Congresswoman McCollum's Statement Honoring the 100th Anniversary of the Ramsey County Fair
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the many dedicated volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors and visitors of the Ramsey County Fair on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of this community festival. This annual fair attracts thousands of attendees through a wide variety of events and activities that entertain families today.
The Ramsey County Fair began in 1913 in White Bear Lake, Minnesota as a simple agricultural event where farmers showcased produce and livestock as well as recent innovations. As the rural parts of Ramsey County gave way to suburban development during the 1950’s, the fair had to adjust its events to appeal to a new generation of visitors. Creative arts activities and shows became more prevalent than traditional agriculture. As local historian Jim Lindner has said “the fair had to change to stay relevant, and it did.” In 1953, the White Bear Lake School Board purchased the former fairgrounds to expand a local school, forcing the fair to find a new home. The fair opened in its current location in Maplewood, Minnesota in 1954 on what was known as the Ramsey County Poor Farm.
As the Ramsey County Fair prepares to begin its second century of community celebration, the event continues to educate, entertain and delight families from across the Saint Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area. Mr. Speaker, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Ramsey County Fair, I am pleased to submit this statement to the Congressional Record.