99dfcb2094abd16886e.jpg" alt="Photo - "Here is the largest class of cattle judged at the State Fair. Seventeen 4-year-old Jersey cows, owned by exhibitors from four states. There are usually four to eight entries in any judging class, but this one sets a new mark here."
Cattle judge in center of exhibitors is F. W. Atkeson of Manhattan, KS.
Staff photo dated 9/25/1935; photo ran in the 9/25/1935 Oklahoma City Times." title=""Here is the largest class of cattle judged at the State Fair. Seventeen 4-year-old Jersey cows, owned by exhibitors from four states. There are usually four to eight entries in any judging class, but this one sets a new mark here."
Cattle judge in center of exhibitors is F. W. Atkeson of Manhattan, KS.
Staff photo dated 9/25/1935; photo ran in the 9/25/1935 Oklahoma City Times."><figcaption>"Here is the largest class of cattle judged at the State Fair. Seventeen 4-year-old Jersey cows, owned by exhibitors from four states. There are usually four to eight entries in any judging class, but this one sets a new mark here."
Cattle judge in center of exhibitors is F. W. Atkeson of Manhattan, KS.
Staff photo dated 9/25/1935; photo ran in the 9/25/1935 Oklahoma City Times.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-f9e31abf76907f5ecc2846b00e77f3e0.jpg" alt="Photo - ORG XMIT: KOD SF" title="ORG XMIT: KOD SF"><figcaption>ORG XMIT: KOD SF</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-dbf1b17b433e0afc7027f113e34b25f7.jpg" alt="Photo - ORG XMIT: KOD SF" title="ORG XMIT: KOD SF"><figcaption>ORG XMIT: KOD SF</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-7761f2f382258df85eda7658c8b7f374.jpg" alt="Photo - The children of Governor Robert S. Kerr-- Kay Kerr, 12; Bill Kerr, 6 and Breene Kerr, 14--try out the Octopus ride at the state fair.
Photo is dated 10/7/1943, but probably taken in September of 1943 during the actual run of the state fair." title="The children of Governor Robert S. Kerr-- Kay Kerr, 12; Bill Kerr, 6 and Breene Kerr, 14--try out the Octopus ride at the state fair.
Photo is dated 10/7/1943, but probably taken in September of 1943 during the actual run of the state fair."><figcaption>The children of Governor Robert S. Kerr-- Kay Kerr, 12; Bill Kerr, 6 and Breene Kerr, 14--try out the Octopus ride at the state fair.
Photo is dated 10/7/1943, but probably taken in September of 1943 during the actual run of the state fair.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-75cce9a1be54e71c344cd08ccefebe31.jpg" alt="Photo - Jane Jayroe helps kick-off State Fair of Oklahoma.
Staff photo by Tony Wood
9-23-1967" title="Jane Jayroe helps kick-off State Fair of Oklahoma.
Staff photo by Tony Wood
9-23-1967"><figcaption>Jane Jayroe helps kick-off State Fair of Oklahoma.
Staff photo by Tony Wood
9-23-1967</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-6a69275afc7ea56f6505390fb3116322.jpg" alt="Photo - ORG XMIT: KOD SF" title="ORG XMIT: KOD SF"><figcaption>ORG XMIT: KOD SF</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-5f426adbbb96573ab8a15a9ddb954ec4.jpg" alt="Photo - ORG XMIT: KOD SF" title="ORG XMIT: KOD SF"><figcaption>ORG XMIT: KOD SF</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-4725f88d784cbed7ad1845d028884113.jpg" alt="Photo - ORG XMIT: KOD SF" title="ORG XMIT: KOD SF"><figcaption>ORG XMIT: KOD SF</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-bc83364763afc84480db48f2d2be55bb.jpg" alt="Photo - ORG XMIT: KOD SF" title="ORG XMIT: KOD SF"><figcaption>ORG XMIT: KOD SF</figcaption></figure>
Matt Patterson
Matt Patterson has been with The Oklahoman since 2006. Prior to joining the news staff in 2010, Patterson worked in The Oklahoman's sports department for five years. He previously worked at The Lawton Constitution and The Edmond Sun....
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