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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Ramsey County Fair Celebrates 100 Years of Fun <br /> <br />This year the Ramsey County Fair celebrates <br />its 100th anniversary. The fair began in White <br />Bear, near the location where Central Middle <br />School stands today on Bloom Avenue, and <br />was intended as a way for local farmers to <br />exhibit their produce and to learn new <br />agricultural methods that would enhance their <br />output. <br /> <br />St. Paul was a thriving city and the Ramsey <br />County farmers occupied a unique location <br />where they could deliver their produce to the <br />city with minimal transportation costs. <br />Increasing farm output would help both <br />farmer and urban consumer. <br /> <br />The first fair opened in August 1913 after <br />months of planning and preparations by <br />White Bear residents. Adolph Eberhart, <br />Minnesota’s then governor, welcomed <br />fairgoers, and there were agricultural <br />demonstrations, 4-H exhibits, crafts, and even <br />a baseball tournament. <br /> <br />Subsequent fairs drew such dignitaries as <br />railroad builder James J. Hill, who was also <br />an avid agriculturalist. <br /> <br />The fair continued to thrive in White Bear until <br />the local school board determined the land <br />was needed to expand the nearby high <br />school. In 1953 the fair moved to its current <br />location on White Bear Avenue at the site of <br />the former Ramsey County Poor Farm. The <br />iconic barn still greets modern fairgoers. <br /> <br />Over the years the dynamic of the fair <br />changed as Ramsey County’s population <br />changed. Farms gave way to suburbs, and <br />farmers were replaced by the baby boom <br />generation as the main target audience for <br />fair activities. <br /> <br />Livestock disappeared from the fair but there <br />still remains an agricultural entertainment <br />aspect as city kids can be farmer for a day <br />and attend a petting zoo. Bingo and talent <br />shows, carnival rides and live music now <br />highlight the fair’s schedule. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The fair remains a free admission event to <br />encourage kids of all ages to attend. This year <br />fairgoers can purchase a booklet for a nominal <br />charge on the history of the fair written by Gem <br />Lake resident Jim Lindner in conjunction with <br />the fair’s centennial commemorative committee. <br />The fair runs from July10-14 at 2020 White <br />Bear Avenue. Call 651-770-2626 or visit <br />http://www.ramseycountyfair.com/ for more <br />information. <br /> <br />Story and photos from City Council Member <br />Jim Lindner <br /> <br />The top photo highlights the horse show at the <br />1938 Ramsey County Fair. The participants <br />pictured are Gem Lake residents Eileen Bigelow <br />(left) and John Daniels (right). Bottom photo <br />shows a 1926 horse pulling competition at the fair <br />when it was still held in White Bear.