War Time

War Time
Historical Timeline
1854
Overview
Its Beginnings
Early Years
Permanent Home
Fair Board Created
1919 - 1929
The Great Depression
War Time
Talent Search Debut
The 1960s - Heritage Fairs
The 1970s - Discovery Fairs
1976 - 1979
1980 - 1989
1990 - 1999
2000 - Present
Conclusion
2012
Lloyd B. Cunningham, a Howard County farmer and Fair Board director, was named secretary-manager to succeed Arthur R. Corey in 1941. The first Fair under Cunningham's direction was a patriotic dedication featuring defense exhibits and demonstrations by the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The principal event of interest was the National Tall Corn Contest, won by a corn stalk 23 ft. 2.5 in. tall. New contests included an Iowa Quiz Derby for teams of schoolchildren and Iowa's first statewide Farmers Horseshoe Pitching Tournament. Horseshoe pitching remains a regular daily Fair activity today.
The Fair became a wartime casualty in 1942 when the Board turned its many fireproof buildings over to the Army Air Corps at a token rental to be used as a supply depot. Even plans for a limited 4-H Fair were canceled in the interest of gasoline and tire conservation. This was only the second time the Fair had been canceled; the previous omission occurred in 1898; factors in its cancellation were the World's Fair held in Omaha that year and the Spanish-American War.
After World War II ended, Iowa's 1946 Centennial celebration provided an ideal theme for the renewal of the Fair. Noteworthy among the exhibits was a display of the nation's aerial might, plus other weapons and armaments which helped gain victory for the American and Allied forces.
During the 1946-1950 period, the G.I. Farm Family Contest, designed to honor Iowa's outstanding veteran farm family, was introduced. A Farm Gadget Contest, encouraging inventions to make farm work easier, was also added. In 1950, the first Iowa State Fair Queen was selected.
About Us
- History
- Its Beginnings
- Early Years
- Permanent Home
- Fair Board Created
- 1919 - 1929
- The Great Depression
- War Time
- Talent Search Debut
- The 1960s - Heritage Fairs
- The 1970s - Discovery Fairs
- 1976 - 1979
- 1980 - 1989
- 1990 - 1999
- 2000 - Present
- Conclusion
- Employment
- Volunteering
- Sponsorship
- Fair Dates
- Daily Attendance
- Green Initiatives
- Blue Ribbon Foundation
- Board Members
- Contact Us
- E-Newsletter Signup

