State fairs

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Kansas's state animal — the buffalo — is being celebrated at the State Fair this year with a 700-pound butter sculpture.

The Hutchinson News reports that a sculptor from Iowa, Sarah Pratt, had to do some research on buffaloes before she designed this year's butter statue.

HUTCHINSTON, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State Fair officials judging the 4-H entomology entries last week discovered an invasive insect that prompted quarantines elsewhere.

Fair Board member Gregg Hadley the student who caught the bug didn't know it had prompted quarantines in at least 45 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to try to stop its spread.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State Fair wrapped up its 12-day run with total attendance of about 1.3 million, well below usual numbers as the delta variant kept many fairgoers away.

The coronavirus wiped out the 2020 state fair, and this year's comeback returned just as the delta variant was heating up.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Law enforcement officers used a chemical spray to disperse a crowd that created a disturbance at the main gate to the Minnesota State Fair as it was drawing to a close, sheriff's officials said.

ESCANABA, Mich. (AP) — Who doesn't like a corn dog?

Attendance at the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba was up 3% to nearly 100,000 people, with records set on four of the seven days, The Daily Press reported.

PUYALLUP, Wash. (AP) — Visitors to the Washington State Fair will be required to wear masks at all times as Pierce County works to stem “unprecedented levels” of COVID-19.

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — First-day attendance at the Minnesota State Fair was down by roughly half as the fair returned after missing last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With simmering concern over the delta variant, and fair officials declining to require masks or proof of vaccinations, Thursday's attendance was 61,983.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Fair has kicked off and will offer a full slate of attractions and music a year after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the annual event’s concerts, carnival and other draws.

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Youth Livestock Expo is relocating to Roswell over Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State Fair vaccination mandate.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials on Tuesday said they're nervous about the large crowds expected at the Minnesota State Fair as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to circulate statewide.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentuckians can renew their standard driver's license or upgrade to a REAL ID at the Kentucky State Fair.

Two popup stations will be open daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Main Street Kentucky area at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, transportation officials said in a statement.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — COVID-19 vaccines will be available for free at the Kentucky State Fair through Aug. 28, Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Fairgoers 12 and older do not need to RSVP or schedule appointments but must provide identification or proof of health insurance and state residency to receive a dose.

SEDALIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri political hopefuls, including a long list of candidates vying for a U.S. Senate seat, gathered Thursday at the State Fair to bolster support.

The annual Governor's Ham Breakfast is a political rite of passage in Missouri and a rare event that brings both Republican and Democratic candidates under the same pavilion to mingle.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Some are calling a requirement for everyone attending the upcoming New Mexico State Fair to show proof of vaccination anything but fair.

SEDALIA, Mo. (AP) — Mostly unmasked crowds packed into the Missouri State Fair shoulder-to-shoulder this week as it opened in Sedalia amid soaring numbers of new COVID-19 infections.

Fair officials decided in the spring to bring back the full fair after replacing it with a much smaller youth livestock show last year because of safety concerns, the St.

LEWISBURG, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia State Fair opens this week after a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The fair starts Thursday and runs through Aug. 21 in Lewisburg. The event was canceled last year.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A free clinic at the Wisconsin State Fair has administered nearly 200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far, Gov. Tony Evers' office said Monday.

The clinic has administered 194 doses since the fair opened on Thursday, the governor's office said.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia treasurer's office will hold two auctions for unclaimed property at the State Fair this month.

The auctions will take place at 5 p.m. on Aug. 14 and Aug.

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona State Fair will be staged this October at its usual site on the state fairgrounds in central Phoenix after all.

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin State Fair returns Thursday after the coronavirus pandemic canceled last year's event for the first time in 75 years.

The event runs through Aug. 15 at the 200-acre State Fair Park in West Allis.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With only two weeks to go before the 2021 Iowa State Fair kicks off, fair officials say they're still looking to fill fair job openings.

The fair still has openings in admissions, carnival rides, maintenance and parking, among other positions, television station WHO 13 reported.

LEWISBURG, W.Va. (AP) — This is the last week to buy discounted West Virginia State Fair tickets, which gets underway in less than two weeks.

The tickets may be purchased at select One Stop and Stop-In Food Stores or the State Fair website until Saturday, fair officials said.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Beef parfaits, vegan brats and Fruity Pebbles funnel cakes are among the new culinary creations being offered at the Indiana State Fair this year.

Fair officials have announced 23 new items on top of the typical fair food like corn dogs.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Visitors to this year’s Illinois State Fair will be able to visit one of the nation’s more historic highways with the creation of the Route 66 Experience.

The multiyear project will turn the Springfield fairgrounds’ Gate 2 into a year-round destination for visiting a microform of the Mother Road in Illinois, from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River in Madison.

FAIRLEA, W.Va. (AP) — The State Fair of West Virginia is set to hold its first big event in quite some time.

On Thursday night a concert featuring Riley Green is planned at the state fairgrounds in Greenbrier County to benefit the Fairlea Volunteer Fire Department, WVVA-TV reported.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The summer heat may be nearing its peak, but the South Carolina State Fair said it is time to prepare entries for the baking, animal, arts and other contests judged at the annual event.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The century-old Swine Barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will be replaced with a new multi-use facility after state officials released money for the project last month.

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota State Fair will return after staying closed last year due to the pandemic — and those who are making the trip will have 27 new foods to try.

The new foods include Asian-inspired fare, new sweet treats, and of course, some deep-fried delicacies.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Country singer Brett Young will perform this summer's Illinois State Fair.

Young will take the grandstand stage on Aug. 20, with opening act Russell Dickerson, Agriculture Department officials said.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota State Fair is back.

The fair was canceled last year amid COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and social distancing recommendations. But fair officials announced Friday the beloved event will return on Aug.

PUYALLUP, Wash. (AP) — The Washington State Fair is returning to Puyallup in September after it was canceled last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers posted on Twitter Thursday that the Washington State Fair is back, The Seattle Times reported.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Both Illinois state fairs this summer will boast a unity theme: “One Illinois.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the theme is to inspire the state to come together after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation last summer of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and DuQuoin State Fair.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz hopes giveaways including Minnesota State Fair tickets, fishing licenses and state park passes will help pick up the pace of coronavirus vaccinations in Minnesota, which has slowed.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The September spectacle featuring funnel cakes, turkey legs, livestock and art exhibits, and carnival rides plans an in-person return this year.

The New Mexico State Fair was scrapped in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, although some events took place virtually.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana State Fair will return with some changes this summer, a year after the coronavirus pandemic forced its cancellation, fair officials announced Tuesday...

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Wisconsin State Fair is preparing to return this summer after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the event for the first time in 75 years, organizers said Wednesday...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky State Fair will be open to the public this year, officials said...

DU QUOIN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois' Agriculture Director said plans are underway for a state fair in Southern Illinois after the annual event in Du Quoin was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic...

PHOENIX (AP) — This year’s Arizona State Fair will be moving away from the fairgrounds in Phoenix to a temporary new location at Wild Horse Pass near Chandler...

HOUSTON (AP) — Three mega sites to administer the coronavirus vaccine will be set up later this month at stadiums and a fairgrounds site in Houston and the Dallas area, federal and state officials announced Wednesday...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A scaled-back version of the Arkansas State Fair, without crowds, rides and concerts, was held this weekend as the event’s size was significantly reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic...