Garrison Keillor on the Joys of the State Fair

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  06.17.09 | 11:49 AM ET

Just in time for summer, Mr. Lake Woebegon—have you seen all the words he’s trademarked?—writes about the ten chief joys of the state fair in National Geographic. I like No. 3:

To mingle, merge, mill, jostle gently, and flock together with throngs, swarms, mobs, and multitudes of persons slight or hefty, punky or preppy, young or ancient, wandering through the hubbub and amplified razzmatazz and raw neon and clouds of wiener steam in search of some elusive thing, nobody is sure exactly what.

If you’re a Harper’s subscriber and you haven’t already read it, the archive has more great state fair writing from David Foster Wallace. (via @Marilyn_Res)

Tags: Americana, Shameless Self-Promotion, North America, United States, News and Briefs


2 Comments for Garrison Keillor on the Joys of the State Fair

Valerie 06.17.09 | 2:05 PM ET

I’ve never been much of a state fair enthusiast, but I am disappointed that I won’t be able to attend the Minnesota State Fair when I hit Minneapolis this summer - I’ll be there a month too early. Based on my cousin’s descriptions, as well as Keillor’s write-up, it sounds like quite the quintessential Minnesota experience.

Grizzly Bear Mom 06.18.09 | 9:29 AM ET

I was raised on a farm in a family of artists and remembering being in 4-H and winning six ribbons in the first fair I entered.  Although I now live in the suburbs and commute to DC daily, I always visit the state and county fairs.  Whenever I visit, I am greatful that these “salt of the earth” men and women work so diligently to provide for us, and the simple wisdom of the farm mentaility such as “you have to sow in spring, hoe in the hot summer sun, and reap a farvest in fall to eat in the winter.”  I make a point ot visit all the home-ec, gardening, animal and art exhibitions, and am awed by the beauty and bounty they create.  I am saddened that I don’t see the same love for the land, passing on of tradition and diligence in the next generation.

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