Since the State Fair is presently having it's centennial, it seemed appropos to make a blog article about the fair's history. So far, I've only got a "starter" going at the blog, but here are some other pics that I'll be adding, these of the State Fair which opened in October 1907 at 10th & Eastern (now MLK) and while at that location.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fairentrance.jpg

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fairaerial.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair1910.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fairgrounds_coaster.jpg

The state fair's website is http://www.oklahomastatefair.com/ and it's "history" page (not yet with anything in it) is here: http://www.oklahomastatefair.com/history.asp .

It looks like coats & ties were the uniform of the day! No Hawaiian shirts, bermuda shorts, sandals? No halter tops, short shorts or skirts? Gawd! :stars:

Great stuff as always Doug.

It looked better then than now!

I wonder if the Bozo Dunk Tank clown just read poetry out loud back then :cool18:

I wonder if the Bozo Dunk Tank clown just read poetry out loud back then :cool18:
When talking about "fair stuff," good question! :boff: :boff: Back in the earlier days of the fair, concerns were less about "dunk tanks" than really really small guys ("24") and other human and other anomolies ... in days gone by, impolitely called freaks.

Anyway, I've finished processing my "vintage" State Fair pics ... some of those in the initial post may not display there since I've renamed all files in photobucket "state fair" area ... and, in this post, these are my 14 selected "vintage" State Fair pics ... I may/may not add some others if I find them relating to the North Canadian floods that caused the fairgrounds to move from NE 10 & Eastern (MLK) to their current location ... but, for now, this is it (for vintage pics) ... I've not yet added these to the blog post or the accompanying text which preceded them ... and, as an aside, it was not a "sure" thing that the Oklahoma State Fair would land itself in Okahoma City in the few years before the 1st Fair in 1907 ... that will be covered in the blog's text info, not yet done.

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 1, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1982)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair14.jpg

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 1, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1982)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair13.jpg

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 2, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1983)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair12.jpg

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 1, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1982)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair11.jpg

Credit Ok County Assessor's Website
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair10.jpg

Credit Ok County Assessor's Website
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair09.jpg

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 2, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1983)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair08.jpg

Credit Ok County Assessor's Website
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair07.jpg

Credit Ok County Assessor's Website
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair06.jpg

Credit Ok County Assessor's Website
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair05.jpg

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 2, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1983)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair04.jpg

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 1, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1982)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair03.jpg
Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 1, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1983)

Credit Vanished Splendor, Vol 1, Edwards & Ottaway (Abalache Book Shop Publishing Co. 1982)
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair02.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/fair01.jpg

And, when making comparisons, do remember that these vintage postcards were stylized renerings and, while they may have captured the "spirit" of the day, they did not necessarily capurate the "picture" accurately. When I get done with the text for the blog, you will also see that, way back when, there were proponents/opponents of various sorts of things at the fairgrounds (should it have come to be, as it did) ... e.g., alcohol sold on the fairgrounds, dealing with vagrants, shysters, etc.

Researching and presenting Oklahoma City history is just flat fun!

Went to the fair tonight, and I think the improvements being made out there are really nice. I was actually impressed with the grounds. They looked better than in past years. And I'm glad they've changed the names of the buildings. The name Cox Pavillion is better than International Building.....the International name was a misnomer since they no longer have international exhibits in that building. And the Kitchens of America Building is now the Centennial Building. And the Made in Oklahoma Building is now simply called the Oklahoma Expo Building. The new names at least don't look as idiotic.

Went to the fair tonight, and I think the improvements being made out there are really nice. I was actually impressed with the grounds. They looked better than in past years. And I'm glad they've changed the names of the buildings. The name Cox Pavillion is better than International Building.....the International name was a misnomer since they no longer have international exhibits in that building. And the Kitchens of America Building is now the Centennial Building. And the Made in Oklahoma Building is now simply called the Oklahoma Expo Building. The new names at least don't look as idiotic.

Patrick: In your opinion, is the fair still as boring as it has been, or is it once again worth the money? And why? (please allow Patrick to answer this. Thank you)

Patrick can answer this but I will add to the thread if you don't mind Mr A..

We went on Opening Night.. we had Dr Pepper cans which enabled us to save $8 per person on the wrist bands - unlimited rides.. next Thursday too.

Since our family loves thrill rides, it was well worth it. Free parking, $8 Admission tickets and $12 Ride Bands.

We are a family of four so no, it's not a cheap night but it was really fun and I felt we were making some great memories. Nothing like hanging upside down and screaming together as a family. lol

Anyway, we saw the Great Cats, the Wild Kingdom Animatronic animals disply... which was small but really cool. We saw the High Dive show - cheesy but fun to watch the diver dive 80 feet. We loved the petting zoo because it was hysterical to see two adolescent goats rear up, veer sideways and attempt to head butt one another.. they were really funny to watch.

We had Indian Taco, a Turkey Leg, Pizza on a Stick, Two slices of Pizza and a Calzone throughout the night.. plus Lemonade and a few beers.. so yeah, it wasn't cheap.

We ran out of time since it was a school night but we had a great time.. I love the rides at night and I didn't get to ride a lot but we went on the bumper cars at least 10 times.. no lines.. and that was a blast.

So, all in all I think the Fair is really fun for families who like rides.. we love them so we had a great time. __________________

Yes. Of course. I only meant I specifically wanted his opinion since we often had threads on how bad the fair has been over the years.

My wife and I went Sunday afternoon, last day of the fair, and had a fine time ... and, of course, got the stuff for a new blog post, following up on the historical one ... http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2006/09/state-fair-2006.html ... here are the pics I took, w/o much accompanying text.

Some Buildings

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_01.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_02.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_03.jpg

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_05.jpg

Tall Stuff

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_06.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_08.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_07.jpg

Oklahoma Hall of Fame

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/2006fair_09.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/state%20fair/halloffame01.jpg

New Photos Of Old Stuff

A couple of pics I bought from Mr. Verstraete ... at $22.95 a pop, I had to have them nonetheless since I'd never seen them before ... but you get the small versions for free!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/movies/libertytheater1926.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/movies/warner1956_7.jpg

OKC Philharmonic Untuxed

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Going Home At Sunset

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We had a very great afternoon & early evening!

Woulda never thought I'd see the philharmonic playing barefoot...

Woulda never thought I'd see the philharmonic playing barefoot...
Yeah, the audience loved it! What would really be cool is if the good professor has a pic from Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour which could be juxtaposed with the pic from Sunday afternoon! I think I'll ask him ... I've already e-mailed him the blog link and reiterated that my wife and I considered the Philharmonic's Chamber Ensemble to be our personal State Fair highlight, and he replied very kindly ... so I guess no harm would be done by asking about a Ted Mack pic!

Ah, the old Warner Theatre. And a Beverly's next door!

You have the admit, the fairgrounds are looking better.

Ah, the old Warner Theatre. And a Beverly's next door!
Yep, a good pic of the Warner would probably have been enough to sell me, but throw in a Beverly's? No way I could not buy that picture! :tweeted:

You have the admit, the fairgrounds are looking better.

Yes, but they need to do something with the old sidewalks and roads.